Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear’s husband shares a rare picture of the actress in sweet update following her dementia diagnosis
World

Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear’s husband shares a rare picture of the actress in sweet update following her dementia diagnosis

Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear’s husband shares a rare picture of the actress in sweet update following her dementia diagnosis

Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear’s husband has posted a new picture of the star as he shared a rare update on his wife following her dementia diagnosis.

The iconic Bet Lynch actress smiled in the heartwarming snap, which was taken on her 83rd birthday on March 29 by her husband Scott Brand, 55.

The photo was taken at Julie’s Lancashire home and posted online by Scott, who wrote: ‘Just got home with my lovely wife and we’ve had a fantastic day together.’

He added: ‘Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes from both of us.’

The update was posted on Facebook, which is where he shares updates on Julie with her fans, friends and family. 

Julie, who spent over 25 years on the soap where she is remembered as the landlady of the Rovers Return, announced her dementia diagnosis in June 2023.

Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear’s husband has shared a new picture of the star as he shared a rare update on the actress following her dementia diagnosis

The photo was taken at Julie's Lancashire home and posted online by Scott, who wrote: 'Just got home with my lovely wife and we’ve had a fantastic day together'

The photo was taken at Julie’s Lancashire home and posted online by Scott, who wrote: ‘Just got home with my lovely wife and we’ve had a fantastic day together’

The iconic Bet Lynch actress smiled in the heartwarming snap, which was taken on her 83rd birthday on March 29 by her husband Scott Brand, 55

The iconic Bet Lynch actress smiled in the heartwarming snap, which was taken on her 83rd birthday on March 29 by her husband Scott Brand, 55

Julie’s fans were delighted to see the update, sharing their thoughts in the comments section: ‘Wonderful to see her Scott. Hope you’ve both had a lovely day celebrating together mate’; ‘Lovely Scott’; ‘Amazing lady’; ‘Birthday girl looks very happy there Scott, glad you’ve had a good day’.

Others said: ‘Happy birthday Julie. Sending love’; ‘Aww she looks happy Scott, happy birthday’; ‘So nice to hear you both had a great day’.

Last summer it was reported that Julie was ‘living a good life’ amid her ‘brave’ battle with dementia, a friend claimed. 

Julie is said to still love leopard print just like her iconic character Bet and regularly enjoys afternoon tea with visitors. 

Julie is famed for playing the leopard-print loving Rovers Return landlady for over 25 years, starting in the role in 1966.

Julie Goodyear’s last TV appearance was in 2019, as an interviewee for the documentary Coronation Street at Christmas. 

Mark Llewellin, who was the partner of Julie’s late co-star Roy Barraclough, spoke about his regular visits to see her on the Conversation Street podcast.

Saying: ‘Julie is living a good life, really. She still loves leopard print, I’m pleased to say’.

Julie's fans were delighted to see the update, sharing their thoughts in the comments section

Others said: 'Happy birthday Julie. Sending love'; 'Aww she looks happy Scott, happy birthday'

Julie’s fans were delighted to see the update, sharing their thoughts in the comments section

Julie, who spent over 25 years on the soap where is is remembered as the landlady of the Rovers Return, announced her dementia diagnosis in June 2023 (pictured with husband Mark in 2023)

Julie, who spent over 25 years on the soap where is is remembered as the landlady of the Rovers Return, announced her dementia diagnosis in June 2023 (pictured with husband Mark in 2023)

Julie Goodyear's last TV appearance was in 2019, as an interviewee for the documentary Coronation Street at Christmas

Julie Goodyear’s last TV appearance was in 2019, as an interviewee for the documentary Coronation Street at Christmas

The actress is said to still love leopard print just like her iconic character Bet Lynch and regularly enjoys afternoon tea with visitors (pictured on the ITV soap in 1995)

The actress is said to still love leopard print just like her iconic character Bet Lynch and regularly enjoys afternoon tea with visitors (pictured on the ITV soap in 1995)

Julie's friend Mark Llewellin, who was the partner of her late co-star Roy Barraclough, spoke about his regular visits to see her on the Conversation Street podcast (julie and Roy pictured on Corrie in 1986)

Julie’s friend Mark Llewellin, who was the partner of her late co-star Roy Barraclough, spoke about his regular visits to see her on the Conversation Street podcast (julie and Roy pictured on Corrie in 1986) 

‘I see her at least once a week, sometimes twice a week, and spend a few hours with her and have afternoon tea at her house, which I call leopard print boulevard’. 

He went on to describe her as ‘quite happy’ and said how she goes out of the house regularly. 

He quipped: ‘I take her chocolate cake on a Sunday and we tuck into that, well she doesn’t let me have any to be honest’.

‘She’s good, obviously she has dementia as everybody knows, but it’s wrong to say you suffer from dementia, you live with dementia

Before adding: ‘It changes what you can do and how you look at life, I think Julie has been very brave and strong about that’. 

Prior to this Scott, said Julie had abandoned her trademark leopard print outfits and colourful lipsticks when he opened up on the pain of watching her deteriorate.

Julie met Scott – who is 26 years her junior – back in 1996, when he delivered plaster to her house. 

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: ‘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. 

