“EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT” — PAULINE QUIRKE’S SON SHARES EMOTIONAL UPDATE ON ACTRESS’S DEMENTIA BATTLE, REVEALING WHAT THE FAMILY IS FIGHTING TO PRESERVE

The beloved “Birds of a Feather” star was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. Her son Charlie says she is still happy, surrounded by loved ones, and that the family is determined to make the most of every moment together.

The family of British actress Pauline Quirke is holding tightly to the moments that still bring them joy as she continues living with dementia.

Her son, Charlie Quirke, recently shared an emotional update about his mother’s condition, offering a glimpse into how their family is navigating life with an illness that gradually changes the person they love.

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine in September 2026, Charlie reassured viewers that his mother was doing well emotionally, despite the unpredictable nature of her condition.

“Mum, she’s great. Every day is different, it’s part of our journey,” he said.

He explained that the family continues to spend time together and make room for the everyday experiences that still mean so much.

“We still do as much as we can, we still go out for lunch,” Charlie shared, adding that he had even made her sit through a West Ham football match.

He also credited the closeness of their family for helping them navigate the difficult journey.

“We’ve got such a close family unit that it makes it easier on our journey. But touch wood, she’s happy.”

For those who have followed Pauline’s career for decades, the update offers a deeply personal reminder that behind the familiar television star is a woman whose family is doing everything possible to keep her surrounded by love.

A diagnosis that changed the family’s world

Pauline Quirke, best known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in the long-running BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021.

Her husband, Steve Sheen, publicly announced the diagnosis in January 2025, explaining that she had decided to step away from professional and commercial work.

The family later revealed that the first signs of something being wrong had appeared in late 2020.

Steve recalled that Pauline had struggled while reading a script. She contacted him and explained that the words were no longer going in as they should.

At first, they struggled to accept what might be happening.

They initially wondered whether her difficulties could be related to other health problems, rather than dementia.

The eventual diagnosis came as a devastating shock.

Pauline was 61 when she was diagnosed, highlighting that dementia is not exclusively a condition affecting older people.

“My mum knows exactly who we are”

In November 2025, Charlie and Steve appeared on BBC Breakfast to speak more openly about the family’s experience.

One of Charlie’s most moving revelations was that his mother could still recognise her loved ones.

He explained that whenever she saw members of the family, she would smile, laugh and express affection.

“She knows exactly who we are,” he said, describing how she would greet them with warmth and tell them she loved them.

For Charlie, those moments remain precious.

He also spoke about the emotional difficulty of watching a progressive illness affect someone who has always played such an important role in his life.

“My mum has always been my best friend, and dementia hasn’t changed that,” he said.

He described her as happy, content and loving for as much of the day as she could give them.

But he also acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with the condition.

“Every day is different for all of us, and that is no different for mum.”

The family does not know what the future holds

Steve has previously admitted that the family does not know exactly what stage of dementia Pauline is experiencing.

He explained that the condition had progressed gradually, making it difficult to understand how quickly things might change.

The family has learned to focus on the present rather than trying to predict what lies ahead.

“Just take every day and try and take the best moment out of that day you can,” Steve said.

That approach has become central to their lives.

There is no simple way to know how the coming months or years will unfold. For the family, even an ordinary lunch, a shared laugh or an afternoon watching football can become something worth holding on to.

Charlie has also spoken candidly about the pain of knowing that there is currently no cure for dementia.

“It’s not right, and it’s not fair,” he said during an earlier interview.

Turning Pauline’s story into hope for other families

Rather than keeping the diagnosis entirely private, Pauline’s family chose to speak publicly in the hope that their experience could help others.

They have become ambassadors for Alzheimer’s Research UK and have supported fundraising efforts to advance dementia research.

In December 2025, Charlie undertook a five-day fundraising trek covering approximately 140 kilometres across five counties.

The route included places connected to his mother’s life and career, such as former family homes, theatres and television studios.

He called the challenge Charlie Quirke’s Trek For A Cure, explaining that supporting research was something his mother would have wanted him to do.

In April 2026, Charlie took on another major challenge, running the London Marathon alongside his fiancée Chloe Thornton and friends in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The team raised approximately £1 million for dementia research.

For Charlie, these efforts are about more than fundraising. They are a way to honour his mother’s legacy while helping other families facing the same uncertainty.

A celebrated career and a legacy that continues

Pauline Quirke has enjoyed a long and successful career in British television.

She became a household name through Birds of a Feather, appearing alongside Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph in the much-loved sitcom.

Her work also included roles in Broadchurch, Emmerdale and numerous other television productions.

Beyond acting, she founded the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in 2007, creating opportunities for young people to explore acting, singing and dancing.

Her family has praised her influence on the entertainment industry and the generations of young performers who have benefited from the academy.

Although she has stepped away from her professional career, the impact of her work continues through the people she inspired.

Holding on to the moments that matter

Dementia can affect memory, communication, thinking and everyday abilities. Its progression varies from person to person, and families often face uncertainty as they adapt to changing needs.

For Pauline’s loved ones, the focus remains on making sure she feels safe, supported and surrounded by people who care about her.

Charlie’s latest update did not suggest that the illness has stopped progressing. Instead, it offered a picture of a family finding happiness in the moments they can still share.

A lunch together. A football match. A familiar smile. The words “I love you.”

These may seem like ordinary things, but for a family living with dementia, they can carry extraordinary meaning.

Pauline Quirke’s story is no longer just about the actress audiences remember from television. It is also about a mother, wife and friend whose family continues to stand beside her.

And as Charlie’s words make clear, whatever the future brings, they are determined to make the most of the time they have together.