Corrie Star Julie Goodyear Is 'Slowly Fading Away', Says Husband

Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear is "slowly fading away" following her dementia diagnosis, according to her husband Scott Brand.

Brand spoke about the pain of watching her fun-loving wife "slowly fading away", in conjunction with a new UK campaign for Alzheimer's Society, which featured a TV advert titled The Long Goodbye, voiced by actor Colin Firth.

The advert itself focuses on the sad reality of the disease and its progression, which can cause loved ones to "die again, and again, and again". 

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

He continued, "Julie now struggles recognising people and everyone she meets is called ‘Scott’.

"Not being able to spontaneously go out as husband and wife, holding hands as we stroll along, going for meals together and going shopping – all these losses for me symbolise the Long Goodbye". 

"the leopard print"

Julie Goodyear was renowned for her role as the iconic Bet Lynch on the cobbles of Coronation Street, and her trademark clothing, and voluptuous looks both and off set.

However, Scott Brand has admitted that her diagnosis has meant that her interest in her appearance has waned.

"Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her make up", Brand explained. "But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print".

Brand also revealed that after his wife Julie was diagnosed with dementia, she initially, "refused to accept any support", before realising "I couldn’t do it by myself".

"I had to give up work to become Julie’s full-time carer," he continued. "I wasn’t coping and needed to seek support". 

"Caring for Julie is my priority, but my health was being affected and as a lone carer I felt it was ‘killing me’", he added. "Julie had always dealt with the finances but now she cannot even recognise the value of money".

"I was suddenly thrown into having to sort out all the household affairs, something Julie had always managed with ease and perfection", he stated. "It was like being thrown into a new world of having to do everything by myself". 

"I would advise anyone going through this journey to accept help straight away".

Scott Brand also thanked Dementia Advisors who were provided through Alzheimer's Society, for helping him to find a way to come to terms with this situation.

"I couldn’t have managed without it", he said. "Without this support I really don’t know how I would have coped – it was a lifeline when we both needed one and continues to be so". 

Julie Goodyear married Scott Brand, her fourth husband in 2007. She was a staple in Coronation Street for 25 years, starring as the no-nonsense landlady Bet Lynch.