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Pauline Quirke

Updated: 12/20/2025, 9:27:15 PM Wikipedia source

Pauline Perpetua Sheen (née Quirke; born 8 July 1959) is a retired English actress. She began her career with roles on various television series, before fronting her own comedy sketch show, Pauline's Quirkes, in 1976. She later starred as Vicky Smith on the BBC drama series Angels (1982–1983), and achieved fame with her portrayal of Sharon Theodopolopodous on the long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather (1988–1999, 2014–2017), for which she won a British Comedy Award and was nominated on three occasions for a National Television Award. In 1997, she was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress for her role in the BBC miniseries The Sculptress. Between 2010 and 2012, Quirke played Hazel Rhodes on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Quirke's film appearances include The Elephant Man (1980), Little Dorrit (1987), and Getting It Right (1989). Other television credits include Shine on Harvey Moon (1984–1985, 1995), Maisie Raine (1998–1999), David Copperfield (1999), Down to Earth (2000–2003), Cold Blood (2007–2008), Missing (2009–2010), Skins (2010), Broadchurch (2013–2015), and You, Me and the Apocalypse (2015).

Infobox

Born
Pauline Perpetua Quirke (1959-07-08) 8 July 1959 (age 66)Hackney, London, England
Occupations
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Years active
1970–2022
Television
Birds of a Feather(1988–1999, 2014–2017)Emmerdale (2010–2012) Broadchurch (2013–2015)
Spouse
mw- Steve Sheen (m. 1996)
Children
2, including Charlie
Website
paulinequirke.com

