Watch emotional moment Pauline Quirke sobs as she surprises best friend Linda Robson before dementia diagnosis

PAULINE Quirke and Linda Robson showed just how deep their friendship was in a tearful TV moment six years before the former’s dementia diagnosis.

In a special episode of the ITV daytime show, its stars paid tribute to Linda’s 50 year showbiz career.

It wouldn’t have been complete without an appearance from Pauline, who has been there for Linda from the very beginning, and she duly made the effort even though she wasn’t in the country.

In a moving moment, Linda was surprised by Pauline via videolink from the Canary Islands.

As she was introduced, Pauline wiped away tears clearly emotional about the big milestone.

However, she soon showcased her famous good humour and joked: “I bet you was worried I was going to be in a swimming costume weren’t ya?”

There were laughs back in the studio as Linda revealed they’d known each other for around 55 years.

Pauline then said: “I have arranged something very special, I don’t think you can have a party without a cake, I’ve got something sorted for ya.”

Back in the studio a giant cake was wheeled through the audience with the words “Happy birthday you ol’ bird” on.

Their Birds of a Feather co-star Lesley Joseph then popped out dressed like a burlesque dancer.

In another episode that the same year, Linda addressed rumours she and Pauline had fallen out due to being pictured together less and less, as well as Pauline’s absence from Linda’s lunch dates with their co-star Lesley.

However, Linda explained Pauline simply has no interest in living a celebrity lifestyle and insisted they remained firm pals.

The popular panellist added that the distance between their homes – Pauline lives in Buckinghamshire and Linda in Islington – meant they didn’t see each other as often.

She said: “Pauline doesn’t like doing celebrity stuff, she doesn’t like live television. She’s been on here once or twice and will only come on if I’m on it.

“We’ve never had a feud. We’ve been best mates and we’re still best mates.”

Last night Pauline’s husband Steve revealed the actress, 65, is stepping down from professional duties after being diagnosed with dementia.

A statement read: “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.”

Pauline starred as Sharon Theodopolopodous in Birds of a Feather, which ran on the BBC and then ITV across nearly 30 years.

She was also nominated for BAFTAs for her roles in The Sculptress and ITV‘s Broadchurch.

In total, Pauline appeared in more than 60 TV and films, including Emmerdale and Casualty.

Across her career, she was nominated for Best TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and had multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer at the National Television Awards.

She was also awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours in 2022, receiving the award from Prince William at Buckingham Palace.

Since stepping down from acting, the actress launched the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts.

The academy now has 250 sites with 15,000 students across the UK.

Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We are saddened to hear of Pauline’s diagnosis and send our best wishes to her, Steve and the wider family.

“The family should be praised for making the brave decision to make her diagnosis public, which will not only provide more freedom for them, but also raise such vital awareness of the condition.

“We’re so grateful that Pauline and Steve have pledged to support our work when the time is right. We look forward to working with them to raise further awareness of dementia and funds for research.”