Linda Robson broke down in tears as she talked about her Birds of a Feather co-star and “best friend,” Pauline Quirke, whose dementia diagnosis has just recently been made public after her husband shared the news.
Loose Women star Robson has been friends with Quirke, 65, since childhood, and as she reflected on her decades-long friendship with the former actress on Thursday’s show, she became tearful.
The 66-year-old was asked by ITV co-star Christine Lampard about her closeness with Quirke, whose husband Steve confirmed this month had been diagnosed with the disease in 2021.
“Linda, over the weekend of course we know you posted on social media about your very close friend, Pauline Quirke and we were all very upset to hear what she and all of the family are,” Lampard began during the ITV chat show.
“I know it’s very important to you to keep it private Linda, that’s what you said on Instagram. I don’t want to talk about her illness at all, I understand that entirely that’s the family’s decision and yours.
“But what we want to talk about is the incredible friendship you have with Pauline and you’ve had for so many years. I actually didn’t realise you knew her at such a young age.”
“I’m 10 years old and we were at the same primary school together,” Robson detailed, adding: “And we did everything together.
“So yeah, I mean we travelled all over the world with Birds of a Feather and everything and we went to amazing places, and because of Birds of a Feather it opened many doors.”
The presenter continued: “She was an amazing actress as well and she’s got the most beautiful family, her lovely husband Steve who was the love of her life, and then her kids as well – she’s got two kids and she’s got two granddaughters as well.
“But we sort of did everything the same, we had great times back in the day.”
Linda Robson burst into tears as she discussed her friendship with Pauline Quirke
“You’ve lived this extraordinary life together and now you’re going through another chapter but obviously you’re there for her and she’s there for you,” Lampard noted to her co-star.
Touching on the heartbreaking diagnosis, Robson continued: “My mum had dementia and I mean loads know people, one in two people get dementia now, it’s like the biggest disease going.”
After reminiscing on some of their adventures together, Robson seemed visibly emotional.
“It’s just lovely hearing all of the stories,” Lampard summarised as Robson became tearful.
Her co-stars began to console her, comfortingly touching her shoulder as she wiped away tears.
“Thank you for sharing,” Lampard concluded before Robson co-star’s could be seen hugging her.
Earlier this month, Quirke’s husband Steve Sheen announced her retirement from acting following a dementia diagnosis in 2021.
In a statement, he said: “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).”
He confirmed that while her acting career has concluded, her performing arts academy, with approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, will continue operating.
Quirke’s last public appearance was at Windsor Castle in February 2023, where she received an MBE for her contributions to entertainment and charitable causes.
In a recent social media post, Robson labelled Quire her “best friend” as she issued a heartbreaking statement alongside a sweet snap of the two together.
