Julie Goodyear’s husband Scott Brand shared a rare picture of her on Wednesday amid her dementia battle.

The Coronation Street icon, 83, went public with her diagnosis in 2023, with Scott, 55, previously revealing how painful it is to watch her ‘slowly fade away’ and the hardships he has faced as Julie’s sole carer.

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

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

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.

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

Julie Goodyear’s husband Scott Brand shared a rare picture of her on Wednesday amid her dementia battle

The Coronation Street icon, 83, went public with her diagnosis in 2023, with Scott, 55, previously revealing how painful it is to watch her ‘slowly fade away’

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.

Julie first met Scott in 1996 when he delivered plaster to a house she was renovating. They tied the knot in 2007 after Scott proposed every day for 11 years (pictured together in 2004) 

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

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’.

Scott explained the charity provided a Dementia Advisor, Julie Mann, who helped them sort their affairs and get the right care package and financial enтιтlements, 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 ᴀssistance.

‘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.’

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

Scott posted a new picture of the star on Wednesday 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.

The pH๏τo 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.

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.

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.

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 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’.

‘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’.

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’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’.

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 sH๏τ 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 Nola n and came in seventh place.

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

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN 

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour. 

There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.

In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society