Pauline Quirke's son, Charlie, has provided a heartfelt update on his mother's condition as she continues to battle dementia. The beloved Birds of a Feather actress, now 66, was first diagnosed with the illness in 2021 at the age of 61.
A Personal Update on Good Morning Britain
Appearing on Good Morning Britain alongside presenters Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh, Charlie spoke candidly about his mother's health. The segment featured a montage of Pauline's iconic roles, including scenes from the hit sitcom where she acted alongside her son.
Kate remarked on the special bond they shared on set: "We all just relish Birds of a Feather. It must have been a great thing to be part of, and to be doing it with your mum."
Working Together Was a Dream
Charlie reflected on the experience, saying: "It was a dream come true to be able to work with my mum. We did it on stage first, so to share a stage with her and then be on TV for three seasons was incredible. I was on set with my best friend and an amazing actress at the same time."
When asked if Pauline's humour had been affected by the diagnosis, Charlie was quick to reassure fans: "Still my best friend! No, not at all. She's still the funniest woman in the world. With her acting ability, she can do so much with a look or a wink. She's still the funniest person I know."
Taking Each Day as It Comes
Charlie described the family's approach to the illness: "The illness is what it is. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We take every day as it comes, and every day is a good day for us."
This weekend, Charlie will run the London Marathon to raise funds for Alzheimer's Research UK. He revealed that his mother will be watching from home: "My parents watch the marathon every year, but this time it will be different because their little boy is taking part."
He shared a touching detail: "I'm carrying a photo of me and my mum together. I only found it yesterday. It's from the day I was born; my dad gave it to me. I'll have that in my vest and take it out when I cross the finish line."
A Legacy of Joy
Charlie explained that he is running on behalf of his mother and everyone else suffering from the disease. When Ranvir asked if Pauline is aware of the joy she has brought to millions, Charlie replied: "My mum has always been the most humble woman in the world. To her, it was purely a job. She'd be thinking about what she was going to cook us for dinner or what needed to go in the washing machine."
He added: "We can all look back at the decades of work she's done. She has an incredible breadth of work and has changed people's lives. She's an incredible woman."
Good Morning Britain airs on ITV weekdays from 6am.
