Pauline Quirke: Her years in Emmerdale as tragic Hazel as actress reveals sad diagnosis
Pauline has announced she is stepping away from public life
Pauline Quirke is a familiar face to Emmerdale fans having played devoted mum Hazel Rhodes for two years.
Pauline may have shot to fame as Sharon in BBC comedy Birds of a Feather but she won a whole host of new fans when she joined Emmerdale in 2010 as Hazel.
Here’s everything Hazel got up to in her time in the village.
Hazel’s arrival
Hazel turned up in Emmerdale in the summer of 2010 without warning to surprise son Jackson Walsh – Aaron’s boyfriend. She and Aaron immediately butted heads but they did grow to get along.
In October that year, Jackson was in an accident and paralysed from the neck down. Hazel stuck around to help care for her son. She was an art teacher and started running classes for the villagers.
She became friends with Bob and was a shoulder to cry on for him when there was a fire in Emmerdale and Bob’s wife Viv, and his mate Terry, were both killed.
Making the best of things
With Viv’s death weighing heavily on her, Hazel worried about what would happen if she wasn’t around to look after Jackson. She hired a carer to help but Jackson wasn’t keen.
She and Aaron also introduced Jackson to quadriplegic Steve Kelly, whose wife was pregnant. They hoped that Jackson would see his life wasn’t over. But Jackson wasn’t convinced.
Pauline Quirke’s character helped Jackson with his bucket list
By the spring of the following year, Aaron and Hazel were devastated when they discovered Jackson’s video diary which revealed he wanted to die.
Heartbroken, Hazel and Aaron decided to help Jackson tick off his bucket list including skydiving and a memorable trip to Whitby.
But even that wasn’t enough to change Jackson’s mind. So reluctantly, Hazel agreed to help. She sacked the carer and she and Aaron mixed a lethal cocktail of drugs for when Jackson decided the time was right.
When Jackson chose the time, Hazel was too upset to put the drugs in Jackson’s mouth, so Aaron was the one to do it. She stayed in Emmerdale for a little while afterwards but decided the memories were too hard and she had to move on.
Hazel did ask Aaron to leave with her, but he decided to stay.
Pauline Quirke left Emmerdale in 2012.
Hazel was played by Pauline Quirke. This week, Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, announced that she has decided to step back from public life after being diagnosed with dementia in 2021.
Husband of Pauline Quirke makes a statement
“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,” he said.
“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. Her talent, dedication, and vision have touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work.”
He added: “We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.”
Pauline’s other roles
Pauline played Sharon in Birds of a Feather for 10 years. The show was a huge success and shot Pauline, and her co-stars Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph to fame.
When the comedy ended, Pauline then went in a different direction. She was nominated for a TV BAFTA for her role in sinister drama The Sculptress. She also appeared in Skins, Broadchurch, Maisie Raine, and Missing, among others.
The actress joined Emmerdale in 2010, playing Hazel – mum of Aaron’s boyfriend Jackson Walsh. However, Jackson died in tragic circumstances.
Pauline went on to set up her own theatre school, the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts. In 2022 she was awarded an MBE for services to young people, the entertainment industry and charity.
A spokesperson for charity Alzheimer’s Research UK said they sent best wishes to Pauline and her family. “We are deeply saddened to hear that actress Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia,” the charity shared on X, with many fans sending their love to Pauline in response.
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