Loose Women’s Linda Robson has revealed she is filming again with her Birds of a Feather co-star despite vowing not to bring back the hit show amid Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis
Linda Robson had a surprise reunion with her Birds of a Feather co-star as she revealed they are filming despite vow to not bring back series. The Loose Women star revealed last week that it is “time to move on” from the acclaimed show, which first aired more than 30 years ago.
Birds of a Feather initially ran on the BBC for nine series from 1989 to 1998 as Linda starred alongside Pauline Quirke, 65, and Lesley Joseph, 79. It was later revived by ITV for three subsequent series, which aired between 2014 and 2016. The most recent episode was a Christmas special back in 2020.
Linda admitted the show “won’t come back” following the news in January that her co-star Pauline would be stepping back from her career after being diagnosed with dementia four years ago.
However, in an unexpected move, Linda has reunited with Lesley and admitted they are filming together. She shared a snap of herself and Lesley on a plane both giving a thumbs up and revealed: “And we are off to film in Malta.”
Linda then shared a snap of the pair with an airhostess as they enjoyed their flight to the sunny island. It is unclear what Lesley and Linda will be filming in the country.
Just a matter of days ago, Linda addressed a Birds of a Feature reunion when speaking to the Daily Star. She said: “Now Pauline has retired, Birds of a Feather won’t come back. It wouldn’t be the same without her.”
She further told the outlet in the interview: “It’s had its day now. It’s time to move on.” Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen shared her devastating news in a statement that was released back in January.
Steve said in the statement: “‘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.” He added that she “just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.”
Linda spoke to the Mirror about her friend whilst at TV Choice Awards last month and said that it had been “tough”. She said at the time: “I knew about Pauline’s diagnosis for three years and it has been tough.” The actress said that she’s since kept in touch with her pal’s husband Steve and went on to say that Pauline’s “being really looked after”.
She continued whilst at the awards ceremony: “We FaceTime a lot but she doesn’t say too much, we’re always in contact and I’m seeing her next week. It’s nice to see the support for her but it can be upsetting to talk about it.”
Following Steve’s announcement, Linda shared her own message on social media. She said: “This will be the only time I speak on behalf of my best friend, Pauline.
“For the past three years, I’ve been in close contact with her husband, Steve, and have spent time with Pauline. It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness. Out of respect for her family and her privacy, I will not be discussing this matter further.”
Linda and Pauline have been friends since childhood, but have faced feud rumours over the years. Pauline was nowhere to be seen in the Birds of a Feather special back in 2020, which left fans convinced that she and Linda had ended their friendship of fifty years.
Her lines in the title song were removed and so were pictures of their characters Tracey and Sharon together. It was claimed Linda and Pauline had become estranged and in 2022, Linda decided to address the rumours.
She told The Mirror: “People say Pauline and I have fallen out. Obviously I couldn’t see her during lockdown but I’ve seen her since. She just doesn’t want to act anymore. She’s had enough – it’s long hours. She’s concentrating on her drama academies. She’s very hands on, going to classes and all that.
“I see Lesley [Joseph] all the time because we won Celebrity Coach Trip last year. And during the lockdowns I would leave funny things on her doorstep, like Tena Lady and hair dye! But when I was ill, both Pauline and Lesley rang me, or a member of my family, every couple of days to see how I was. They were both a big support and really there for me.”
In 2023, Linda admitted that she had for a time felt ‘envious’ of Pauline after she began picking up more serious acting parts. Linda, Pauline, and Lesley attempted to dispel any row rumours once and for all by meeting up for lunch in 2022.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Dementia UK.
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