Julie Goodyear’s husband shares his wife's dementia story as part of new Alzheimer's Society campaign

The husband of Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear has opened up about the ‘extreme pain’ of watching the TV star ‘slowing fading away’ after being diagnosed with dementia.

Scott Brand chose to share a heartfelt insight into the devastating impact of the condition as part of our moving new campaign launched this week.

The Long Goodbye, which features an emotive TV advert voiced by actor Colin Firth, highlights how the disease’s relentless progression causes people to ‘die again and again and again.’

"I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been"

It is a theme that is echoed by Scott’s own experiences. He revealed: “I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been – the larger-than-life personality that brightened up everywhere she went, and the smile that lit up every room.

All of this is now slowly fading away and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration. 

“Not being able to spontaneously go out as husband and wife, holding hands as we stroll along, going for meals together and going shopping – all these losses for me symbolise the Long Goodbye.”

"Now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn"

The celebrated actress, who was awarded an MBE in 1996, became a household name as the Rovers Return’s no-nonsense landlady Bet Lynch, a role she played for more than 25 years.

She was renowned for being glamorous, both on and off screen, but Scott, who married her in 2007, says dementia has caused her to lose interest in her appearance.

He explained: “Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her make-up.

But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print.

Accepting a dementia diagnosis

Like so many partners of a loved one with dementia, Scott has had to come to terms with becoming his spouse’s carer – a transition that has taken its toll on him.

“For me, the hardest part was accepting and coming to terms with the diagnosis. At the beginning I refused to accept any support, thinking I could cope as we have always been quite private people. This, in reality, didn’t last for long.

I soon realised I needed to ask for help as I couldn’t do it by myself.

Alzheimer’s Society offers help and hope to everyone affected by dementia.

And for Scott, that meant turning to one of the charity’s Dementia Advisers, Julie Mann, who helped him navigate the maze of services and support available.

He said: “Without this support I really don’t know how I would have coped – it was a lifeline when we both needed one and continues to be so. She has helped to take such a burden off our shoulders.”  

Dementia's 'living grief'

The new Alzheimer’s Society TV ad shows a son delivering the eulogy at his mother’s funeral, his voice cracking with emotion as he recalls the numerous moments in her life when part of her ‘died’.

Kate Lee, Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Executive Officer, explained: “This campaign seeks to tell the unvarnished truth about the devastation caused by dementia and it is very much informed by people affected by the condition.

The loved ones of people with dementia often describe it as a ‘living grief’ as, bit by bit, the disease’s relentless progression causes part of the person to die…again and again and again.

“But there is hope. Alzheimer’s Society, through its support services, is there for people affected again and again as they face the grim reality of the long goodbye.”