The long-running sitcom first aired on BBC One again in 1989 and have become a enormous hit with viewers through the years.
Lesley Jospeh starred in Birds of a Feather alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson (Image: ITV )
Channel 5 is revisiting some of essentially the most memorable moments from the long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather.
Stars of the long-lasting comedy have shared some insights about their time on the present.
The present first aired on the BBC again in 1989 and aired for 9 years earlier than it got here to an finish in 1998.
It adopted the journey of sisters Sharon (Pauline Quirke) and Tracey (Linda Robson), whose lives are turned the other way up when their husbands are jailed for armed theft.
As they adapt to a new life-style, they typically confide of their snobbish neighbour Dorien Green (Lesley Joseph).
Although the sequence was revived by ITV in 2014, it got here to an finish as soon as once more in 2020 after a Christmas particular.
We’re taking a take a look at the place the unique cast of Birds of a Feather are now 36 years after the primary episode.
Linda Robson
Since starring in Birds of a Feather, the actress went on to develop into a common panellist on Loose Women, the place she typically shares updates on her life, together with her current break up from long-term associate Mark Dunford.
Over the years, Linda has been open about her struggles with alcohol addiction, psychological well being battles, and was placed on “suicide watch” by her household.
Linda opened up on how she went from sipping a glass of wine a night time to a bottle a night forward of her sixtieth birthday.
In her memoir’s extract revealed within the Daily Mail, Linda shared: “I hated myself. I told myself I was just a burden to Mark and the kids and that I was ruining all their lives.
“I could not even be trusted with my very own grandchildren. That’s after I began to suppose I’d be higher off lifeless. At least with out me round they’d give you the chance to get on with their lives and would not have to fear about who was going to be taking care of me.
“I told the Nightingale staff I wanted to kill myself and I was immediately put on suicide watch with someone sitting outside my bedroom door the whole time.”
After getting assist at The Priory – a well-known rehabilitation centre for these dwelling with addictions, Linda has since remained alcohol-free, revealing in 2024 that she hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol since.
Stating she’s “never tempted” to drink, Linda continued in her memoir: “There’s no going back now. I’m doing really well.”
Pauline Quirke
After her time on the BBC sitcom, Pauline went on to play Hazel Rhodes in ITV’s Emmerdale between 2010 and 2012. She additionally starred as Susan Wright within the crime drama Broadchurch.
In 2021, it was introduced that Pauline had retired from appearing after being recognized with dementia, though it wasn’t introduced publicly till 2025 by her husband.
At the time, he launched a assertion saying: “We are deeply grateful for the support of her peers, the public and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA [Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts].
“We kindly request privateness and understanding for Pauline and our household throughout this troublesome interval. Pauline simply desires to spend time together with her household, youngsters and grandchildren.”
Last year, her husband Steve Sheen told BBC Breakfast they initially dismissed her symptoms as ‘long covid’. Their son Charlie told the broadcaster: “Our mum is aware of precisely who we’re, each time she sees all of us, she smiles, she laughs, she says hiya.
“She’s good – my mum has always been my best friend, and her condition has not changed that.
Alun Lewis
Alun played the role of Darryl Stubbs in Birds of a Feather before he was replaced by Douglas McFerran in season seven.
The actor decided to leave the series to pursue other acting careers.
He starred as in from August 1993 until December 1998, when his character met a deadly end. During his time on the ITV soap, Alun was a member of the rock band, The Woolpackers, alongside his co-stars Steve Halliwell and Billy Hartman.
It looks as though acting runs in the family, as Alun’s daughter, Amelia Warner who starred in the likes of Lorna Doone and Quills.
Alun has welcomed two A-listers as his son-in-law’s over the years as Amelia was briefly married to Colin Farrell before the pair split in 2001.
Nine years later, she met actor Jamie Dornan and tied the knot in 2013.
Lesley Joseph
After Birds of a Feather, Lesley went on to star in Night and Day and The Secret of Eel Island, although she has appeared in many shows as herself.
In 2022, she went on to win together with her former Birds of a Feather co-star Linda Robson. She additionally competed with Anton Du Beke in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
Alongside her on-screen career, Lesley has been active on the stage, having recently appeared in The Addams Family as Grandma. However, the actress confessed that she believes her showbiz career won’t last forever.
In an honest chat with Woman’s Own magazine last year, the 80-year-old said: “At my age, I do not know the way for much longer I’ve left within the enterprise.
Although it appears as if Lesley has no plans of slowing down, as she added: “I’m still ambitious, but I know my time is limited.”
Peter Polycarpou
Peter Polycarpou starred within the sitcom as Sharon’s’ husband Chris for 5 sequence, a function which was initially performed by David Cardy within the authentic 1989 launch.
Since the sitcom, Peter has starred within the likes of BBC’s Hustle, Grantchester, Riviera and Netflix’s Kaos.
However, his profession has principally been on the stage. The actor was an authentic cast member of and is a two time Olivier Award nominee.
In 2019, he took on the function of Sancho in Man of La Mancha for English National Opera alongside Kelsey Grammar and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
For emotional help, you’ll be able to name the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, e mail jo@samaritans.org, go to a Samaritans department in particular person or go to the Samaritans website.
