Coronation Street icon Julie Goodyear has revealed she is suffering from dementia.
The actress, 81, is famed for playing leopard-print loving Rovers Return landlady Bet Lynch in the ITV soap for over 25 years, starting in the role in 1966.
Her beloved husband Scott Brand, 55, released a statement on Wednesday which said: ‘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.
‘No hope of a reversal in the situation’: Coronation Street icon Julie Goodyear, 81, revealed on Wednesday she is suffering from dementia as she shared her heartbreaking diagnosis (pictured as Bet Lynch in a still from the ITV soap)
Her love: Julie’s fourth husband Scott Brand, 55, released the statement on Julie’s behalf on Wednesday – the couple pictured in 2004
Heartbreaking: Scott released this statement on behalf of his wife
‘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 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.
In December 2020, Julie paid tribute to fellow soap actress, EastEnders star Dame Barbara Windsor, who died following her own battle with Alzheimer’s disease, aged 83.
She wrote on Facebook: ‘Last night was so devastating for everyone in the industry who was ever lucky enough to meet Barbara let alone work along side her.
‘She was a national treasure. That word is thrown around too casually nowadays. But with Barbara it was well and truly meant. Thoughts are with her family and friends.
‘From one former landlady to another I raise a glass to the one and only and truly irreplaceable Barbara Windsor.
‘The laughs your gave over the years and the stellar performance you executed week in week out in your pub in the East End of London lives on.’
Julie’s last TV appearance is thought to be on The Big Soap Quiz in 2018
Soap icons: In December 2020, Julie paid tribute to fellow soap actress, EastEnders star Dame Barbara Windsor, who died following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, aged 83
Lovely in leopard: Actress Barbara pictured in the role of landlady Peggy Mitchell in 1993 – she was survived by her husband Scott MItchell
They go way back! Barbara (right) and Julie, (centre), on Russell Harty’s chat show in 1977
Meanwhile, Julie has been very open with her life and appeared on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories back in 2013.
She revealed that her husband Scott proposed to her every day for 11 years before she accepted him.
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.’ Miss Goodyear 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?’
Superstar: Julie was a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother 10 in 2012 and came in seventh place alongside the likes of Julian Clary, MC Harvey, Martin Kemp and Coleen Nolan
Honest: Julie appeared on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories back in 2013, where she revealed that Scott proposed to her every day for 11 years before she accepted him
Friend: Piers was one of the first celebrities to pay tribute to Julie, writing: ‘What sad news’
When Piers responded that he didn’t, Miss Goodyear continued: ‘Neither do I. Let me tell you, there was a time when I thought it might be worth a try. No good at it. Because I can’t stop laughing.’
When he fired back: ‘Are we talking men or women?’ she responded: ‘Anybody. Which is why they only ever gave me one bed scene in Coronation Street. Because it makes me laugh.’
‘Sex does?’ asked Morgan. ‘Even being in bed,’ she replied.
The actress wed her first husband, draughtsman Ray Sutcliffe, in 1960. The pair had a son, Gary, when she was 17, but the marriage ended three years later when her husband walked out.
In 1973 she married secretary Tony Rudman, but the couple had been married for only a few hours when he ran off with the best man.
The heartbreak left her so distraught she spent a month in a mental health clinic.
In 1979, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and given just one year to live.
She was then married to airline executive Richard Skrob between 1985 and 1987. The actress wed Mr Brand in 2007.
They first met in 1996 when he delivered plaster to a house she was renovating.
The larger-than-life star first joined the ITV soap 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, Julie returned in 1970 and was a permanent fixture on the cobbles for 25 years until she left in 1995, when 22million 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 (Beverley Callard) and her husband Jim (Charles Lawson), 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.
Dementia UK CEO and Chief Admiral Nurse Hilda Hayo said: ‘We’re sorry to hear that Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia, and hope that she and her family are receiving the support and assistance they need at this time.
‘By choosing to speak publicly about her diagnosis, Julie and her family will raise vital awareness of dementia and we hope that this will encourage others to seek advice if they have concerns for their brain health.
‘We urge families affected by dementia to reach out to our specialist Helpline. Staffed by dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, our Helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one. Anyone affected by dementia can contact the Helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing helpline@dementiauk.org.’
Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘Our hearts go out to Julie Goodyear and her family, following the announcement that she is living with dementia. So many of us have such fond memories of watching Julie on screen, playing the iconic role of Bet Lynch. It is incredibly brave of Julie’s husband to share this news and help raise much-needed awareness of dementia, a condition affecting almost one million people in the UK today.
‘With no treatments to slow or stop the diseases that cause dementia, a diagnosis is truly heartbreaking. Tragically many more families like Julie’s will go on to experience the devastation it causes because, if nothing changes, one in two people will be directly affected by dementia. They will either develop the condition themselves, care for someone with it, or both. As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, we have vowed to put a stop to dementia by finding a cure.’
“If you have questions about dementia, you can contact our Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5 111 between 9.00-5.00pm Monday to Friday or send an email to infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org”