Tables

· Filmography
1970
Role(s)
Molly
Notes
Main role
1971
Dixon of Dock Green
Role(s)
Jane Taylor
Notes
1 episode
Softly, Softly: Task Force
Role(s)
Janice West
Notes
1 episode
1972
The Problem with 2B
Role(s)
Molly
Notes
Main role
1973
Malachi's Cove
Role(s)
Store Girl
Notes
Supporting role
1974
The Tomorrow People
Role(s)
Student
Notes
Recurring role (3 episodes)
Role(s)
Checkout Girl
Notes
1 episode
1975
Role(s)
Dawn
Notes
1 episode
Jenny Can't Work Any Faster
Role(s)
Jenny
Notes
Television film
1975–1976
Role(s)
You Must Be Joking!
Notes
Various
1976
Role(s)
Noreen Beale
Notes
1 episode
Role(s)
Herself - presenter
Notes
6 episodes
1976–1983
Role(s)
Angels
Notes
Kate Morahan/Vicky Smith
1977
Television Club
Role(s)
Pud
Notes
Regular role (6 episodes)
The Duchess of Duke Street
Role(s)
Pearl
Notes
(2 episodes)
1978
Role(s)
Patsy Donovan
Notes
1 episode
1979
Lovely Couple
Role(s)
Carole Richards
Notes
Regular role (11 episodes)
1980
Ain't Many Angels
Role(s)
Various
Notes
Television film
The Further Adventures of Oliver Twist
Role(s)
Charlotte
Notes
Regular role (9 episodes)
Both Ends Meet
Role(s)
Cissy White
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
2nd Whore
Notes
Minor role
1982
Role(s)
Eleanor
Notes
1 episode
The Story of the Treasure Seekers
Role(s)
Eliza
Notes
Regular role (6 episodes)
The Return of the Soldier
Role(s)
Girl in Hospital
Notes
Minor role
Q.E.D
Role(s)
Jane
Notes
1 episode
1984–1995
Role(s)
Shine on Harvey Moon
Notes
Veronica
1986
Girls on Top
Role(s)
Cleaner
Notes
1 episode
1987
Hardwicke House
Role(s)
Gladys
Notes
1 episode
Role(s)
Maggie
Notes
Supporting role
1988
Rockliffe's Babies
Role(s)
Lorraine Morelli
Notes
1 episode
Distant Voices, Still Lives
Role(s)
Doreen
Notes
Supporting role
Role(s)
Mary Taylor
Notes
1 episode
1989
Role(s)
Muriel Sutton
Notes
Supporting role
1989–1998, 2014–2017
Role(s)
Birds of a Feather
Notes
Sharon Theodopolopodous
1995–1996
Role(s)
Jackanory
Notes
Storyteller
1996
Role(s)
Olive Martin
Notes
Main role (4 episodes)
Waiting for Giro
Role(s)
Bo
Notes
Short film
1997
Our Boy
Role(s)
Sonia Williamson
Notes
Television film
The Canterville Ghost
Role(s)
Madame Murielle
Notes
Television film
Deadly Summer
Role(s)
Linda Topping
Notes
Television film
1998–1999
Role(s)
Maisie Raine
Notes
D.I. Maisie Raine
1998–1999
Role(s)
Real Women
Notes
Mandy Evans
1999
Last Christmas
Role(s)
Gwen
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Peggotty
Notes
Main role (2 episodes)
Real Women 2
Role(s)
Mandy Evans
Notes
Main role
2000
Checkout Girl
Role(s)
Lynda
Notes
Short film
2000–2003
Role(s)
Down to Earth
Notes
Faith
2001
Office Gossip
Role(s)
Jo
Notes
Regular role (6 episodes)
Arthur's Dyke
Role(s)
Janet
Notes
Main role
Role(s)
Felia Siderova
Notes
1 episode
Redemption Road
Role(s)
Joan
Notes
Supporting role
2002
Murder in Mind
Role(s)
Jane Saunders
Notes
1 episode
Being April
Role(s)
April
Notes
Regular role (6 episodes)
2004
Carrie's War
Role(s)
Hepzibah Green
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Dixon
Notes
Regular role (4 episodes)
2005
Role(s)
Cathy Wilson
Notes
Recurring role (5 episodes)
2006
The Thieving Headmistress
Role(s)
Colleen McCabe
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Jackie Rogers
Notes
1 episode
2007–2008
Role(s)
Cold Blood
Notes
D.I. Hazel Norton
2008
Role(s)
Joan
Notes
1 episode
2009–2010
Role(s)
Missing
Notes
D.S. Mary Jane Croft
2010
Role(s)
D.S. Blunt
Notes
Recurring role (3 episodes)
Role(s)
Mrs. Grieves
Notes
Supporting role
2010–2012
Role(s)
Emmerdale
Notes
Hazel Rhodes
2013
Grace's Story
Role(s)
Nat
Notes
Short film
2013–2015
Role(s)
Broadchurch
Notes
Susan Wright
2015
Role(s)
Paula
Notes
Regular role (6 episodes)
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1970
Junket 89
Molly
Main role
1971
Dixon of Dock Green
Jane Taylor
1 episode
Softly, Softly: Task Force
Janice West
1 episode
1972
The Problem with 2B
Molly
Main role
1973
Malachi's Cove
Store Girl
Supporting role
1974
The Tomorrow People
Student
Recurring role (3 episodes)
Play for Today
Checkout Girl
1 episode
1975
Shadows
Dawn
1 episode
Jenny Can't Work Any Faster
Jenny
Television film
1975–1976
You Must Be Joking!
Various
(3 episodes)
1976
Beasts
Noreen Beale
1 episode
1976
Pauline's Quirkes
Herself - presenter
6 episodes
1976–1983
Angels
Kate Morahan/Vicky Smith
Regular roles (66 episodes)
1977
Television Club
Pud
Regular role (6 episodes)
The Duchess of Duke Street
Pearl
(2 episodes)
1978
Crown Court
Patsy Donovan
1 episode
1979
Lovely Couple
Carole Richards
Regular role (11 episodes)
1980
Ain't Many Angels
Various
Television film
The Further Adventures of Oliver Twist
Charlotte
Regular role (9 episodes)
Both Ends Meet
Cissy White
Television film
The Elephant Man
2nd Whore
Minor role
1982
Play for Today
Eleanor
1 episode
The Story of the Treasure Seekers
Eliza
Regular role (6 episodes)
The Return of the Soldier
Girl in Hospital
Minor role
Q.E.D
Jane
1 episode
1984–1995
Shine on Harvey Moon
Veronica
Recurring roles (13 episodes)
1986
Girls on Top
Cleaner
1 episode
1987
Hardwicke House
Gladys
1 episode
Little Dorrit
Maggie
Supporting role
1988
Rockliffe's Babies
Lorraine Morelli
1 episode
Distant Voices, Still Lives
Doreen
Supporting role
Casualty
Mary Taylor
1 episode
1989
Getting It Right
Muriel Sutton
Supporting role
1989–1998, 2014–2017
Birds of a Feather
Sharon Theodopolopodous
Main role (128 episodes)
1995–1996
Jackanory
Storyteller
2 episodes
1996
The Sculptress
Olive Martin
Main role (4 episodes)
Waiting for Giro
Bo
Short film
1997
Our Boy
Sonia Williamson
Television film
The Canterville Ghost
Madame Murielle
Television film
Deadly Summer
Linda Topping
Television film
1998–1999
Maisie Raine
Maisie Raine
Main role (12 episodes)
1998–1999
Real Women
Mandy Evans
Regular role (7 episodes)
1999
Last Christmas
Gwen
Television film
David Copperfield
Peggotty
Main role (2 episodes)
Real Women 2
Mandy Evans
Main role
2000
Checkout Girl
Lynda
Short film
2000–2003
Down to Earth
Faith
Regular role (18 episodes)
2001
Office Gossip
Jo
Regular role (6 episodes)
Arthur's Dyke
Janet
Main role
· Selected stage credits
2012
Role(s)
Sharon Theodopolopodous
Notes
UK Tour
2016–2017
Role(s)
Cinderella
Notes
Fairy Godmother
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1990–1991
Cinderella
Ugly Sister
Hackney Empire
1991–1992
Dick Whittington
Dick
Hackney Empire
2012
Birds of a Feather
Sharon Theodopolopodous
UK Tour
2016–2017
Cinderella
Fairy Godmother
The Beck Theatre, Hayes
· Awards and nominations
1990
1990
Year
1990
Nominated For
Birds of a Feather
Award
British Comedy Awards
Category
Best TV Comedy Newcomer
Result
Won
1990
1990
Year
1990
Nominated For
Best TV Comedy Actress
Award
Nominated
1997
1997
Year
1997
Nominated For
The Sculptress
Award
BAFTA TV Awards
Category
Best Actress
Result
Nominated
1997
1997
Year
1997
Nominated For
Birds of a Feather
Award
National Television Awards
Category
Most Popular Comedy Performer
Result
Nominated
1998
1998
Year
1998
Nominated For
Most Popular Actress
Award
Nominated
1999
1999
Year
1999
Nominated For
Most Popular Comedy Performer
Award
Nominated
2001
2001
Year
2001
Nominated For
Office Gossip
Award
Nominated
2002
2002
Year
2002
Nominated For
Down to Earth
Award
Most Popular Actress
Category
Nominated
2011
2011
Year
2011
Nominated For
Emmerdale
Award
British Soap Awards
Category
Best Newcomer
Result
Nominated
2011
2011
Year
2011
Nominated For
TV Choice Awards
Award
Best Soap Actress
Category
Nominated
2011
2011
Year
2011
Nominated For
Inside Soap Awards
Award
Best Actress
Category
Nominated
2011
2011
Year
2011
Nominated For
Best Newcomer
Award
Nominated
2013
2013
Year
2013
Nominated For
Broadchurch
Award
Crime Thriller Awards
Category
Best Supporting Actress Dagger
Result
Nominated
Year
Nominated For
Award
Category
Result
1990
Birds of a Feather
British Comedy Awards
Best TV Comedy Newcomer
Won
1990
Best TV Comedy Actress
Nominated
1997
The Sculptress
BAFTA TV Awards
Best Actress
Nominated
1997
Birds of a Feather
National Television Awards
Most Popular Comedy Performer
Nominated
1998
Most Popular Actress
Nominated
1999
Most Popular Comedy Performer
Nominated
2001
Office Gossip
Nominated
2002
Down to Earth
Most Popular Actress
Nominated
2011
Emmerdale
British Soap Awards
Best Newcomer
Nominated
2011
TV Choice Awards
Best Soap Actress
Nominated
2011
Inside Soap Awards
Best Actress
Nominated
2011
Best Newcomer
Nominated
2013
Broadchurch
Crime Thriller Awards
Best Supporting Actress Dagger
Nominated

