Linda Robson has spoken movingly about the moment she realised her best friend of over 50 years, Pauline Quirke, was no longer the same — a moment that marked the beginning of a heartbreaking new chapter in their decades-long friendship.
Pauline, best known for her role in Birds of a Feather, was diagnosed with dementia in December 2021. However, the news wasn’t made public until earlier this year, when her husband Steve released a statement confirming her condition.
Speaking to Bella magazine, Linda revealed she had known something wasn’t right for quite some time. She said she had been wondering why Pauline hadn’t been returning her calls, and eventually it was Steve who phoned her back. Not long after, Linda and their co-star Lesley Joseph met Pauline for lunch — and that was when it became painfully clear. Linda recalled that lunch in 2022, saying that it was the moment she and Lesley realised Pauline had changed.
She explained that she managed to keep the diagnosis private for three years out of respect for Pauline’s family, especially while Steve was taking Pauline abroad often to help her enjoy some peace and privacy. Linda added that she felt it was important to wait until they were ready to tell the world.
Now, Linda often speaks to Pauline over FaceTime, although she admits her friend no longer recognises her. Despite that, she says it still means something to be there and reminisce about the fun they once shared.
“She doesn’t know who I am,” Linda shared, “but it’s nice to be there remembering the old days and the fun we had.”
On Loose Women, Linda spoke tearfully about Pauline’s illness, saying that she’s been surrounded by dementia all her life — her own mother also suffered from it. She expressed how painful it has been to watch someone so close go through the same battle. But she added that she’s grateful there is now more awareness and understanding of the disease.
In January, Linda broke her silence publicly for the first time. Posting on Instagram, she admitted that it “breaks my heart” to see her childhood friend going through such a cruel illness.
Linda and Pauline met when they were just 10 years old, and have maintained a close bond ever since. While the two haven’t been seen together in recent years, Linda has always shut down any rumours of a rift between them, emphasizing that their bond has remained strong throughout their lives.
