Pauline Quirke’s colleagues have aired their support for the legendary actress.
It comes after Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen announced on Tuesday that the actress, 65, had been diagnosed with the condition in 2021 and has made the decision to step back from all work. In recent years, Pauline has taken a step back from public-facing work but her condition means she will no longer carry out work behind the scenes.
The actress, 65, launched The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts across the country in 2017, setting up the extracurricular centre for young people who want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. But now her colleagues at the academy have echoed the support as fans rally around Pauline.
In a statement, they said they were “deeply moved by the messages” following Steve’s sad announcement. Taking to Instagram, The PQA said: “We have been deeply moved by the messages that we have received and it has been wonderful to see how many lives Pauline has touched through her work with PQA and in her 50-year career in film and television.
“Improving the lives of young people through the performing arts has been PQA’s ethos since Pauline and Steve (Sheen) opened their first academy in 2007, and remains central to everything that we do. We want to assure you all that things will continue as normal at PQA and that we remain committed to delivering outstanding performing arts tuition.
“We hope you will join us in sending our love and support to Pauline, Steve and their family as well as respecting their wishes for privacy.” Pauline’s work with the academy saw her bestowed with an MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to young people, the entertainment industry and charity.
In a moving statement, her husband Steve, who also worked on Birds of a Feather said: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of Dementia in 2021. Pauline has been an inspiration through her work in the film and TV industry, her charity endeavours and as the founder of the very successful Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).
“Her talent, dedication, and vision have touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA where her vision and guidance has facilitated many young peoples’ progression and interest in the Arts and enhanced their self-confidence. Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years.
“In drama, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress, was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch. Demonstrating her acting versatility, she also starred or appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, Thieving Headmistress, My Family, You, Me and the Apocalypse, and of course Emmerdale.”
He went on to add: “During her epic 50 year career, Pauline has been nominated for many awards, including Best TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards.
“In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours. It was a heartfelt recognition of her incredible work with young people, her contributions to entertainment, and her dedication to charitable causes Her acting career has now come to a close, but Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline’s ideology. Our experienced senior leadership team will maintain the Academies’ success and growth, building on the foundations, ethos and philosophy that Pauline has inspired from the beginning in 2007.
“We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. For the time being we will not be engaging in interviews or making further statements, since Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren. We are deeply grateful for the support from her peers, the public, and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA.”
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