My darling wife & I have come to terms with the diagnosis.. it's heartbreaking

Husband Scott as devastating disease hits star, 81

- TOM BRYANT and HOLLIE BONE

JULIE Goodyear’s husband has told how her dementia diagnosis has left the couple devastated and facing an uncertain future. 

Scott Brand said the 81-year-old former Corrie star, who played Rovers barmaid Bet Lynch for 25 years, has been getting medical help for the debilitating condition.

Dementia charities praised the couple for going public with the diagnosis and hoped it would help to raise awareness.

Scott said in a statement yesterday: “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 her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.

“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.”

Actor Charlie Lawson, 63, who played opposite Julie as Jim McDonald in the ITV soap, offered her his best wishes.

He said: “It’s an impossible situation for her but I send her all my fondest love and greatest memories of her.” Speaking of their time together on the Cobbles, the Northern Irish star added: “She was great craic, we did the Rovers scenes on a Thursday and Friday afternoon and I always had real beer under the counter and Julie would pour me a nice pint of the real stuff between takes.”