Real reason Pauline Quirke quit BBC Birds of a Feather after 'feud'

Pauline Quirke broke Birds of a Feather fans' hearts when she quit the beloved BBC sitcom ahead of the 2020 Christmas Special.

Pauline, who starred as Sharon Theodopolopodous from 1989 to 1998 and again from 2014 to 2017, was absent in the festive episode, with fans being told her character was stuck on a Covid-infected cruise while Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph reprised their roles.

It was later confirmed that there would be no future episodes of the sitcom, with a source telling the Mail: "Without Pauline, there is no Birds of a Feather. You cannot have Tracey without Sharon, and there is no way Pauline will be going back. Things are bad between her and Linda."

Speculation was rife that Pauline, 65, and Linda, 66, had fallen out after being best friends for 50 years.

A source claimed to the aforementioned publication that the "atmosphere on set had become difficult" and there were "real and tense issues".

Linda later opened up about Pauline's exit and addressed whether there was a breakdown in their friendship.

The Loose Women panellist told The Mirror last year that Pauline left Birds of a Feather because she wanted to spend more time with her family and focus on the performing arts academies she had built across the country.

Linda also stated that Pauline was never at ease performing live as she "doubted herself".

She said: "When we finished work at night, Pauline couldn't wait to get home...and we all knew that she had never enjoyed the studio days where we had to perform in front of the live audience.

"For someone who is as brilliant as Pauline, it's really sad how much she doubts her own ability and gets herself so nervous."

In another interview, Linda recounted the precise moment Pauline expressed her desire to exit the show.

She said: "'I don't want to act any more. It's not Birds Of A Feather itself, it's everything. I feel like I'm done with it. I feel bad for you two, but you can go on without me'."

Linda acknowledged that speculation about a rift between them would inevitably arise following the announcement but dismissed any suggestions of a "feud" with Pauline.

She stated to the Mail that there had never been any disagreement between them after first meeting at a primary school in North London.

Linda added that her bond with Pauline would outlast any television show as they had supported each other "through thick and thin and for every single major life event".

The pair were last seen together publicly in 2022, dispelling any rumours of a fallout by meeting up with their Birds of a Feather co-star Lesley Joseph for lunch in London.

The Dorien Green actress, 79, has also shed light on Pauline's exit and rumours of a feud, admitting she sees more of Linda than she does Pauline, but only because Linda lives in London while Pauline resides up north.

She told the Mirror: "The three of us went through 30 years together. You can't work that long with people and they not be in your life; it's impossible."

Lesley also said that while there are no plans for another Birds of a Feather, she would happily work with Pauline and Linda "anytime and anywhere".

She gushed: "I would do anything with Linda and Pauline now and forever. I adore them and they are what I call family."