Birds of a Feather cast now from devastating diagnosis to addiction battle SD
The long-running sitcom first aired on BBC One back in 1989 and became a huge hit with viewers over the years.
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Lesley Jospeh starred in Birds of a Feather alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson (Image: ITV )
Channel 5 is revisiting some of the most memorable moments from the long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather.
Stars of the iconic comedy have shared some insights about their time on the show.
The show first aired on the BBC back in 1989 and aired for nine years before it came to an end in 1998.
It followed the journey of sisters Sharon (Pauline Quirke) and Tracey (Linda Robson), whose lives are turned upside down when their husbands are jailed for armed robbery.
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As they adapt to a new lifestyle, they often confide in their snobbish neighbour Dorien Green (Lesley Joseph).
Although the series was revived by ITV in 2014, it came to an end once again in 2020 after a Christmas special.
We’re taking a look at where the original cast of Birds of a Feather are now 36 years after the first episode.
Linda Robson
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Linda Robson stared as Tracey Stubbs in the sitcom(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)
Since starring in Birds of a Feather, the actress went on to become a regular panellist on Loose Women, where she often shares updates on her life, including her recent split from long-term partner Mark Dunford.
Over the years, Linda has been open about her struggles with alcohol addiction, mental health battles, and was put on “suicide watch” by her family.
Linda opened up on how she went from sipping a glass of wine a night to a bottle an evening ahead of her 60th birthday.
In her memoir’s extract published in 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 couldn’t even be trusted with my own grandchildren. That’s when I started to think I’d be better off dead. At least without me around they’d be able to get on with their lives and wouldn’t have to worry about who was going to be looking after 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 help at The Priory – a well-known rehabilitation centre for those living 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.”
