Pauline Quirke, 65, tragically ‘no longer recognises family’ amid her devastating battle with dementia  – weeks after it was revealed she’d been living with the disease for four years

Pauline Quirke can reportedly no longer recognise family amid the beloved actress’ devastating battle with dementia. 

Her husband Steve Sheen announced in a statement last month that the the Birds Of A Feather star, 65, would be ‘stepping away from all commercial and professional duties’ after living with the disease for four years. 

Now Maurice Glen, who co-wrote the sitcom which made Pauline famous alongside pal Linda Robson, 66, revealed her condition had sadly ‘gathered pace’. 

Telling the publication: ‘She’s still only 65 so your heart goes out to her. Initially, she felt she was beginning to lose her grip. Now, we understand she struggles to identify members of her own family.’ 

Maurice said how fellow Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph, 79, telephoned him shortly before the statement was made public last month.

‘[Lesley asked] if Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, had been in touch, I told her no. “Well,” said Lesley, “he’s going to go public about Pauline to put a stop to all the speculation”’.

Pauline Quirke, 65, can reportedly no longer recognise family amid the beloved actress’ devastating battle with dementia (pictured 2022) 

Her husband Steve Sheen announced in a statement last month that the the Birds Of A Feather star would be ‘ stepping away from all commercial and professional duties’ after living with the disease for four years  (pictured together) 

Pauline married TV producer Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, while the actress also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.