Lesley Joseph shut down questions about Pauline Quirke’s dementia on Good Morning Britain – after heartbroken Linda Robson claimed ‘I’d rather have cancer, at least then you have a chance’.
The actress, 79, appeared on the ITV show on Friday to encourage over 50s to date.
Charlotte Hawkins and Robert Rinder were keen to find out how her Birds of A Feather co-star Pauline has been doing since sharing her dementia diagnosis.
Lesley said: ‘I have to say what a wonderful actress she is. What a joy she has given.
‘Not just in Birds Of A Feather, in Broadchurch, in Emmerdale, I take my hat off to Pauline Quirke.
‘She’s amazing. I wont talk about her at the moment, her illness, that’s private.’
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Lesley Joseph shuts down questions about ‘wonderful’ Pauline Quirke’s dementia on Good Morning Britain – after heartbroken Linda Robson claimed ‘I’d rather have cancer, at least then you have a chance’
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Pauline and Lesley pictured together back in 1998 on Birds Of A Feather
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The actress, 79, appeared on the ITV show on Friday to encourage over 50s to date with presenters Charlotte Hawkins and Robert Rinder
Pauline’s family have made it clear that they will be dealing with Pauline’s health struggles in private and do not intend to provide commentary on her condition.
Lesley’s comment comes after Linda Robson revealed Pauline ‘no longer recognises me or her children’ amid her decline.
The Loose Women star, 66, admitted she has known about the Birds Of A Feather star’s diagnosis for three years as she shared an update on her close friend, 65.
In an upsetting admission, Linda said she would ‘rather get cancer’ over dementia ‘because at least then you’ve got a chance’.
Pauline married TV producer Steve Sheen in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, while the actress also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.
Linda told The Sun at Monday night’s TV Choice Awards: ‘It’s very sad. We’ve been best friends since we were ten. I’ve known [about the diagnosis] for three years and we’ve managed to keep it quiet.
‘She doesn’t know who anybody is. She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are. Dementia is terrible – I’d rather get cancer because at least then you’ve got a chance.’
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Linda Robson, 66, has revealed Pauline Quirke, 65, ‘no longer recognises me or her children’ amid her heartbreaking dementia diagnosis
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The Loose Women star admitted she has known about the Birds Of A Feather star’s diagnosis for three years as she shared an update on her close friend (pictured together 1989)
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In an upsetting admission, Linda also said she would ‘rather get cancer’ over dementia ‘because at least then you’ve got a chance’
Linda also revealed to MailOnline she had been privately supporting Pauline by phoning her.
She said she had spoken to Pauline on FaceTime but there was ‘not much conversation’. She said: ‘I’ve been FaceTiming. There’s not much conversation but it’s just nice to see her face really.’
Linda also discussed the warm reaction she has had from people who speak to her about Pauline, saying: ‘Yeah people do say, “sSorry to hear about your friend.”‘
Revealing her plans to see her soon, she added: ‘She’s in the best place and she’s got family looking after her. Hopefully I’m going to go and see her next week.’
Linda was joined by her Loose Women co-stars at the event and she was quick to dismiss any speculation about strife in the ITV camp.
When asked if it was nice to be out with the Loose Women, she said: ‘Yeah it is really, really nice. Everyone talks about feuds, there is no feuds.
‘We’ve all been mates, I’ve been doing it for 20 years. But it’s been going for 25 years. I feel lucky that I’m still doing it.
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Linda said: ‘She doesn’t know who anybody is. She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are.’
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Linda also revealed to MailOnline she had been privately supporting Pauline by phoning her (Pauline Quirke pictured in 2022)
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Her husband Steve Sheen announced in a statement last month that the the Birds Of A Feather star would be ‘stepping away from all commercial and professional duties’ after living with the disease for four years (pictured together)
‘We’ve got the younger ones on as well now which is really nice. Myleene, Frankie Bridge, Olivia Attwood. Then the oldies. I’m one of the oldies now! I never dreamt I’d be one of the oldies.’
It was reported last week that Pauline can no longer recognise family amid her devastating battle with dementia.
Her husband Steve Sheen announced in a statement last month that she would be ‘stepping away from all commercial and professional duties’ after living with the disease for four years.
Then Maurice Glen, who co-wrote the sitcom which made Pauline famous alongside pal Linda revealed her condition had sadly ‘gathered pace’.
Telling the publication: ‘She’s still only 65 so your heart goes out to her. Initially, she felt she was beginning to lose her grip. Now, we understand she struggles to identify members of her own family.’
Maurice said how fellow Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph, 79, telephoned him shortly before the statement was made public last month.
‘[Lesley asked] if Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, had been in touch, I told her no. “Well,” said Lesley, “he’s going to go public about Pauline to put a stop to all the speculation”.
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Pauline married her husband Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, while the actress also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship (pictured in 2010)
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Now Maurice Glen, who co-wrote the sitcom which made Pauline famous alongside pal Linda Robson , 66, revealed her condition had sadly ‘gathered pace’ (top to bottom: Linda, Lesley Joseph and Pauline in Birds of A Feather)
Rumours of a rift between Pauline and co-star Linda emerged when Pauline quit Birds Of A Feather in 2017 and her character, Sharon Theodopolopodous, was absent from the 2020 Christmas special, a year before her diagnosis.
