Corrie legend Julie Goodyear’s husband watches ‘fun-loving’ star ‘slowly fade away’ in dementia battle
CORONATION Street legend Julie Goodyear’s heartbroken husband has told how he’s watching his “fun-loving” wife “slowly fade away”.
Husband Scott Brand, who first met Julie in 1996 and is 26 years her junior, revealed how the 81-year-old star is deteriorating in her battle with dementia.
The glamorous actress rose to fame as the Rovers Return’s landlady Bet Lynch – first appearing on the show aged 21 in 1966.
Last June Scott revealed Julie had been diagnosed with dementia.
Now he’s told The Mirror: “I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been – the larger-than-life personality that brightened up everywhere she went, and the smile that lit up every room.
“All of this is now slowly fading away and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration. Julie now struggles recognising people and everyone she meets is called ‘Scott’.”
Julie’s traded in her trademark lipstick and leopard print clothing, he added.
“Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her makeup. But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print.”
And the couple are no longer able to enjoy holidays together, their favourite activity.
I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been – the larger-than-life personality that brightened up everywhere she went, and the smile that lit up every room
Scott Brand
Scott and Julie, who married in 2007, met when he delivered plaster to help renovate her home near Rochdale in Greater Manchester.
Julie had been one of the most-loved characters in Corrie since joining in 1966, and only left in November 2003. She was awarded an MBE for her services to drama in 1996.
She was last pictured in October at the Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walks, where she appeared in good spirits smiling alongside Scott.
Julie now relies on a wheelchair and Scott gave up his career to become her full-time carer.
His message for those with relatives suffering with dementia, “get support straight away”.
The couple is now supporting a TV advert launched by the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity Scott described as a “lifeline”.
COLIN FIRTH
The advert, Long Goodbye, is narrated by Colin Firth and shows how the progression of dementia makes mourning difficult.
It shows a son delivering a eulogy at his mother’s wake, recalling the moments in her life when part of her “died”.
One in three Brits born today will develop the condition, was the adverts chilling final message.
Kate Lee, Alzheimer’s Society’s CEO, said: “This campaign seeks to tell the unvarnished truth about the devastation caused by dementia and it is very much informed by people affected by the condition.
“The loved ones of people with dementia often describe it as a ‘living grief’ as, bit by bit, the disease’s relentless progression causes part of the person to die…again and again and again.
“But there is hope. Alzheimer’s Society, through its support services, is there for people affected again and again as they face the grim reality of the long goodbye.”
It comes after Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell revealed he’ll play a key role in a national dementia initiative that honours her.
He will be the People’s Champion of the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission.
It was set up two years ago by then PM Boris Johnson in memory of EastEnders and Carry On legend Babs, who died of Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, age 83.