Pauline Quirke’s husband Steve Sheen has admitted he doesn’t know how long she has left to live in a heartbreaking interview on BBC Breakfast on Monday.

Steve spoke about his wife’s diagnosis for the first time after she was diagnosed with the illness in 2021 – as their son Charlie shared unseen pictures of his mother.

Steve detailed how he initially dismissed Pauline’s symptoms as ‘long Covid’.

He said: ‘Around November 2020, a script came in, she started reading it and she phoned me on that day and said, ‘the words aren’t going in.’ That’s where it started.’ We thought, “Can’t be. It’s long covid. You’ve got the flu.”

‘It’s so gradual that for the first year, two years you’re thinking, “No, she’s alright.” Now, three or four years in, it’s a little bit different.’

Steve acknowledged he doesn’t know they have left with Pauline, 66, saying: ‘We didn’t know how long it lasts or how long you have with it or how bad it is or how quick it is.’

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Pauline Quirke’s husband Steve, (right) admitted on BBC Breakfast on Monday that he doesn’t know how long the Birds Of A Feather star has left to live, (pictured with their son Charlie)

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Charlie shared unseen pictures of his mother on Instagram on Monday as he revealed the emotional journey he’s taking on to honour her amid her dementia battle

‘She’s still funny, she’s talking, she’s happy. Is it four years, eight years, ten years, 12 years, 20 years, who knows?’

‘We’re just trying to make people aware of the condition. We’re very private people, we don’t do this but for this cause, we need to.’

Pauline and Steve’s son Charlie took to social media on Monday to share unseen pictures of his mother amid an epic new challenge he’s undertaking in her honour.

On December 8, Charlie will set out on a 140km trek for his mother.

He said: ‘It’s what my mum wants me to do. I’m doing it for her, and for every family that has experienced the devastation of dementia, because we must do all we can to find a cure.’

His emotional journey will see him follow Pauline’s footsteps from aspiring actress to sitcom superstar, taking in places of special meaning, each stop filled with memories. Then he’ll carry them all back home with him for Christmas.

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On December 8, Charlie will set out on a 140km trek for his mother

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Pauline, 66, was diagnosed with dementia back in 2021 (pictured with Charlie and Steve)

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Charlie said: ‘It’s what my mum wants me to do. I’m doing it for her, and for every family that has experienced the devastation of dementia, because we must do all we can to find a cure’

Charlie is taking on this challenge for Pauline. And for every family affected by dementia. To bring hope home. Hope of a cure.

‘It’s going to be physically and emotionally challenging,’ he said.

‘I imagine each day will be a mix of tears, laughs and above all else, so much love for my mum.;

Over the next three weeks Charlie will be gearing up for the trek, and we’ll be sharing more on his challenge.

Pauline’s loved ones have now shared how they are unsure of the exact stage of the disease Pauline is at, admitting they are taking things one day at a time, although she is often ‘still funny, talking and happy’.

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The iconic Birds Of A Father star, 66 –  (pictured with her co-stars Lesley Joseph as Dorien and Linda Robson as Tracey)

Earlier this year, Pauline announced she was stepping away from acting after battling the condition for three years.

In a statement revealing Pauline’s diagnosis for the first time, Steve said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of Dementia in 2021.

‘Pauline has been an inspiration through her work in the film and TV industry, her charity endeavours and as the founder of the very successful Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).

‘Her talent, dedication, and vision have touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA where her vision and guidance has facilitated many young peoples’ progression and interest in the Arts and enhanced their self-confidence.’

As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress.

He added: ‘Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years.

‘In drama, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress, was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch.

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Pauline with her husband Steve and son Charlie pictured in November 2010

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It comes after earlier this year, Pauline announced she was stepping away from acting after battling the condition for three years

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As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress

‘Demonstrating her acting versatility, she also starred or appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, Thieving Headmistress, My Family, You, Me and the Apocalypse, and of course Emmerdale.

‘During her epic 50 year career, Pauline has been nominated for many awards, including Best TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards.

‘In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours. It was a heartfelt recognition of her incredible work with young people, her contributions to entertainment, and her dedication to charitable causes.

‘Her acting career has now come to a close, but Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline’s ideology.’

Pauline married her husband Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, who has followed in his mother’s acting footsteps, and even starred on Birds Of A Feather’s revival in 2019.

The star also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.

Breakfast airs everyday from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.