Birds Of A Feather shaped the TV landscape after a run of 12 series spanning three decades. The classic sitcom became a cultural staple, with its theme tune still living rent-free in fans’ heads. And just like the chaos that Tracey and Sharon constantly found themselves in on-screen, the cast’s real lives have been just as dramatic, emotional, and unforgettable.
Fronted by the instantly recognisable duo Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke, the show followed sisters Tracey Stubbs and Sharon Theodopolopodous, two Cockney queens forced back together when their husbands are banged up for armed robbery. With Sharon ditching her Edmonton council flat for Tracey’s bougie Chigwell pad, the series delivered peak 90s nostalgia from 1989 until 1998, before a surprise – and hugely popular – revival in 2014.
The last-ever episode aired as a Christmas special in 2020 but noticeably without Pauline. Her character, Sharon, was missing entirely. At the time, Linda said Pauline was busy focusing on her drama academies amid rising rumours of a feud. Months later, the truth behind her absence became heartbreakingly clear.
Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis
Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, confirmed earlier this year that the 65-year-old actress had been diagnosed with dementia back in 2021. It marked a devastating turn for one of Britain’s most loved TV icons, who had enjoyed decades on our screens in everything from Broadchurch to You, Me and the Apocalypse.
This week, co-star and close friend Lesley Joseph, 80, shared a crushing update while speaking to Bella magazine at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, admitting Pauline is “not okay” as her condition progresses.
Linda Robson’s financial struggles and marriage split
The years after the sitcom wrapped for the first time weren’t easy for everyone. In 2017, Linda Robson revealed she had nearly suffered a breakdown after falling into thousands of pounds of debt. Too anxious to open bank letters, she said she was haunted nightly by money worries.
She later shared that her then-husband, Mark Dunford, helped her clear some of the debt — but the couple went on to split last year after 33 years of marriage. Linda confirmed the breakup bluntly, telling the press: “We had some good years, but enough is enough.”
Alun Lewis’ life after Darryl Stubbs
Alun Lewis, who played Tracey’s dodgy husband Darryl, was a major part of the original series before later being written out altogether, when he was killed off in a robbery gone wrong. Lewis, also known for his role in Emmerdale and his 90s boyband-adjacent trio The Woolpackers, has since stepped away from acting.
His daughter is a musician, Amelia Warner, who was briefly married to Hollywood star Colin Farrell before starting a family with actor Jamie Dornan.
The feud rumours that wouldn’t die
Pauline’s absence from the 2020 Christmas special sent the fandom spiralling, especially after her vocals were removed from the theme tune and photos of Sharon and Tracey were noticeably missing. It fuelled rumours that Pauline and Linda’s 50-year friendship had collapsed.
Linda has repeatedly tried to shut down speculation, insisting there was no dramatic fallout, but fans weren’t convinced, especially with Pauline exiting the public eye around the same time.
