Pauline Quirke's family condemn AI-generated pictures of star amid her dementia battle
The family of actress Pauline Quirke - who has stepped away from the spotlight after being diagnosed with dementia - have hit out at "false" AI-generated images depicting the Birds of a Feather star.
Pauline Quirke's family have blasted AI-generated pictures of the actress.
The Birds of a Feather star, 66, stepped away from the spotlight after being diagnosed with dementia in 2021 and her loved ones have taken to Instagram to condemn "false" images depicting Pauline in bed with her husband Steve Sheen at her side.
Alongside the AI picture, they wrote on the social media platform: "Please be aware that images and posts currently circulating about Pauline Quirke are AI-generated.
"No one outside of Pauline's family and close friends knows her current condition.
"Please do not believe or share articles, images, or updates from unofficial sources.
"These false posts cause unnecessary worry and spread a great deal of sadness."
They added: "Let's respect Pauline and her family's privacy and rely only on confirmed, official statements.
"Please share to help stop the spread of misinformation."
The former Emmerdale star's dementia diagnosis was made public last year but her son Charlie Quirke revealed in November that Pauline was still able to recognise her family.
He told BBC Breakfast: "My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says 'I love you', says 'hello'."
Quirke's husband Steve explained that they aren't sure exactly where the actress in terms of the dementia - which causes a decline in thinking and memory skills.
He said: "Unfortunately, we are not in the state where we can do much about it. Just take every day, and try and take the best moment out of that day you can.
"It's so gradual that for the first year, two years, you're thinking, 'Ah, she's alright'.
"Now, we're three or four years in, it's a little bit different. This is why awareness is important. We didn't know how long it lasts or how long you have with it, or how bad it is or how quick it is."
Steve and Charlie revealed their initial "disbelief" at Pauline's diagnosis.
Steve recalled: "We looked at each other and went, 'No, it can't be. It's long COVID, you've got the flu.'"
Charlie added: "Quite surprised that this was possible in a woman in her 60s, and it can happen to people in their 50s, people in their 40s.
"So it's something that you have to deal with and learn about."
