Lesley Joseph admits making the 'Birds of a Feather' Christmas special without Pauline Quirke was "very strange".
Lesley Joseph
The 75-year-old actress has reprised her role as Dorien Green for the Christmas special, but Pauline - who played Sharon Theodopolopodous in the long-running sitcom - opted against appearing in the show.
Reflecting on her absence, Lesley said: "We did miss her and it was a very strange feeling because as you said we’ve been together for over 30 years so there’s an incredible bond. I think Pauline wants to concentrate on other things, which I totally get - that’s absolutely fine."
Linda Robson reprised her role as Tracey Stubbs to make the Christmas special.
But she also admitted to missing her long-time co-star.
She told ITV's 'Lorraine': "Of course we missed her."
Despite Pauline's absence, Lesley and Linda, 62, were both still thrilled to return to the sitcom.
And Lesley has promised fans they'll be able to enjoy a "very funny episode" this Christmas.
She said: "I think we’ve got too much love for them really. So Linda and I needed to carry on with Tracy and Dorien really.
"But I think there’s a lot of life in the old girls yet, to be honest, I think we’re still alive and kicking. It’s a very funny episode."
The official synopsis of the Christmas special recently teased details of the episode.
It reads: "Tracey and Dorien have been getting right on each others’ thruppennies, while Sharon has escaped to the other side of the world and is stuck on a COVID-cruise … Who can fill the Sharon-shaped hole in their lives this Christmas?"
Tagged in Pauline Quirke Linda Robson Lesley Joseph