Corrie legend’s brave battle with dementia
Husband opens up about diagnosis
AS no-nonsense landlady Bet Lynch, actress Julie Goodyear lit up our screens.
The Coronation Street star, from Heywood, took her first steps on ITV’S famous cobbles in 1966.
She then enjoyed a 25-year run from 1970, while Corrie was at the height of its popularity, and later returned for a number of appearances.
And while Bet Lynch was a character created at Granada Studios, Julie’s vivacious personality won the nation’s hearts.
Her dazzling outfits, make-up and jewellery became iconic.
But in a heartbreaking interview with the Mirror, Julie’s husband Scott Brand has revealed how the 81-year-old star’s battle with dementia has turned those symbolic items into a thing of the past.
“Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her make-up,” he said.
“But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print.”
Julie’s story is another devastating reality showing how cruel dementia is.
Celebrity Big Brother viewers saw Julie’s sharp wit and humour as she entered the house in her trademark attire back in 2012.
The legendary leopard print was even used as a punishment on the reality show - as she had her coats, leggings and hats confiscated for breaking Big Brother rules by discussing nominations.
Scott Brand
As she lit a cigarette with a bejewelled, leopard-print lighter during a 2006 interview, she winked as she told Wales Online: “There’s got to be a bit of leopard somewhere.”
Julie described how it formed part of her character, and how she was often ‘so much happier being Bet’ while starring in Coronation Street, against a personal life which saw three divorces take their toll.
“It was a blessed relief to be able to put the slap on and turn into somebody else,” she said.
“Psychologically, helped me so much.
“But in my dressing room when I took Bet’s beehive off and my makeup off at the end of a 12-hour day, hell would start kicking in.”
Julie grew up in Heywood, she was the daughter of the Bay Horse publican, and she ‘never wanted to leave’ her hometown.
When she was offered the freedom of Rochdale that borough in 2017, she remarked how it was a ‘wonderful feeling’ and she ‘accepted immediately’.
“Although I have been to so many places and seen so many things, my heart has always belonged here,” Julie said.
“A big part of that has always been the people of Heywood.
“They are the best there is.”
While her heart belongs in Heywood, Julie also loved holidays with husband Scott.
Tragically, he told the Mirror it’s another passion of Julie’s that has now vanished, as dementia takes its toll on the star.
Scott added: “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.”
‘I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been’