‘Every day is different’: Pauline Quirke’s son shares fresh update on her condition and the work he’s doing to help ‘find a cure for Alzheimer’s’
Charlie believes that there's someone alive today who will be the first to be cured of the condition as he shares what life is currently like for his mum
Pauline Quirke was diagnosed with young-onset dementia in 2021 at the age of 61, but chose to keep her condition private until her family made the news public in January 2025.
Her husband Steve Sheen, and son, Charlie Quirke, have occasionally offered insights into her health since the news broke, but Charlie has now offered a fresh update on his mum's health.
Charlie, also an actor, appeared on Lorraine to speak to host Lorraine Kelly about the "hopeful" campaign he's taking part in with Alzheimer's Research UK, called The First One.
The campaign is built around the belief that the first person to be cured of Alzheimer’s could already be alive, and puts "a positive light on something that doesn't have lot of positivity," as Charlie says.
When asked how his mum is, Charlie shares, "She's great. Every day is different and that's part of our journey but we still do as much as we can."
While photos of a smiling Pauline are shown on screen, Charlie adds that as a family they "still go out to lunch," and that his mum still watches football with him. "She still watches all the games," he says.
He continues sweetly, "We've got such a close family unit, that helps us on our journey," concluding, "touch wood, she's happy."
Charlie has spent time talking to people who knew his mum well, sharing that he's learned what a high opinion others had of her in the process.
"She's just an absolute legend," he says, adding, "exactly what everyone would expect of Pauline Quirke and she's what I expected of my mum."
Since Pauline's diagnosis, Charlie has raised around £330,000 for Alzheimer's research, and raised some of the funds by taking part in a 150km trek and completing a marathon.
"The reason I'm doing this and being an ambassador for Alzheimer's UK is for my beautiful mum and for other people going through the same thing," he says, adding that Pauline is with him "every step of the way."
Speaking of Alzheimer's as a condition, Charlie says, "We're getting closer to a cure," with Lorraine suggesting, "It's true - it could be a newborn baby or it could be somebody older than that," who are cured of the degenerative condition in the future.
Charlie says that his family feel very supported by the public and fans of Pauline. "We really do feel the love and affection, and we're very fortunate for how close we are as a family."
He adds that as a family unit, along with both his parents they spend "so much time together" every day.
He concludes by thanking the public for their "love and support," and for the messages they send which have been "incredible."
