I miss my fun-loving Julie whose smile lit up every room...it is so painful to watch her fade away

CORRIE LEGEND'S HUSBAND ON HEARTACHE OF HER DEMENTIA

- HOLLIE BONE

AS pub landlady Bet Lynch, Julie Goodyear delighted Corrie fans with her sharp tongue, quick wit and leopard-print outfits as she ruled the Rovers Return.

And husband Scott Brand told how in real life the actress brought that same joy to everyone she met.

But the 55-year-old has revealed the happiness has now vanished into the past as he gradually loses the woman he loves to dementia.

Julie, 81, announced last June she had the debilitating disease.

Heartbroken Scott said: "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.

"Julie now struggles recognising people and everyone she meets is called 'Scott'.

"Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her makeup. But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print."

The couple, who wed in 2007, met when Scott delivered some plaster to renovate Julie's home near Rochdale, Gtr Manchester.

She had joined Corrie in 1966 and was awarded an MBE for her services to drama in 1996. Bet became one of the best-loved on the cobbles until Julie left in November 2003.

Now, she relies on a wheelchair to get around and Scott told how he longs for the days they spent enjoying romantic meals, holidays and walking hand in hand.

He said: "One of the biggest things is our holidays. Julie loved going away and would always look forward to our adventures together, but this has now stopped. We no longer go away, and I can no longer go away either as I would never leave Julie."