Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia.
The news was shared by the Bet Lynch actress' beloved husband Scott Brand.
Scott, who has been married to the 81-year-old actress since 2007, said Julie had been suffering with forgetfulness before seeking medical help with doctors diagnosing her with dementia.
In a statement, Scott said he and his 'darling' Julie are both 'heartbroken' but coming to terms with the news and have accepted the condition would get 'progressively worse.'
Scott, 55, said he had decided to speak out as Julia is often approached by fans which can lead to her becoming confused.
In a statement released today, Scott said: "My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heartbreaking 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 shot to fame playing loveable land lady Bet Lynch in Coronation Street on and off for 25 years.
With her towering beehive hairdo, platinum locks and love of all things leopard print, Bet became one of the most iconic barmaids to ever serve in the Rovers Return.
Julie made her first appearance in the soap in 1966 with a nine episode run before becoming a familiar face on the Weatherfield cobbles between 1970 and 1995.
Julie's Corrie exit was watched by a staggering 22 million people.
She went o to return to the soap for eight episodes in 2002 and a further seven in 2003.
In 1996 Julie was awarded for her services with an MBE, she was also honoured with a Special Recognition Award at the 1995 National Television Awards.
After leaving soap stardom behind, Julie appeared in Celebrity Fit Club, Calendar Girls on the West End stage and appeared in the tenth series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Speaking on an episode of Piers Morgan's Life Stories, Julie said her brief return to Coronation Street was one of the biggest regrets of her career.
Julie said the ITV soap had become a 'conveyor belt' as she blasted the gruelling schedule.
“I was asked to go back as a favour. So, yes, I do regret going back.
“What somebody had omitted to tell me, in the transition period, were all the changes that had happened,” the star added.
Before finding fame as an actress, Julie was a thriving 60s model.
Her personal life has been every bit as colourful as her on screen characters with Julie married a total of four times.
She first tied the knot at the tender age of 17 to Ray Sutcliffe after getting pregnant with her son Gary.
The marriage ended in tears three years later when Ray walked out.
Her next nuptials to Tony Rudman ended in disaster when he ditched her on their wedding day.
The couple had been married a few hours when Tony ran off with the best man. Julie's heartbreak was so severe she spent a month in a mental health clinic.
Julie next got married in 1985 to American airline executive Richard Skrob, after the pair fell for each other over a long-distance relationship.
But the star finally found lasting love when she met Scott Brand, and the couple said I do in 2007.
Julie revealed that Scott asked her to marry him every day for 11 years before she finally said yes.
Speaking to Piers Morgan in 2013, Julie joked: "I might renew his contract. He’s been the best of a bad bunch, he really has."
Asked if she was happily married, the actress replied "Very".
Piers also quizzed Julie on her sexuality, "You’ve had relationships with men and women."
Julie told him: "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?"
When Morgan responded that he didn’t, Miss Goodyear said: "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."
