Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia and will be stepping away from acting, her husband has confirmed.

The 65-year-old star was best known for her role in the hit sitcom Birds Of A Feather, playing Sharon Theodopolopodous opposite Linda Robson, who played her sister Tracey.

Steve Sheen, who has been married to Quirke since 1996, said she had been diagnosed with the condition in 2021.

In a statement, he said it was “with a heavy heart” that she was stepping back from her professional and commercial duties because of her diagnosis.

He went on: “We are deeply grateful for the support of her peers, the public and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA [Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts].

“We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.”

Quirke and her husband, who worked as an executive producer on Birds Of A Feather, have two children together. Their son Charlie is also an actor.

Quirke’s family have pledged future support to Alzheimer’s Research UK and say they will be working alongside the charity to raise funds for research and awareness of dementia.

The statement also drew comparisons with the work done to raise awareness for the cause by the family of late EastEnders actress Dame Barbara Windsor, who died in 2020, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease six years previously.

Sheen went on: “We are very proud of what our family friend Scott Mitchell is doing with Alzheimer’s Research UK in his late wife Dame Barbara Windsor’s name. So, when we feel able, we will also align ourselves with the charity.”

One of the most recognisable stars of British comedy, Quirke began acting as a child getting her own TV show as a teenager – Pauline’s Quirkes – where she frequently worked with Linda Robson.

The pair were brought together again in 1989 in Birds of a Feather, where the roles of mismatched sisters brought together after their husbands are sent to jail for armed robbery turned them into household names.

A female-led comedy, Lesley Joseph played the third lead in the show, as nosey neighbour Dorien Green.

Running for nine years on the BBC, it attracted nearly 20 million viewers at its height. It was rebooted by ITV in 2014 and ran for six more years.

Quirke did not return for a Christmas special in 2020.

In a career spanning over half a decade, Quirke has starred in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Broadchurch, Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, My Family and Emmerdale.

In 1990 Quirke won a British Comedy award for her role in Birds Of A Feather and in 1996 she was nominated for a BAFTA for her performance as a convicted murderess in The Sculptress.

In 1995 Quirke and Robson appeared on the BBC documentary Jobs For The Girls, trying out a new profession each week, frequently with comedic results.

In 2007 The Pauline Quirke Academy Of Performing Arts opened, offering classes in singing, dancing, and acting for children from four to 18. Based in Buckinghamshire, it operates across the country.

The academy said it was “deeply moved by the messages that we have received” following news of Quirke’s diagnosis, adding, “it has been wonderful to see how many lives Pauline has touched through her work”.

They said teaching at the academy would “continue as normal”.

Quirke was awarded an MBE in 2022 in recognition of her work with young people, contributions to entertainment and dedication to charitable causes.

One in two people will be directly affected by dementia – either by developing the condition themselves, caring for someone with it, or both – according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Dear White People star DeRon Horton says he was shot days before Christmas and is lucky not to have been killed or paralysed.

The 32-year-old star shared photos of him being treated for his injuries in hospital, saying he had been shot at while he in a car.

He said he was now out of the hospital and still “healing”.

His co-star from The Last Days Of Ptolemy Grey, Samuel L Jackson, was among the celebrities posting to wish him well.

Horton said in a message that he wanted to “give an honour to God for covering me and protecting me to make it out this situation and countless other ones” and thanked his family and friends for their support.

He said getting “shot a few days before Xmas def wasn’t on my wish list”, explaining that the “bullet broke my arm”, and “shattered it”.

Photos he shared included an X-ray which appeared to show his broken bones, a long wound with a line of stitches along the length of his arm, and bullet damage to his car.

Horton also said he felt “blessed” he was not seriously hurt, and he would “bounce right back”.

“I just wanted to remind y’all and myself to keep god first,” he added.

Pulp Fiction star Jackson commented on his post, writing: “Glad you’re still with us, (tough) stuff!!! Good thing you’re covered by the all mighty. Hoping you heal quickly and (as) painlessly as possible. Stay blessed.”

Empire actress Serayah McNeill, Saints And Sinners actor Christian Keyes, The Flight Attendant’s Griffin Matthews and Everybody Hates Chris star Imani Hakim all sent their love to Horton.

McNeill wrote: “Wow! I’m so glad you’re here and on your road to recovery.”

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In hit Netflix series Dear White People, Horton portrays a gay student who works for a student newspaper and becomes interested in covering Logan Browning’s character’s outspoken college radio show – where she discusses issues of race.

Horton also starred in action movie Dirt, fantasy romance Endless, drama Burning Sands, and horror American Horror Story: 1984.

Born in Houston, Horton moved to Saudi Arabia when he was 10, returning to the US after he finished secondary school.

Police have launched an investigation after Gladiators star Apollo was reportedly stalked and harassed.

The 33-year-old, whose real name is Alex Gray, is said to have been targeted by a woman both on the set of the TV show in Sheffield and at his temporary accommodation in the city.

South Yorkshire Police said they were “aware of reports of a man in his 30s being subjected to stalking and harassment”.

A spokesperson added: “An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.”

Gray told The Sun On Sunday: “There was an incident. That’s as much as I can say, until something comes of it and there’s action taken.

“Maybe there might not be. I’m still waiting to hear. The police are doing their thing.”

The newspaper also reported that the BBC and production company Hungry Bear Media had arranged for extra “support and protection” around the Utilita Arena Sheffield and outside the rented apartment block where performers stay during filming.

Gray was previously a rugby union player for the England rugby sevens team before transferring to NFL American football.

He was among the 16 “superhumans” who joined the Gladiators line-up when the sports entertainment show was rebooted by the BBC last year.

Gladiators season two launched on BBC One last weekend after millions of viewers tuned in to the first series.

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The original American Gladiators series was broadcast in the US in 1989, with a UK version following in 1992.

The first UK show was presented by Ulrika Jonsson and footballer John Fashanu, while the reboot is fronted by father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh.

Gladiators was brought back on Sky between 2008 and 2009, with the first season hosted by Ian Wright and Kirsty Gallacher. Caroline Flack replaced Gallacher for its second series.

The BBC and Hungry Bear Media declined to comment.