Birds Of A Feather’s Linda Robson breaks her silence on Pauline Quirke feud

Linda Robson has broken her silence on her reported feud with Pauline Quirke and the real reason why the actress didn’t appear in the Birds Of A Feather Christmas special.  

Back in February, it was reported claimed Pauline, 61, is no longer on amicable terms with Linda, 62, after she was involved in a tense face-off with fellow TV star Lesley Joseph, 75, outside TV studio toilets. 

Now, Linda has said it was Pauline’s ‘choice’ not to appear in the one-off episode last year and that the cast had ‘to respect’ her decision.  

Speaking out: Linda Robson has broken her silence on her reported feud with Pauline Quirke and the real reason why the actress didn’t appear in the Birds Of A Feather Christmas special

Pauline’s character Sharon Theodopolopodous was written out of the episode as being ‘stuck on a Covid cruise’.  

The Loose Women panellist told the Express: ‘Obviously people miss Pauline, but we have to respect that it was her choice not to do it anymore.

‘She wants to concentrate on her academy. When they (the producers) asked us, we were like, “Yeah we would still like to do it. We’re not ready to finish.”

‘I think it worked really well as they did a good script, and we did the best we could with it.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Pauline’s representatives for comment.  

Fall out? Back in February, it was reported claimed Pauline, 61, is no longer on amicable terms with Linda, 62, (pictured 1988)

Fall out? Back in February, it was reported claimed Pauline, 61, is no longer on amicable terms with Linda, 62, (pictured 1988)

The Sun previously alleged the bust-up with Lesley could date back to 1997, when Pauline received a BAFTA nomination for her role in The Sculptress, and reportedly asked for a bigger salary for her Birds Of A Feather stint through her manager husband Steve Sheen. 

The insider said: ‘Steve was not especially popular on set. He asked for more money, which he felt was valid after her Bafta nomination, so the women started to drift apart.

‘The sense now is that they will never repair their friendship. Linda does not believe they will ever speak again.’ 

Feud?: Now, Linda has said it was Pauline's 'choice' not to appear in the one-off episode last year and that the cast had 'to respect' her decision. Linda and Pauline are pictured in 1993

Feud?: Now, Linda has said it was Pauline’s ‘choice’ not to appear in the one-off episode last year and that the cast had ‘to respect’ her decision. Linda and Pauline are pictured in 1993

MailOnline contacted representatives for Linda, Pauline and Lesley for further comment at the time.

Last month, Loose Women panellist Linda left Pauline out of a gushing Instagram post paying tribute to her ‘favourite girls,’ after nearly 50 years of friendship.

Following reports that the pair have fallen out following a huge row, the presenter posted a gallery of snaps featuring female friends and loved ones to mark ‘Galentine’s Day’ on February 14, with Pauline absent. 

Her post included several snaps with her Loose Women co-stars, including an image with Nadia Sawalha from her emotional return to the show last year.  

Ouch: Last month, Loose Women panellist Linda left Pauline out of a gushing Instagram post paying tribute to her 'favourite girls'

Ouch: Last month, Loose Women panellist Linda left Pauline out of a gushing Instagram post paying tribute to her ‘favourite girls’ 

Observant: Several of her followers noted that Pauline was absent from the tribute and questioned why

Observant: Several of her followers noted that Pauline was absent from the tribute and questioned why

The post was captioned: ‘A few (but not all) of my favourite gals #Galentine.’ 

Several of Linda’s followers noted that Pauline was absent from the tribute, with one writing: ‘Can we see one of you and Pauline?’

Another added: ‘@lindarobson58 where’s Pauline Quirke?’ with a third writing: ‘The fact Pauline is missing is very disappointing. Friends should be able to conquer anything.   

Pauline and Linda played sisters in the hit comedy, and as real-life childhood best friends appeared to be a perfect fit for the roles. 

Face-off? According to a report, Pauline was involved in a tense face-off with fellow TV star Lesley Joseph, 75, outside TV studio toilets (pictured in 2012)

Face-off? According to a report, Pauline was involved in a tense face-off with fellow TV star Lesley Joseph, 75, outside TV studio toilets (pictured in 2012)

But the frequent on-screen bickering between their characters Sharon and Tracey Stubbs appears to have exploded into the actors’ real lives, prompting fears for the future of the long-running programme. 

The Mail on Sunday first revealed that a seemingly irreparable rift has developed between Pauline and Linda, whose bond once helped cement their reputation as among the UK’s most popular double acts.

Insiders said there have been ‘real and tense issues’ which resulted in Pauline refusing to take part in the 30th anniversary show, which aired in 2019.

At the same time, Linda grew closer to co-star Lesley, who plays man-eating neighbour Dorien Green, and the pair decided not to ask Pauline to take part in 2020’s Christmas special.

The fall-out seemingly marks an end to Pauline’s much-loved character of Sharon, whose recent absences have been explained by the character heading off on a cruise. 

The trio shot to fame in 1989 when Birds Of A Feather began on BBC1. Following the lives of two sisters who move in together after their husbands are jailed for armed robbery, it ran for nine years.

It was later revived in 2014 on ITV by its original writers and creators Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. 

Back in the day: The trio shot to fame in 1989 when Birds Of A Feather began on BBC1 (pictured 2015)

Back in the day: The trio shot to fame in 1989 when Birds Of A Feather began on BBC1 (pictured 2015)