Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear’s husband has shared an update on the soap actor following her dementia diagnosis.
Goodyear, who starred as Bet Lynch in the ITV soap, was diagnosed with the condition in 2023, with her husband Scott Brand often sharing updates on her health and day-to-day life.
Sharing an update on his Facebook page on March 28, he wrote: “Thankyou all for the messages. So looking forward to my Julie’s birthday tomorrow celebrating both our birthdays together.”
The previous day, he said he had just returned from hospital to his “lovely Julie” after suffering from the “worst” chest infection.
Brand shared the news of Goodyear’s diagnosis two years ago, sharing that she had been “suffering forgetfulness for some time.”
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“My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis,” he said in a statement.
“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.”
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Last year, Brand appeared in an advertisement for the Alzheimer’s Society where he opened up about missing his “fun-loving wife”, saying that it was “extremely painful” for him to watch the deterioration.
“Julie now struggles recognising people and everyone she meets is called ‘Scott,'” he continued.
“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.”
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Brand added that he “had to give up work to become Julie’s full-time carer” and “wasn’t coping and needed to seek support”, explaining that while caring for her is his “priority”, his “health was being affected”.
“As a lone carer I felt it was ‘killing me’. Julie had always dealt with the finances but now she cannot even recognise the value of money.
“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.”
More information about dementia is available via organisations including the NHS and Dementia UK. Resources for readers in the US are available via the National Institutes of Health.