The Coronation Street actress Julie Goodyear’s husband has spoken out about how painful it was to see his beloved “slowly fading away” after learning she had dementia.
As part of a recent Alzheimer’s Society campaign, which includes a TV commercial narrated by British actor Colin Firth, Scott Brand has revealed his story.
The Long Goodbye, an advertisement, depicts the heartbreaking truth of the disease’s course by showing how loved ones “die again, and again, and again”.
Brand stated:
“I mourn the exuberant and gregarious wife that Julie had always been; I miss her exuberant personality that made every place she visited and her radiant smile that filled every space.
“Now that everything is gradually disappearing, it hurts me so much to see this decline.
“Julie is having trouble identifying people these days, and everyone she encounters goes by “Scott.”
“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.”
Shadow of her former self
For nearly twenty-five years, Goodyear portrayed the tough landlady of the Rovers Return, Bet Lynch, on Coronation Street.
The 81-year-old former actress was well-known for her glitzy off-screen attire and leopard-print ensembles, but according to her spouse, dementia has made her less interested in how she appears.
Julie has always exuded glamour and has never been seen without makeup.
“But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print,” Brand said.
Image: For 25 years, Goodyear portrayed the stern landlady Bet Lynch. Picture: PA
In 2007, Goodyear tied the knot with Brand, her fourth spouse.
‘I wasn’t coping’
He said that upon receiving Goodyear’s diagnosis, he first “refused to accept any support” until understanding that “I couldn’t do it by myself”.
“I had to give up work to become Julie’s full-time carer,” he said.
“I needed to get help because I wasn’t coping.
“Taking care of Julie comes first, but as a single carer, I felt like it was ‘killing me’ since it was affecting my health.
“Julie had always dealt with the finances but now she cannot even recognise the value of money,” he said.
“Suddenly, I had to take care of every domestic issue, something Julie had always done flawlessly and with ease.
It seemed like I was thrust into a brand-new environment where I had to handle everything on my own.
“I would advise anyone going through this journey to accept help straight away.”
‘There is hope’
According to Kate Lee, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Society:
“This campaign, which is heavily influenced by those who have dementia, aims to present the unvarnished reality about the destruction caused by the illness.
“The family members of those suffering from dementia sometimes refer to it as a “living sorrow,” as the disease’s unrelenting course gradually results in the death of a portion of the patient…time and time again.
“Nevertheless, hope remains.
“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.”
According to the NHS, dementia is the term for a collection of symptoms connected to a progressive loss of brain function.
Memory, cognitive function, and other mental capacities may be impacted by the illness.
ITV soap opera icon Kate Ford, who played Tracy Barlow for almost 20 years on…
Lucy Fallon plays Bethany Platt in Coronation Street.Credit: ITV/ Coronation Street Through Bethany Platt's character on…
Next week, there will be a comeback in the ITV soap opera. Roy Cropper and…
Fans of Coronation Street believe caretaker Cassie Plummer is playing Ken Barlow, so they fear…
Fans of Emmerdale are certain that they have figured out what happened to Nate Robinson…
Fans claim Nate's exit was the 'worst'... Many viewers of Emmerdale have been curious about…