‘A Friend to the End’: The Incredible Bond Between Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke

From their early days as inseparable schoolgirls to their rise as beloved stars of "Birds of a Feather", their story has been one of loyalty, laughter, and steadfast support. See the photos that capture their bond at the end of this article.

In January 2025, actress Linda Robson appeared on the talk show "Loose Women" and during her appearance, spoke about her good friend Pauline Quirke and their incredible friendship.

By this time, it was widely known that the actress had been diagnosed with dementia. So, for the first time since news of Quirke medical condition became public, Robson joined the hosts of "Loose Women" and shared some of the amazing moments she and Quirke lived through.

However, when one panellist referenced how upsetting the news had been for Quirke's family, and acknowledged Robson's wish to keep matters private, the actress reaffirmed, "I don't want to talk about her illness at all."

Instead, what followed was a heartfelt tribute to a bond that began in childhood and endured for more than five decades. Robson explained that she and Quirke had known each other since they were just 10 years old, after attending the same primary school.

From those early days, she said, they did everything together, a closeness that stayed with them as they grew up and eventually built successful careers across television and theatre.

Naturally, their years working side by side created a store of memories, and Robson spoke about the adventures that came with "Birds of a Feather" success, including travelling widely and being introduced to spaces they might never otherwise have entered.

With that success, Robson admitted, came plenty of cheeky mischief. Laughing, she described how she and Quirke were "really naughty" and how they used their fame to get into all sorts of places.

That led her to recall a moment in Stringfellows where Prince was there and they were thrilled to be close enough to say they had touched a true legend. That playful spirit ran through another story Robson shared, this time involving George Michael.

"We said, 'Right, we're not leaving 'til George Michael leaves,'" she shared, adding that they waited from about 8 p.m. until 4 a.m., and then had to go home and explain to their husbands why they had been out so late.

Still, Robson's warmest reflections were not only about celebrity encounters, but about Quirke herself. She praised her former co-star as an "amazing actress" and spoke proudly about the breadth of her career, mentioning several of the many projects Quirke worked on beyond "Birds of a Feather."

Just as importantly, Robson spoke with affection about her former co-star's family, describing Quirke's husband as the love of her life and noting that the actress also had two children and two granddaughters, painting a picture of a close, supportive home life around her.

From there, Robson touched on the reality that dementia affects so many people, referencing her own experience with her mother. She also mentioned Quirke's family working with the Alzheimer's Society UK to help others, grounding their personal story in a wider conversation about awareness and support.

Later that year, Robson's devotion was underlined again when the two actresses reunited. During an appearance on "BBC Breakfast" on December 8, the actress joined Quirke's son and shared an update after seeing her former co-star.

Asked whether she had seen her old friend lately, Robson said, "Yes, about three or four weeks ago at a restaurant."

She described the visit as uplifting, adding, "It was so lovely, I was so happy because she was happy. She was just giggling and just really enjoying it; she ate everything as well. I left there happy because she was happy, and I knew they were looking after her really well."

Robson explained she had visited her good friend at home, too, and noted that Quirke's family, including her husband and their children, continued to provide steady care and support.

For many people, the enduring closeness between the former co-stars struck an emotional chord, and social media quickly filled with messages about loyalty, love, and the meaning of long-term friendship.

"My heart goes out with a friend like Linda. A friend to the end," one person commented, while another wrote, "A bond that will last a lifetime." Someone else typed, "Linda was there for her," while another remarked, "Together bonded in so much love for each other. True friendship x."

Others focused on the sadness of the situation while still recognising the strength of the connection, with one netizen sharing, "True friendship - Bless Pauline xx," and another adding, "So sad to happen to such great friends."

One comment captured the wider heartbreak of the illness and the ripple effect it can have on those around the person living with it, writing, "It is a cruel illness, it takes away the person you love, it is hard for family and friends as well. Hope Linda and Pauline become friends again, live is too short for falling out [sic]."

Through it all, Robson's message remained consistent — she would not trade in private details, but she would gladly share the laughter, the adventures, and the steady, decades-long love that has kept her and Pauline Quirke connected from childhood to the present day.