Pauline Quirke's son Charlie discusses her dementia battle and says she's 'still the funniest woman in the world' as he prepares to run the London Marathon in her honour

Pauline Quirke's son Charlie appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday to talk about her dementia battle - and said she's 'still the funniest woman in the world'.

The actor, 31, who starred alongside Pauline, 66, in the ITV revival of Birds of a Feather, heaped praise on his 'best friend' as he revealed he was preparing to run the London Marathon in her honour. 

Charlie said he would be carrying a photo of himself and Pauline around the 26-mile route through London as he spoke openly about her ongoing dementia. 

He explained: 'She's still my best friend... She's still the funniest woman in the world and with her acting ability she can do so much with a look or a wink or a word, and she's still the funniest person that I know.

'The illness is what it is, it's a marathon and not a sprint, we take every day as it comes and every day is a good day for us. 

'We don't know any different, this is just the hand of the cards we've been dealt and it's different for everyone around the country that's going through the same thing. 

'We take every day as it comes, every day is a school day, and we try and do the best we can and learn about the condition, us and mum, and smile.'

Charlie, who is running the London Marathon on Sunday for Alzheimer's Research UK, continued: '[Mum] will be up watching up, they always watch it every year and now this time their little boy will be running it. 

'I'll be carrying a photo of me and my mum together so, I only found it yesterday it's from the day I was born, my dad gave it to me, so I'm going to have that in my vest and take it out when I cross the finish line. 

'I never said I would do [the marathon], but I've got an amazing few friends doing it with me, and we're doing it all for my mum and for everyone else suffering with the condition.'

Looking back over his mum's career, Charlie said: 'My mum has always been the most humble woman in the world, it was just purely a job to her.

'She would be thinking about what she was going to cook us for dinner, or what has to go in the washing machine for our uniforms the next day.

'We all can look back, and the amount of decades my mum has been working, it's quite a breadth of work, what she's done, she's changed people's lives and she's just an incredible, incredible woman.'

It comes after Charlie praised his 'selfless and caring' mother in emotional resurfaced tribute - after her husband Steve Sheen revealed she is set to 'step away from all commercial and professional duties,' following her dementia diagnosis in 2021.

Pauline's last public appearance saw her proudly receiving an MBE at Windsor Castle in February 2023.

After being recognised for services to young people, entertainment and charity, Charlie shared his pride in an update.

He wrote: 'To my beautiful mum. I can't start to tell you how proud I am of my mum getting her MBE today.

'Her services to charity, young people & the entertainment industry. To the most selfless, funniest and most caring person I know. Mad day to be honest. Here's to you mum.'

At the time, the actress beamed with pride as Prince William bestowed her with the honour and shook her hand.

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.

In a statement revealing her diagnosis for the first time, her husband 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.

'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. 

'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.'

He continued: '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. 

'Our experienced senior leadership team will maintain the Academies' success and growth, building on the foundations, ethos and philosophy that Pauline has inspired from the beginning in 2007.

'We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period.

'For the time being we will not be engaging in interviews or making further statements, since Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.

'We are deeply grateful for the support from her peers, the public, and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA.'

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. 

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.