Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband has confirmed. The actress from Bury, who is best known for portraying Bet Lynch in the ITV soap opera, has been 'suffering forgetfulness for some time' and it is now said that her condition will get 'progressively worse'.
Julie, 81, first joined Coronation Street as Bet for nine episodes in 1966, before becoming a series regular from 1970 to 1995. She returned for eight episodes in 2002 and another seven in 2003.
For her role on the long-running soap, Julie received the Special Recognition Award at the 1995 National Television Awards. She was later made an MBE in the 1996 New Year Honours.
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In a 'heartbreaking' statement given today (June 7), her husband Scott Brand 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.
‘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.
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