Birds of a Feather star Pauline was diagnosed with dementia in 2021, and now son Charlie has opened up about his mother’s health ahead of running the London Marathon for charity
Charlie Quirke said mum Pauline is still as funny as she ever was(Image: Alzheimers Research UK/SWNS)
Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie has provided a major update on the star’s condition as she bravely battles dementia. Charlie admitted things have been hard for the family but they are taking it one step at a time.
Birds of a Feather legend Pauline, 66, received her diagnosis of the progressive illness in 2021. Since then, she has retired from public life, with updates coming from her son and sitcom co-star Charlie.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain Charlie Quirke, 31, offered viewers a glimpse into his mother’s current life and wellbeing when presenters Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh asked about her. It comes as he gears up to run the London Marathon in honour of Alzheimer’s Research UK with Team Quirke on Sunday (April 26).
Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie gave Good Morning Britian viewers an update on her health(Image: ITV)
“The dementia hasn’t taken her humour away, not at all − she’s still the funniest woman in the world,” Charlie said, according to the Express. “And with her acting ability, she can do so much with a look or a wink or a word,” he beamed.
“She’s still, she’s still the funniest person that I know. The illness is what it is. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we take every day as it comes,” he added.
“As a family, we don’t know any different, really. This is just the cards we’ve been dealt. And it’s different for everyone else around the country, who’s going through the same thing.
Pauline’s family are taking her dementia diagnosis one day at a time to make the most of the memories they have together(Image: ITV)
“We take every day as it comes. Every day is a school day, and we try to do the best we can and learn about the condition and just smile,” he added.
Talking about the upcoming marathon, the actor said he will carry his mum close to his heart throughout the race. “I’m carrying a photo of me and my mum together, which I only found yesterday; it was from the day I was born. My dad gave it to me. So I’m gonna have that in my vest, and I’m gonna take it out and across the finish line,” he said.
When asked what Pauline thinks of her career and legacy now, Charlie replied: “My mum has always been the most humble woman in the world, so I think it was just a purely a job to her. She would be [on set] thinking about what she was going to cook us for dinner, or what had to go on the washing machine or for our uniforms the next day.
Charlie added he will be keeping mum Pauline close to him as he runs the London Marathon on Sunday(Image: Alzheimer’s Research UK / SWNS)
“I think we all can look back and…the amount of decades my mom’s been working, it’s quite a breadth of work. [She’s] just an incredible, incredible woman.”
He finished: “My mum’s legacy will continue for as long as, as long as we can,” he said. “And the PQA (Pauline Quirke Academy) is a legacy, she and my dad created. It’s incredible.”
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