All the health issues Pauline Quirke endured before dementia diagnosis – from ‘raging pain’ that sparked 7-stone weight loss to life-changing op
She’s now retired from acting…
It was revealed in January that actress Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia. Unfortunately for the Birds of a Feather star, it is not the first health challenge she has faced in recent years.
Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen shared that the beloved 65-year-old star – also known for her roles in Maisie Raine, Broadchurch, Emmerdale, and The Sculptress – has now retired from performing.
But ahead of a documentary about her on Channel 5 this weekend (March 8), here are further details about how Pauline’s health has suffered.
Pauline Quirke shares a scene in Birds of a Feather with Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson (Credit: ITV/YouTube)
Pauline Quirke’s health problems
According to reports, Pauline endured “raging pain” in her leg while filming BBC crime drama Missing.
She is said to have dismissed aches and pains down her right side, treating them with paracetamol, for a year. However, her discomfort increased – and Pauline eventually consulted a doctor.
Pauline reflected in 2009: “It became increasingly difficult for me to get in and out of my police car, walk up and down the stairs, or rush into one of the various detectives’ offices.
“The pain was so bad, I was hobbling about. It was ridiculous – and hardly gave off the right impression for a senior detective!”
Pauline also had a nasty fall after visiting one of her drama schools, and was wracked with pain in her knee.
“I was talking to one of the children’s mothers, and as I turned away I slipped and fell badly. A couple of weeks later, I developed a terrible pain in my right knee. It was so bad it would keep me awake at night,” she recalled.
Hip replacement
The agony was so excruciating that Pauline had to advise her director for the TV show she would need to move around less in scenes as DS Mary Jane Croft.
Furthermore, X-rays would indicate a problem with her hip due to a lack of cartilage present.
And so, Pauline was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, affecting her mobility as well as leaving her in intense pain.
Ultimately, the Sharon Theodopolopodous star learned she would need a hip replacement.
Pauline Quirke dropped a lot of weight (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Pauline’s recovery
As part of her recovery, Pauline made use of crutches, rehab exercises and also lost weight.
The mum-of-two was believed to be 19 stone at the time, which would have put pressure on her weak hip joint.
She said of weight loss at the time: “I haven’t bothered before. But I know it will be better for the joint if I do, so I shall try.”
And by June 2012, it was reported she’d dropped from a size 28 to weigh just over 12 stone.
“I’d like to stay between 12 and 12 1/2 stone. Every week I’ll weigh myself just to keep an eye on it,” Pauline said at the time.
She added: “But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being frightened of what I want to eat. You can have a slice of cake, but not every day.”
Nonetheless, reports have indicated Pauline found it difficult to keep the weight off, having cut out sugar and alcohol.
In her autobiography Where Have I Gone? – in which she addressed undergoing a LighterLife diet plan for 12 months – she recalled having to request a seatbelt extension on an airplane.
She also spoke about the sting of watching a programme about a sumo wrestler weighing 20 stone, and thought: “I was just a few pounds lighter than a sumo wrestler. Now there’s an image that doesn’t make you feel terribly attractive. I needed drastic action.”
