Linda Robson of Loose Women Delves into Her Friendship with Pauline Quirke, Revealing Candid Feelings of 'Envy' trucc

Loose Women presenter Linda Robson has opened up on her feelings towards her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke, admitting that she was once 'envious' of her success

Loose Women's Linda Robson has confessed that she felt "envious" upon seeing her Birds of a Feather co-star, Pauline Quirke, tackle "amazing roles".

The story of Linda and Pauline's friendship dates back to their schooldays, as they met at the age of 10.

Their friendship blossomed through their teenage years when they joined a drama club together, which eventually led to starring in the BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather from 1989.

Following a remarkable run of 25 years on Birds of a Feather, with a hiatus along the way, Linda recently reflected on her sentiment regarding Pauline's impressive achievements outside of their shared screen experience.

During a Loose Women podcast, where Jane Moore questioned Linda on any feelings of jealousy towards Pauline's career, the actress replied: "I won't say that I felt jealous of her success, but sometimes I thought I'd love to have a part like that because she's done some amazing things in the past like Broadchurch and lots and lots of different things."

She elaborated, saying: "So I've never been jealous of it, but I've just often thought that I would have loved that part myself, and I've even told her that as well."

Expounding further, Linda clarified: "Envious rather than jealous. I don't want her to do something that goes wrong either, whatever happened, I'd be there to help her."

Despite sharing the screen in all 12 series of the beloved show, Pauline wouldn't join the cast for the 2020 Christmas Special of Birds of a Feather.

In a conversation with Mail+ last year, Linda recalled Pauline's words: "'I don't want to act any more', she said," and continued by sharing that Pauline also expressed: "'It's not Birds Of A Feather itself, it's everything. I feel like I'm done with it. I feel bad for you two, but you can go on without me'."

Beyond her iconic role in Birds of a Feather, Pauline has enjoyed an illustrious acting career, gracing some of the UK's most acclaimed TV productions.

Her memorable performance as Hazel Rhodes in Emmerdale from 2010 to 2012 is particularly noteworthy, involving her in gripping narratives including the assisted suicide of her character's son Jackson Walsh, leading to Hazel and her son's boyfriend, Aaron Dingle (played by Danny Miller), being implicated in his murder.

Pauline's extensive television portfolio further includes appearances in popular British series such as Broadchurch, where she played Susan Wright over the course of two series. Such was the success of the gripping ITV show, that it received a British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2014 as well as also claiming the Best Drama at the Press Guild Awards.