References

  1. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63714/supplement/B23
  2. The Book of Beasts: Folklore, Popular Culture and Nigel Kneale's ATV TV Series
    https://books.google.com/books?id=XjfaEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22pauline+quirke%22+%221959%22&pg=PT201
  3. Where Have I Gone?
    https://books.google.com/books?id=1xmqS8irP20C&pg=PP1
  4. The Book of Beasts: Folklore, Popular Culture and Nigel Kneale's ATV TV Series
    https://books.google.com/books?id=XjfaEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22pauline+quirke%22+%221959%22&pg=PT201
  5. "BBC TV & Food Masterchef Bio's"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071127133107/http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/masterchef/celeb_biogs_index2.shtml
  6. "Jenny Can't Work Any Faster"
    https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-fe2g8x/jenny-cant-work-any-faster/
  7. "PAULINE'S QUIRKES 1976"
    https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1970s/paulines-quirkes/
  8. "Beasts (1976)"
    http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1232046/index.html2
  9. Fun with the Famous
  10. Bedford Today
    https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/education/pauline-quirke-academy-hosts-free-open-day-in-bedford-3533628
  11. "Pauline Quirke Academy - Our Story"
    https://www.pqacademy.com/what-we-do/our-story/
  12. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a222433/pauline-quirke-joins-emmerdale.html
  13. "You, Me and the Apocalypse – Character Guide – British Comedy Guide"
    http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/you_me_apocalypse/characters/
  14. "'Birds of a Feather' returning for Christmas special without Pauline Quirke"
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/birds-of-a-feather-christmas-special-pauline-quirke-154129158.html
  15. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a634764/birds-of-a-feather-renewed-for-12th-series-by-itv.html#~p6JzUcgaezVaUG
  16. "Pauline Quirke MBE"
    https://www.pqacademy.com/about-us/pauline-quirke-mbe/
  17. "The Stage Scholarships 2014 – Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140714185743/http://www.thestage.co.uk/columns/scholarships/2014/04/stage-scholarships-2014-pauline-quirke-academy-performing-arts/
  18. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63714/supplement/B23
  19. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxengknyvgo
  20. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a319276/british-soap-awards-2011-the-winners/
  21. "TV Choice Award Winners 2011"
    https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2011/0914/432278-tvawards/
  22. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a342413/inside-soap-awards-2011-the-full-winners-list/
  23. Crime Time UK
    https://www.crimetime.co.uk/Specsavers-Crime-Thriller-Awards-Shortlist-Announcement-heralds-the-return-of-the-TV-Book-Club/
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