The husband of Coronation Street icon Julie Goodyear has given a touching update on the actress’ birthday amid her ongoing battle with dementia. Julie, who is fondly remembered as Bet Lynch, the straight-talking landlady of the Rovers Return, celebrated her 83rd birthday with her husband Scott Brand on 29 March.
Scott, 55, shared a rare snap of Julie from their home in Lancashire, writing: “Just got home with my lovely wife and we’ve had a fantastic day together. Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes from both of us.” He posted this update on his Facebook page where he and Julie keep their devoted fans, friends and family updated.
Julie, who graced the cobbles for over 25 years, revealed her dementia diagnosis last March. Since then, the soap legend and her husband have sold their £1.3m home and have been receiving support from the Alzheimer’s Society charity.
The couple, set to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary in June, were last seen beaming and embracing at the starting line of their local Alzheimer’s Society event in October 2023, reports the Mirror.
Their love story began 29 years ago when Scott delivered plaster to Julie’s house during renovations.
Reflecting on Julie’s diagnosis last year, Scott told the Mirror: “Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her make-up.
“But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print.
“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.”
Talking about the support they’ve received from the Alzheimer’s Society, Scott mentioned: “For me, the hardest part was accepting and coming to terms with the diagnosis. At the beginning I refused to accept any support, thinking I could cope as we have always been quite private people. This, in reality, didn’t last for long.
“I soon realised I needed to ask for help as I couldn’t do it by myself.”
Born in Heywood, Lancashire, in 1942, the glamorous Julie began her career as a model in the ’60s before making her acting debut in 1965. At the young age of 24, Julie first graced Coronation Street in 1966 for nine episodes, later securing her place as a series regular from 1970 until 1995.
Her return to the cobbles in 2002 and 2003 sent fans into a frenzy. Post-Corrie, she graced Celebrity Big Brother in 2012 and even made an appearance on Hollyoaks in 2006.
In 1995, she was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Television Awards, and in the following year, she was appointed an MBE for her services to television and drama.
Since stepping back from television, Julie has dedicated herself to charity work, becoming a patron of Manchester’s Willow Wood Hospice in 2022, where her former co-star Roy Barraclough passed away in 2017.
The Queen of the Rovers contributed to raising £16,000 for the hospice by donating a collection of iconic memorabilia, including Bet Lynch’s renowned jewellery and clothing items.