‘I’VE LOST MORE THAN A SISTER… I’VE LOST A PART OF MY SOUL, AND I DON’T KNOW HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT HER,’” Linda Robson cried, her voice shaking as tears streamed uncontrollably, saying a final, irreversible goodbye to Pauline Quirke — the one person who stood beside her through every secret, every heartbreak, every chapter of her life. Those who witnessed the moment say Linda looked completely shattered, clinging to memories as if letting go would break her entirely. “She knew everything about me… things no one else ever will,” Linda whispered, struggling to hold herself together. And as she walked away, utterly broken, one truth lingered in the air — this wasn’t just goodbye to a friend… it was the loss of a lifetime she knows she can never get back.
Linda Robson breaks down in tears on Loose Women(Image: ITV)
Linda and Pauline starred as sisters Tracey Stubbs and Sharon Theodopolopodous, respectively, in the hit BBC One sitcom Birds of a Feather which first aired in 1989.
It was earlier this month (January) that Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, revealed the 65-year-old actress has been battling dementia – which causes a decline in thinking, memory, and reasoning skills – since 2021 and will “step away from all commercial and professional duties”.
Linda and Pauline have been friends since they were children(Image: Linda Robson Instagram)
“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 x.”
Now, appearing for the first time on Loose Women since the news on Thursday (January 30), host Christine Lampard asked Linda to speak about her friendship with Pauline, with Linda also hailing her friend’s career, as she made it clear she didn’t want to talk about her health.
“We were at the same primary school together. We did everything together,” she shared. “We travelled all over the world with Birds of a Feather and everything, we went to amazing places. Because of Birds of a Feather, it opened many doors. We had such amazing times, honestly. She was an amazing actress as well, and she’s got the most beautiful family,” Linda continued.
Linda was quickly comforted(Image: ITV)
She also shared cheeky stories of the pair as she commented: “We sort of did everything the same. We were naughty, really naughty. We used our fame to get us into so many places, honestly… I also want to talk about her career. She was an amazing actress, she did so many different things.”
At the end of the conversation, Christine told Linda: “Clearly, you are there for her and you have got a bit of experience too. You will lean on each other going forward. It is so good thank you have got each other. It is difficult, Linda, I know. Thank you for sharing.”
The support prompted Linda to break down as she was supported by the panelists. She was unable to say anything in response. “We are sending all our love to Pauline and her family,” Christine added. She then told Linda: “You take a little moment.”
