Coronation Streets Bet Lynch star Julie Goodyears heartbreaking dementia diagnosis

Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear MBE has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband Scott Brand announced on Wednesday in a heartbreaking statement.

Julie, 81, is best known for playing the legendary barmaid Bet Lynch on the cobbles on-off from 1966. Her most recent appearance was in 2003.

Scott said in his statement: "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.

"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, who has been married to Scott since 2007, remains a patron of Willow Wood Hospice in Greater Manchester.

The actress joined Coronation Street in 1966 as the legendary and iconic Bet Lynch, she played this role on-off until 2003.

Julie won a Lifetime Achievement Award for her role in the first ever National Television Awards in 1995. She was then made an MBE in the 1996 New Years Honours.

More recently, Julie appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2012 and Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2013. She also was a contributor to Coronation Street at Christmas in 2019.

READ MORE:

• Click here for today's top showbiz stories

• EastEnders fans left in tears as BBC soap marks Peggy Mitchell anniversary

Source: Read Full Article