Linda Robson responds to Pauline Quirke feud rumours

Linda Robson has responded to reports that she has fallen out with her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke, after sharing a selfie with her on International Women's Day.

Amid rumours of a rift between the two long-time friends and colleagues, Robson shut down the claims in an interview with The Mirror.

She said: "People say Pauline and I have fallen out. Obviously I couldn't see her during lockdown but I've seen her since. She just doesn't want to act anymore. She's had enough — it's long hours."

Robson also explained how Quirke was a massive help to her when she was suffering from alcohol addiction and struggling with her OCD.

Read More: Lesley Joseph 'confirms' end of Birds Of A Feather

She said: "When I was ill, both Pauline and Lesley rang me, or a member of my family, every couple of days to see how I was. They were both a big support and really there for me."

Quirke had declined to return to Birds of a Feather for a special episode in 2020, saying she would prefer to focus on her string of arts academies.

At the time, Quirke said she needed to focus on the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts as the business had been closed for six months because of Covid-19 enforced lockdowns.

Outside of Birds of a Feather, Quirke hadn't appeared on screens since 2015 in episodes of Broadchurch and You, Me and the Apocalypse.

Birds of a Feather, which also stars Lesley Joseph, originally started airing in 1989 and ran until 1998 before it was revived by ITV in 2014 with the original cast all returning.

The revival was ITV's highest rated comedy series since Barbara in 2000. There were three revival seasons and two Christmas specials before Quirke declined to return to the role of Sharon.

There was another special without Quirke before ITV confirmed that the show would not be returning for another series.

Watch below: Linda Robson confirms end of Birds of a Feather