'Pauline and I were 10 when we met at school – we're still friends now'

Birds Of A Feather icon Linda Robson opens up about her enduring bond with co-star and close pal Pauline Quirke, her potential future on Loose Women and the TV show she would love to tackle next

- JEN PHARO

Pantomime occupies a special place in Linda Robson’s heart after years spent performing with her best pal and Birds Of A Feather costar Pauline Quirke.

But this year Linda is treading the boards alone, as Pauline’s dementia battle has forced her to retire from acting.

The pair were just 10 when they became best friends and went on to share a glittering career together on screen and stage, most famously as sisters Sharon and Tracey in their hit sitcom Birds Of A Feather, which also starred Lesley Joseph as their randy neighbour Dorien. So it’s no wonder Linda, 67, is determined to keep their friendship alive.

“I love her so much,” says Linda. “Fifty-seven years we’ve been best friends. We were both 10 when we met at primary school and we’re still friends now.”

Linda was heartbroken when Pauline was diagnosed with dementia aged 61 in 2021. Despite Pauline’s decline, Linda remains close with her pal and the pair recently enjoyed a pub lunch together with friends and family.

“We’re all still in touch and we were all still friends and it’s been really nice,” shares Linda. “I went to see Pauline about a week and a half ago. Her son Charlie picked me up at the station. We went to the house and her daughter Emily was there, her granddaughters were there, her husband Steve was there too and it was just really, really nice. We went to a little local pub and then they put us in a little private room so it was just us in there. And we had a really nice lunch, all of us.”

Despite the dementia, Pauline still recognises Linda and knows how to make her laugh, so they shared jokes and reminisced about their adventures in