Saying: 'Julie is living a good life, really. She still loves leopard print, I'm pleased to say' (pictured 2002)

Saying: ‘Julie is living a good life, really. She still loves leopard print, I’m pleased to say’ (pictured 2002)

He went on to describe her as 'quite happy' and said how she goes out of the house regularly (pictured with co-star Roy on the soap in 1987)

He went on to describe her as ‘quite happy’ and said how she goes out of the house regularly (pictured with co-star Roy on the soap in 1987)

‘All of this is now slowly fading away and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration.’

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.’

Scott said that he misses the activities they used to enjoy, such as romantic meals and long walks, with the hardest being unable to go on holidays together anymore.

He got candid about the hardships he faced as Julie’s sole carer at the beginning, admitting it was ‘killing me’.

Scott, who gave up his career to be Julie’s full time carer, explained that he has now become aware of the small freedoms he used to take for granted.

He said that going to watch the football with friends or having a drink were no longer options, as everything has to be planned far in advance and he needs to always be sober in case there’s an emergency and he has to drive. 

He said: ‘For me, the hardest part was accepting and coming to terms with the diagnosis. At the beginning I refused to accept any support, thinking I could cope as we have always been quite private people.’

However, Scott soon realised that he needed help and admitted he was ‘not coping’, while taking over the household affairs and finances from Julie for the first time.

He said: ‘Caring for Julie is my priority, but my health was being affected and as a lone carer I felt it was ‘killing me’. It was like being thrown into a new world of having to do everything by myself.’

He said that he would advise anyone going through a similar situation to accept help straight away, calling the Alzheimer’s Society, a ‘lifeline’.

However earlier this year husband Scott Brand, 55, said Julie had abandoned her trademark leopard print outfits and colourful lipsticks when he opened up on the pain of watching her deteriorate (couple pictured in 2004)

However earlier this year husband Scott Brand, 55, said Julie had abandoned her trademark leopard print outfits and colourful lipsticks when he opened up on the pain of watching her deteriorate (couple pictured in 2004)

Scott announced the news Julie had been diagnosed with dementia last June, with a statement that read: 'My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis'

Scott announced the news Julie had been diagnosed with dementia last June, with a statement that read: ‘My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis’ 

Scott explained the charity provided a Dementia Advisor, Julie Mann, who helped them sort their affairs and get the right care package and financial entitlements, saying she helped ‘take such a burden off our shoulders’.

Scott announced the news Julie had been diagnosed with dementia last summer, releasing a statement that read: ‘My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis. 

‘Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance.

‘But we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation – and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.

‘We have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out.

‘Inevitably she is recognised, and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired. I hope people will understand.’

When appearing on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories back in 2013, Julie revealed that Brand proposed to her every day for 11 years before she accepted.

Julie first joined Corrie in 1966 and then left to get more acting training. She returned in 1970 for 25 years until she left in 1995, when 22 million viewers tuned in to watch her last episode (pictured on soap in 1985)

Julie first joined Corrie in 1966 and then left to get more acting training. She returned in 1970 for 25 years until she left in 1995, when 22 million viewers tuned in to watch her last episode (pictured on soap in 1985)

In 2012, she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside the likes of Julian Clary , MC Harvey, Martin Kemp and Coleen Nolan and came in seventh place (pictured)

In 2012, she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside the likes of Julian Clary , MC Harvey, Martin Kemp and Coleen Nolan and came in seventh place (pictured) 

She said: ‘I might renew his contract. He’s been the best of a bad bunch, he really has.’ Asked if she was happily married, she responded: ‘Very.’

Asking about her sexuality, the chat show host said: ‘You’ve had relationships with men and women.’ She replied: ‘A relationship can be a friendship. A soul mate, whatever. You don’t have to have sex all the time.

‘There are many gay people, who work in the industry we work in. Have you no gay friends? What’s it like having sex with them?’

Julie remains a patron of Willow Wood Hospice in Greater Manchester and has said she wishes to highlight the wonderful work of the hospices who do so much to support patients and families with dementia. 

Julie first joined Corrie in 1966 as barmaid Bet, but left after being advised by senior cast member Pat Phoenix – who played Elsie Tanner – to get some more acting training.

After joining Oldham’s Repertory Theatre, she returned in 1970 and was a permanent fixture on the cobbles for 25 years until she left in 1995, when 22 million viewers tuned in to watch her last episode.

Julie made three returns as Bet, firstly in 1999 for the home video spin-off The Rover Returns and then again in 2002 and in 2003 for scenes shot in Blackpool as part of a storyline focusing on Liz McDonald and her husband Jim, who had recently escaped from prison.

In 2012, she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside the likes of Julian Clary, MC Harvey, Martin Kemp and Coleen Nolan and came in seventh place.

The former Coronation Street star has one child, Gary, from her first marriage Ray Sutcliffe.

She gave birth to Gary when she was just 17. She has three grandchildren, Emily, Elliot and Jack.

Julie married her first husband, Ray Sutcliffe in 1960, while pregnant with her son, Gary, who she gave birth to when she was just 17.

However, the marriage ended just three years later when her husband walked out.

The actress’ second husband, Tony Rudman, left her for his best man on their wedding day after she discovered he was gay. Their marriage was subsequently annulled.

Her third marriage in 1985 was after a long-distance relationship with American Richard Skrob but it ended two years later.

Please get in touch with Alzheimer’s Society if you need support on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *