Pauline Quirke, famous for starring in TV sitcom Birds of a Feather, has retired from acting following a dementia diagnosis, her husband has 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,” Steve Sheen said.

Her diagnosis was not made public at the time.

“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),” Mr Sheen added.

Mr Sheen praised his wife’s “talent, dedication, and vision”.

He said her drama academy had “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”.

Quirke was best-known as an actress for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous on the long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather, winning a British Comedy Award in 1990 for the role.

It ran from 1989 to 1998 on BBC One, and then on ITV from 2014 to 2020.

The series followed the lives of sisters Tracey and Sharon, played by Linda Robson and Quirke, who have to fend for themselves after their husbands are arrested for armed robbery.

Quirke and Robson met as children at drama school in north London.

The pair first worked together in BBC comedy drama Shine On Harvey Moon, set in London’s post-war East End, from 1982 to 1985.

In 1997, Quirke was nominated for a Bafta award for playing convicted murderer Olive Martin in BBC drama The Sculptress, based on Minette Walters’ psychological thriller novel.

She also received four National Television Awards nominations – three for Birds of a Feather and one for BBC drama series Down to Earth in 2002.

Quirke also starred in BBC detective drama Maisie Raine from 1998 to 1999, appeared in ITV’s Broadchurch, and played Hazel Rhodes in Emmerdale from 2010 to 2012.

In 2022, Quirke was made an MBE for services to the entertainment industry, young people, and charities.

PQA has about 250 academies and more than 15,000 students across the UK, and will “continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline’s ideology”, Mr Sheen said.

He requested privacy and understanding for his wife and her family, saying they would not be making further statements.

“Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren,” he added.

Quirke and Mr Sheen married in 1996, and they have “pledged future support” for Alzheimer’s Research UK to help raise funds for research and awareness, the charity said.

Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said they were “saddened” to hear about the actress’s diagnosis.

“The family should be praised for making the brave decision to make her diagnosis public, which will not only provide more freedom for them, but also raise such vital awareness of the condition,” she said.

Dementia UK CEO and Chief Admiral Nurse Dr Hilda Hayo added: “By choosing to speak publicly about her condition, Pauline will raise vital awareness for young onset dementia.

“We hope this will encourage others to seek support if they are concerned about their brain health.”

Mr Sheen also praised late actress Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell for his work with the charity following her dementia diagnosis.