Linda Robson’s Heartbreaking Confession: “Pauline Doesn’t Know Me… She Doesn’t Even Know Her Own Children Anymore.”
The news no fan ever wanted to hear has finally been spoken aloud — and it came from the woman who has loved Pauline Quirke the longest.
Linda Robson has revealed the devastating truth about her childhood best friend and Birds of a Feather co-star, confirming publicly for the first time just how far Pauline’s private battle with dementia has progressed.
And her words are almost too painful to read.
💔 “She Doesn’t Know Anybody Now.”
At the TV Choice Awards, Linda stood before reporters with trembling emotion as she lifted the veil on three years of silent heartbreak.
“We’ve been best friends since we were ten,” she said softly.
“I’ve known about her dementia for three years… and we managed to keep it quiet.”
Then came the blow that sent shockwaves through fans everywhere:
“She doesn’t know who anybody is.
She doesn’t know who I am…
or who her kids are.”
A lifetime of memories — gone.
A 50-year career — fading.
A friendship of five decades — now held together through love alone.
🌑 A Cruel Illness Linda Knows Too Well
For Linda, this pain is tragically familiar.
Her own mother battled dementia, and Linda described the emotional torture of watching a loved one drift away in front of you:
“She would recognise us for a moment… and then it disappeared.
Dementia is the worst thing.
Honestly, I’d rather get cancer — at least you’ve got a chance.”
Her words were raw. Honest.
And they captured the desperate helplessness so many families know too well.
🕊️ Pauline’s Husband Confirmed the Diagnosis — and Her Retirement
The public first learned of Pauline’s illness last month when her husband, Steve Sheen, announced that the beloved actress — now 66 — had retired from all professional work following her diagnosis in 2021.
But no one outside the family knew how severe it had become.
Until Linda said it out loud.
📺 “I Could Never Do Birds of a Feather Without Her.”
For millions, Pauline and Linda were British TV.
Two girls from London who grew up together, grew famous together, and laughed together for more than half a century.
But now, Linda says the show will never return:
“It just wouldn’t be the same without her.”
However, she revealed one hope — something she wants to do for Pauline, not with her:
“I’d love to do a tribute for her.
Celebrate her life, her work, her talent.
She deserves that. She’s an amazing actress — and the most amazing friend.”
She hinted that Lesley Joseph may join her:
“There’s something in the pipeline.”
📱 Only FaceTime Calls Now — and Fleeting Moments of Recognition
Linda shared the reality of staying connected to a friend who no longer remembers her:
“When she sees me on FaceTime, she smiles…
but after a couple of minutes, it goes.”
She hopes to visit Pauline in person soon.
“I just want to be there for her.”
👭 A 56-Year Friendship Tested by the Cruellest Illness
Linda and Pauline met at age ten.
They grew up together, worked together, partied together — the Hippodrome, Stringfellows, VIP nights in London.
“We always looked after each other,” Linda said.
“And I just want to look after her now.”
When the diagnosis became public, Linda wrote:
“It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness.”
Their friendship has survived childhood, fame, pressure, and time.
Now it faces the one thing love alone cannot fix — but can fiercely hold onto.