Pauline Quirke's family have given a heartbreaking update on the actress's dementia battle.
The Birds of a Feather star, 66, was diagnosed with the condition in 2021 and her husband Steve Sheen announced her retirement earlier this year.
Quirke's son Charlie and husband Sheen spoke out about the star's journey with the disease on BBC Breakfast, sharing their "disbelief" at her diagnosis.
They said they are unsure what stage in the syndrome she is at but assured: "She's still funny, she's talking, she's happy."
"My mum has always been a charitable person. It's what she would want me to do," Charlie said on the BBC show on Monday while discussing the fundraising he is doing for Alzheimer's Research UK.
Sheen said they realised something was wrong in November 2020 when Quirke - who was awarded an MBE in 2023 - said she was struggling with a script.
"She started reading it and she phoned me on that day and said, the words are not going in. That's where it started," he recalled.
He added that their reaction after the diagnosis was "disbelief, really", saying: "We looked at each other and went, 'Can't be, it's long Covid. Got the flu'."
Charlie added that he was "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 you have to deal with and learn about".
Dementia is categorised as "young onset" when people start to develop it before the age of 65.
It is a term for a range of conditions that cause progressive damage to brain cells, affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities.
Symptoms include memory loss, difficulty with planning and daily tasks, confusion, and changes in mood or behavior.
Asked what stage Quirke is at in her dementia journey, Sheen said: "We don't know.
"She's still funny. She's talking. She's happy. Is it four years, eight years, 10 years, 12 years, 20, who knows?"
Charlie added: "And that's the problem, no one tells you. My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says 'I love you', says 'hello'."
The father and son discussed how they are coping with living with Quirke's condition.
"Unfortunately we are not in the state where we can do much about it," Sheen said. "Just take every day and try and take the best moment out of that day you can.
"It's a long journey. If we can just help a little bit by using Pauline as the catalyst to make more people aware, then we should, to use her to boost awareness and raise funds for dementia research."
He added: "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."
Charlie revealed: "My mum has always been my best friend, and dementia hasn't changed that.
"She's happy, content and loving for as much of the day as she can give us. But it's a progressive illness and, currently, there is no cure.
"So every day is different for all of us, and that is no different for mum - that's what makes it so difficult. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
"The hardest thing is knowing that there is no cure for dementia. It's not right, and it's not fair.
"As a family, we want to do our bit, which is why we shared mum's diagnosis to raise awareness and it's why we are proud to be Ambassadors for Alzheimer's Research UK."
He is doing a fundraising walk - called Charlie Quirke's Trek For A Cure - for Alzheimer's Research UK in Quirke's honour next month.
He will cover 140 kilometres visiting places shaped her life, including homes she has lived in, theatres and TV studios she has worked at, including the Buckinghamshire headquarters of her children's drama academy.
"This is my mum's legacy," he said.
"This is going to be one of the stops on my trek, because she wanted to nurture the next generation of young actors".
Sheen praised his wife, saying: "What you see is what you get. Loving. Brilliant. She's an iconic actress because her talent is immense."
Charlie added: "She is an incredible, strong, courageous woman that's been through a lot and she keeps going. She's a fighter and it's incredible to see, yeah, very proud of her."
People can support Charlie Quirke's Trek For A Cure, by texting CHARLIE5, CHARLIE10 or CHARLIE20 to 70255 to donate £5, £10 or £20. Alternatively, they can donate online at trek.charliestrek.org.