A devastated Maurice, who co-wrote the sitcom with Laurence Marks, said: ‘I’ve always said that Pauline’s talent made our words sound better. It couldn’t be sadder.’
It comes after Pauline’s son Charlie said he had been ‘moved’ by the flurry of messages of support he’d received following Pauline’s diagnosis being made public.
Taking to his Instagram Stories to share a snap with his mother as he spoke about the diagnosis for the first time.
He penned in the caption: ‘Hi all, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of you for your messages of support, kind words about my beautiful mum and stories you have.
‘We, as a family are very moved and touched by all of them, and they have put a smile on all of our faces. We appreciate each and everyone of you. Thank you.’
Pauline’s co-star Linda has also spoke of ‘best friend’ Pauline’s dementia diagnosis in a heart-wrenching Instagram statement.
Linda, who played Pauline’s on-screen sister Tracey, wrote: ‘This will be the only time I speak on behalf of my best friend, Pauline.
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A devastated Maurice (L) who co-wrote the sitcom with Laurence Marks (R) said: ‘I’ve always said that Pauline’s talent made our words sound better. It couldn’t be sadder,’
‘For the past three years, I’ve been in close contact with her husband, Steve, and have spent time with Pauline.
‘It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness. Out of respect for her family and her privacy, I will not be discussing this matter further. Linda x’
Pauline starred on Birds Of A Feather alongside Linda and Lesley Joseph from 1988 to 1999, and in a revival from 2014-2017.
While Linda has shut down rumours of any past feuds, The Mail on Sunday first revealed that a seemingly irreparable rift had developed between Pauline and Linda, whose bond once helped cement their reputation as among the UK’s most popular double acts.
Insiders said there had been ‘real and tense issues’ which resulted in Pauline refusing to take part in the 30th anniversary show, which aired in 2019.
At the same time, Linda grew closer to co-star Lesley, who plays man-eating neighbour Dorien Green, and the pair reportedly decided not to ask Pauline to take part in 2020’s Christmas special.
The fall-out seemingly marked an end to Pauline’s much-loved character of Sharon, whose absence was explained by the character heading off on a cruise.
As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a Bafta-nominated performance in The Sculptress.
In a statement revealing Pauline’s diagnosis for the first time, her husband Steve 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.
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As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress
‘Her talent, dedication and vision have touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA [Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts] 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 continued: ‘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.’
Elsewhere during the Good Morning Britain episode, the woman who was kicked out of Peter Kay’s recent gig in Manchester has insisted that she was ‘just showing the love and his reaction was overboard’ – and has insisted that she will never support him again.
Myar Curran, 25, and Philip Peters, 54, were both kicked out of the audience of the comedian’s recent show Better Late Than Never (Again) at the AO Arena in Manchester last weekend.
The incident has hit headlines over the past week and care worker Myar appeared in a segment on Good Morning Britain on Friday give her side of the story.
The incident also saw her get ejected from the crowd for chanting ‘we love you Peter’ before he called her ‘Lisa Riley’ because she looked like the Emmerdale actress.
Speaking to the ITV show, Myar said: ‘I didn’t mean to cause any harm, I was just showing my love as he kicked someone out but he obviously didn’t like it.’
She added: ‘I feel like what I said wasn’t abusive, wasn’t aggressive, it wasn’t antisocial.
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Peter Kay heckler kicked out of gig insists ‘I was just showing love and his reaction was overboard’ – as she defiantly vows NEVER to support him again on Good Morning Britain
‘I wasn’t drunk. I was standing up chanting “We love you Peter, we do.”
‘I feel like it’s been taken a bit overboard and a bit over the top, his reaction.’
The ITV show told viewers that Myar doesn’t want an apology from funnyman Peter. They also explained that she doesn’t plan on going back to any of his gigs in the future.
Peter said in a statement to the ITV show: ‘At the show on Saturday night, February 8th, in Manchester I had two hecklers disrupting from the very start” he said in the statement posted on Instagram.
‘I did my best to address the situation and made light of it, as any comedian would, but unfortunately, their interruptions continued.
‘I then tried to ignore them, hoping they’d settle down, but when the disruption persisted into the second half of the show, I asked the audience around them if they were being bothered by the noise.
‘They all shouted “yes”, and when I asked for a show of hands, at least forty raised theirs.
‘At that point, I had no choice but to take action.
‘The lady who was escorted out did bear a striking resemblance to Lisa Riley, though I don’t see how that’s an insult.
‘This was only the second and third time I’ve had to ask someone to leave during my 114 shows over the past three years of this tour.
‘As a comedian, you never want to eject anyone, but when repeated disruptions make it impossible to continue, it’s important to consider the experience for the rest of the audience, who’ve paid to see the show without interruption.’
Myar wasn’t the only person kicked out of the audience during that gig.
Philip Peters, 54, and his 24-year-old son were told to leave after Philip shouted ‘garlic bread’.
Myar, who was sitting in the same area, was then thrown out shortly after.
