Iconic sitcom is finished after 35 years reveals show star

BIRDS of a Feather will NEVER return to screens, Linda Robson has revealed.

The actress – who has played Tracey Stubbs in the iconic sitcom for 35 years – has opened up about bringing the show to an end after co-star Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis.

Pauline played Tracey’s sister Sharon Theodopolopodous who moved in with her sister after their husbands were jailed for armed robbery.

The show also starred Lesley Joseph as Tracey’s man-eating neighbour Dorien Green.

First airing on BBC One in 1989, it ran until 1998 before coming to an end.

The show was revived by ITV in 2014 with the last episodes airing in 2020.

However now Pauline’s dementia battle has been made public, Linda has confirmed that the show will not return.

She told the Daily Star Sunday: “Now Pauline has retired, Birds of a Feather won't come back.

“It wouldn't be the same without her. It's had its day now. It's time to move on.”

Last month told how Pauline no longer recognises her own children because of the dementia.

Speaking exclusively to Flying Eze at the TV Choice Awards, the Loose Women panellist said: “It’s very sad.

“We’ve been best friends since we were ten. I’ve known [about the diagnosis] for three years and we've managed to keep it quiet.

“She doesn’t know who anybody is. She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are. Dementia is terrible – I’d rather get cancer, because at least then you’ve got a chance.”

Pauline’s husband announced the sad news in a statement earlier this year.

“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,”; he said.

Is it ageing or dementia?

Dementia – the most common form of which is Alzheimer's – comes on slowly over time.

As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe.

But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing.

TheUS National Institute on Aginggives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease.

You can refer to these above.

For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia.

Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team, previously told Flying Eze: “We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them.

“As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door.

“That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age.

“In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house.

“What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn't belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.”;

“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.”