Julie Goodyear's husband opens up about her dementia diagnosis: 'I miss the fun-loving wife'

Beloved Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear has been suffering from dementia since June last year. Here’s how her life has been as she lives with the disease.

Julie Goodyear Bet Lynch dementia battle Coronation Street star health update
© JAB Promotions/Getty_Images
Julie Goodyear Bet Lynch dementia battle Coronation Street star health update

Julie Goodyear and her husband Scott Brand heard the news that everyone dreads as they sat down with her doctors last year. After struggling with a myriad of symptoms over the years, the Coronation Street legend was diagnosed with dementia. The 81-year-old was told it would get progressively worse in a short period of time.

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The couple shared the news with the public and her fans and issued a warning to everyone who may bump into her in the streets.

Julie Goodyear's husband reveals how she’s doing with dementia battle

Less than a year after the dementia diagnosis Julie Goodyear’s husband has now revealed how she’s been dealing with the disease. Better known by her household name Bet Lynch has reportedly stopped wearing her trademark leopard print outfits and colourful lipsticks. Scott revealed that as her health deteriorates, she’s losing her ‘larger than life’ personality, reports The Mirror.

Scott shared:

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.

Explaining that Julie is losing herself and her personality is slowly fading with the disease, Scott confessed that he misses his fun-loving wife. He explained:

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.

The regression is ‘extremely painful’ for the 55-year-old to watch as his wife relies on a wheelchair to be mobile. The terrible disease and its medication alter the cognitive function of the patient which makes life challenging as long as they live. Scott also claimed that Julie loved going on holidays and romantic dates but none of that is now possible for the couple.

How has Scott been doing after Julie’s dementia diagnosis?

The cruel disease not only affects Julie but everyone around her as well. RTE reports that Julie ‘struggles’ to recognise anyone anymore and anyone she meets is called ‘Scott.’ Meanwhile, Scott underwent tons of changes himself from quitting his job to be a full-time caregiver to Julie to not meeting his friends or hanging out with them. He shared:

I had to give up work to become Julie’s full-time carer. 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 that Julie took care of finances for the couple and after the diagnosis, everything had been put on him.

The life-altering disease makes life difficult for everyone which makes it crucial to spot the early symptoms of the signs that you can get to know here.

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Sources Used

Mirror: Julie Goodyear's husband reveals biggest change to Bet Lynch icon amid dementia battle

RTE: Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear is 'slowly fading away', says husband

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