Birds of a Feather star's son on dementia walk

The son of Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke has been on the third of five days of a 140km (87-mile) fundraising walk for Alzheimer's research, taking in "iconic locations" from his mother's life and career.

The 66-year-old actress, who also starred in Emmerdale and Broadchurch, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021.

Charlie Quirke, 31, who walked 28km (18 miles) along the Thames Path in Surrey and London on Wednesday, said it had been "very, very emotional, probably a lot more than I was expecting".

He told BBC Radio Surrey: "It has been overwhelming and I want to thank everyone that has been involved in our story so far."

The walk on Wednesday took in places along the Thames Path including Richmond and Walton-on-Thames.

Mr Quirke added: "We're in Surrey because we spent lots of times on the river here, and the Birds of a Feather studios were nearby in Teddington.

"That was where my mum crafted her career and spent so many years filming."

Mr Quirke said his mother's brother lived in Surrey and he joined him on the third day of the walk.

"There has been an outpouring of love for my mum and people think it's an amazing thing I'm doing raising awareness of Alzheimer's research," he added.

"The messages of support have been incredible."

The walk started on Monday in Chigwell, Esssex, where Birds of a Feather was set.

The 31-year-old, who is an actor and presenter, said his mother had been his "role model on and off screen".

He added: "If you lived with a person that talented you couldn't but help following in her footsteps."

Mr Quirke said of his mother: "She is good. She is very, very proud of me.

"We take every day as it comes."

Pauline Quirke's Birds of a Feather co-star Linda Robson, who was at the start of the walk on Monday, said: "I've watched Charlie grow up, and so to see him doing this for his mum is something really special.

"Being a mum has always been the role that matters most to Pauline.

"She's such a selfless person, so to watch Charlie doing this for others will mean the absolute world to her."

So far the challenge has raised almost £120,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK.

The walk is set to finish at the family home in Buckinghamshire on Friday.

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