Pauline Quirke’s son praised her as ‘his best friend’ as he opened up about the drastic step he has taken to raise money for a dementia charity amid her battle with the disease while on Monday’s episode of Lorraine.
Charlie, 31, appeared on the latest episode of the ITV show to chat to host Lorraine Kelly, 65, about his challenge Charlie’s Trek For A Cure for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Back in January it was revealed that Birds Of A Feather star Pauline has been living with dementia for four years after learning of her diagnosis aged 61.
Charlie will be taking part in a 140km treck to raise awareness about the disease, as well as money to put towards research.
Giving Lorraine and viewers an update on his mum’s health, Charlie said: ‘She’s good.
‘You know, my mum is my best friend and dementia hasn’t changed that. As you know she’s still the funnest person in the world, lovely, caring, kind.
Pauline Quirke’s son praised her as ‘his best friend’ as he opened up about the drastic step he has taken to raise money for a dementia charity amid her battle with the disease while on Monday’s episode of Lorraine
Back in January it was revealed that Birds Of A Feather star Pauline has been living with dementia for four years after learning of her diagnosis aged 61 (pictured)
Charlie pictured with his mum on Loose Women back in 2018
‘All of us together, we’re going to try and find a cure for this!’
Charlie will be taking part in the challenge between 8 and 12 December – and will see him visit five counties.
However, it sounds like it’s not going to be easy as he has just managed to recover from an injury.
During the interview, Lorraine pointed out that Charlie had actually just fractured his leg.
‘I fractured my tibia in August,’ Charlie told Lorraine.
‘I’ve just started walking again the last two weeks. My physio team at Beyond Health have been amazing.
‘But I am a bit worried. I’ll be taking the longestwalk will be today…
‘I am going to walk an hour.’
Charlie, 31, appeared on the latest episode of the ITV show to chat to host Lorraine Kelly about his challenge Charlie’s Trek For A Cure for Alzheimer’s Research UK
Speaking about why he is taking part in the challenge, Charlie said: ‘I am doing it to raise awareness for the disease, learn more about my mum’s childhood, her history, and more memories on the way and seeing more about her life.’
The places that Charlie will be visiting along the way all mean something to Pauline and her family.
The trek will start in Chigwell, the home of the iconic Birds of A Feather show, then to West Ham’s training ground and through London.
It comes after just last week Pauline’s family shared a heartbreaking update about her dementia battle as she continues to fight with the condition.
Her loved ones have now shared how they are unsure of the exact stage of the disease Pauline is at, admitting they are taking things one day at a time, although she is often ‘still funny, talking and happy’.
Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen – and their son Charlie – appeared on BBC Breakfast and shared how they were initially in ‘disbelief’ about her diagnosis.
Steve reflected on the moment they realised Pauline was struggling, which was back in November 2020.
It was during a time where she found it difficult to read a script.
It comes after just last week Pauline’s family shared a heartbreaking update about her dementia battle as she continues to fight with the condition
He shared: ‘She started reading it and she phoned me on that day and said, the words are not going in. That’s where it started.’
Steve also spoke about the moment they received the news from doctors.
‘We looked at each other and went, “Can’t be, it’s long Covid. Got the flu”,’ he recalled.
Meanwhile Charlie explained how the family don’t know what stage she is at in her diagnosis.
He said: ‘That’s the problem, no one tells you. My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says “I love you”, says “hello”.’
Steve then added: ‘Unfortunately, we are not in the state where we can do much about it. Just take every day and try and take the best moment out of that day you can.
‘It’s so gradual that for the first year, two years, you’re thinking, “Ah, she’s alright”.
‘Now, we’re three or four years in, it’s a little bit different. This is why awareness is important. We didn’t know how long it lasts or how long you have with it, or how bad it is or how quick it is.’
Charlie concluded that her illness ‘progresses and changes every day’ and they are ‘forever learning’.
It comes after earlier this year, Pauline announced she was stepping away from acting after battling the condition for three years.
In a statement revealing Pauline’s diagnosis for the first time, Steve said: ‘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.’
As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress.
He added: ‘Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years.
‘In drama, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress, was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch.
‘Demonstrating her acting versatility, she also starred or appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, Thieving Headmistress, My Family, You, Me and the Apocalypse, and of course Emmerdale.
‘During her epic 50 year career, Pauline has been nominated for many awards, including Best TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards.
‘In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours. It was a heartfelt recognition of her incredible work with young people, her contributions to entertainment, and her dedication to charitable causes.
‘Her acting career has now come to a close, but Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline’s ideology.’
Pauline married her husband Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, who has followed in his mother’s acting footsteps, and even starred on Birds Of A Feather’s revival in 2019.
The star also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.
Lorraine airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
