Coronation Street icon Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia.
Her husband Scott Brand shared his wife's diagnosis on Wednesday. In an emotional statement, 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.
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"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, 81, is best known for portraying Bet Lynch in the long-running ITV soap.
Early signs of dementia
Different types of dementia can affect people differently, and everyone will experience symptoms in their own way, according to the NHS. But there are some common early symptoms that may appear some time before a diagnosis of dementia, including:
- memory loss
- difficulty concentrating
- finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
- struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- being confused about time and place
- mood changes
These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually. People might not notice these symptoms if they have them, and family and friends may not notice or take them seriously for some time.
For some, these symptoms will remain the same and not worsen, but others go on to develop dementia. The NHS says: “Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. This is why it's important to talk to a GP sooner rather than later if you're worried about memory problems or other symptoms.”
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