Julie Goodyear’s devoted husband has made a devastating confession — revealing that caring for the Coronation Street legend alone was “killing” him before he was forced to make a huge change.
The actress, now 81, became a national treasure through her iconic portrayal of Bet Lynch. But last year, it was confirmed that Julie is living with dementia — a diagnosis that has quietly transformed the couple’s lives, leaving behind the leopard print outfits and bold lipstick that once defined her larger-than-life personality.
Her husband Scott Brand has now opened up about the emotional toll of becoming her full-time carer.
Scott admitted that when Julie was first diagnosed, he refused to accept help, determined to manage everything on his own. He even gave up work to care for her full-time.
But the pressure soon became overwhelming.
“I wasn’t coping and needed to seek support,” Scott confessed. “Caring for Julie is my priority, but my health was being affected and as a lone carer I felt it was killing me.”
He explained how Julie had always been the one in charge of finances — but now she can no longer recognise the value of money.
“Julie had always dealt with everything,” he said. “Suddenly I was thrown into a new world of having to manage all the household affairs by myself. It was something Julie had always done with ease and perfection.”
“It felt like being dropped into a completely new life. I would advise anyone on this journey to accept help straight away.”
Scott has since been supported by Dementia Advisers from Alzheimer’s Society — a service he describes as nothing short of a lifeline.
“I couldn’t have managed without it,” he said. “Without that support, I really don’t know how I would have coped.”
He shared his story as part of Alzheimer’s Society’s new campaign The Long Goodbye, fronted by a television advert voiced by Colin Firth. The powerful campaign explores the cruel reality of dementia, which causes loved ones to “die again, and again, and again”.
Dementia, according to the NHS, refers to a group of symptoms linked to a decline in brain function, affecting memory, thinking and everyday abilities.
For Scott, the emotional loss is unbearable.
“I miss the fun-loving wife Julie always was,” he said. “Her big personality, the way she lit up every room. Watching that slowly fade is incredibly painful.”
Julie and Scott married in 2007 after meeting when Scott delivered plaster to her home near Rochdale in Greater Manchester. Julie had joined Coronation Street back in 1966 and became one of the soap’s most beloved stars until her departure in 2003.
Kate Lee, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said the campaign reflects the reality faced by families every day.
“Loved ones often describe dementia as a ‘living grief’,” she explained. “Bit by bit, the disease causes part of the person to die again and again. But there is hope — our support services are there for families whenever they need them.”
