Coronation Street icon Julie Goodyear makes rare public outing with husband amid her battle with dementia

Coronation Street icon Julie Goodyear made a rare public outing with her husband this week amid her battle with dementia.

The actress, 81, who announced her devastating diagnosis in June last year, appeared in good spirits as she stepped out for lunch with husband Scott Brand, 55.

Scott shared a photo on social media of Julie beaming with a smile as they enjoyed a coffee date.

He captioned the sweet photo: “My Julie at her best today.”

The outing comes after a friend claimed Julie is ‘living the good life’ amid her ‘courageous’ battle with dementia.

The actress, 81, who announced her devastating diagnosis in June last year, appeared in good spirits as she stepped out for lunch with her husband Scott Brand (pictured in the ITV soap in 1995)

The actress is said to still love leopard print just like her iconic character Bet Lynch and regularly enjoys afternoon tea with visitors.

Julia is famous for playing the leopard print loving Rovers Return landlady for more than 25 years, starting in the role in 1966.

Her boyfriend Mark Llewellin, the partner of Julie’s late co-star Roy Barraclough, told of his regular visits to see her on the Conversation Street podcast.

Saying, “Julie is actually living a good life. She still loves leopard print, I’m happy to say.”

“I see her at least once a week, sometimes twice a week, and spend a few hours with her and have afternoon tea at her house, which I call the leopard print boulevard.”

He then described her as ‘quite happy’ and said she gets out of the house regularly.

He joked: ‘I take her chocolate cake on Sunday and we enjoy it, well she won’t let me have any to be honest’.

‘She is good, she clearly has dementia as everyone knows, but it is wrong to say you are suffering from dementia, you are living with dementia

Before I add: ‘It changes what you can do and how you look at life, I think Julie has been very brave and strong in that’.

But earlier this year husband Scott Brand, 55, said Julie had given up her signature leopard print outfits and colorful lipsticks as he opened up about the pain of seeing her deteriorate.

Speak with The mirrorhe said: “I miss the fun-loving woman Julie always was – the larger-than-life personality that brightened up wherever she went, and the smile that lit up every room. All this is now slowly fading away and it is extremely painful for me to see this decline.”

He added: ‘Julie has always been extremely glamorous and doesn’t go anywhere without her make-up. But now the lipstick and make-up are unworn and clothes are no longer interesting, especially the leopard print.’

Julie is living ‘a good life’ amid her ‘brave’ battle with dementia, friend claims (pictured with husband Scott in 2023)

Julie’s friend Mark Llewellin, who was the partner of her late co-star Roy Barraclough, spoke about his regular visits to see her on the Conversation Street podcast (Julie and Roy pictured on Corrie in 1986)

Saying, “Julie is actually living a good life. She still loves leopard print, I’m happy to say’ (photo 2002)

He went on to describe her as ‘quite happy’ and mentioned how she regularly leaves the house (pictured with co-star Roy in the soap in 1987)

Scott said he misses the activities they used to enjoy, like romantic meals and long walks, with the hardest part being no longer being able to go on vacation together.

He was candid about the hardships he initially faced as Julie’s sole caregiver, admitting it “killed me.”

Scott, who gave up his career to be Julie’s full-time caregiver, explained that he has now become aware of the small freedoms he used to take for granted.

He said watching football with friends or going out for drinks are no longer options because everything has to be planned far in advance and he always has to be sober in case there is an emergency and he has to drive.

He said: ‘For me, accepting and coming to terms with the diagnosis was the hardest part. At first I refused to accept any support as I thought I could handle it as we have always been quite private people.’

However, Scott soon realized he needed help and admitted he ‘couldn’t cope’ as he took over Julie’s household affairs and finances for the first time.

But earlier this year husband Scott Brand, 55, said Julie had given up her signature leopard print outfits and colorful lipsticks as he opened up about the pain of watching her deteriorate (couple pictured in 2004)

Scott announced the news that Julie had been diagnosed with dementia last June, with a statement saying: ‘My dear wife and I have had to accept this heartbreaking diagnosis.’

He said: ‘Caring for Julie is my priority but my health was affected and as a lone carer I felt like it was ‘killing me’. It was like entering a new world where I had to do everything on my own.’

He said he would advise anyone going through a similar situation to accept help immediately, calling the Alzheimer’s Society a “lifeline.”

Scott explained that the charity provided a dementia adviser, Julie Mann, who helped them sort out their affairs and get the right care package and financial rights, saying she helped ‘take such a burden off our shoulders’.

Scott and Julie married in 2007, after first meeting in 1996 when he was delivering plaster to a house she was renovating.

Scott announced the news last summer that Julie had been diagnosed with dementia, releasing a statement saying: ‘My dear wife and I have had to accept this heartbreaking diagnosis.

‘Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering from forgetfulness for some time and we have sought medical advice and help.

‘But we now know that there is no hope of reversing the situation – and that her condition will gradually and perhaps rapidly deteriorate.

‘We decided to make the diagnosis public because Julie still enjoys visiting friends and eating out.

‘It’s inevitable that she will be recognised, and fans love meeting her – and she them – but she can get confused, especially when she’s tired. I hope people will understand.’

Julie first joined Corrie in 1966 and then left to pursue more acting training. She returned in 1970 for 25 years until leaving in 1995, when 22 million viewers tuned in to see her final episode (pictured on soap in 1985)

In 2012 she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside the likes of Julian Clary, MC Harvey, Martin Kemp and Coleen Nolan, finishing in seventh place (pictured)

Julie remains a patron of Willow Wood Hospice in Greater Manchester and has said she wants to shine a spotlight on the wonderful work of the hospices, which do so much to support patients and families with dementia.

Julie first joined Corrie in 1966 as barmaid Bet, but left after advice from senior cast member Pat Phoenix – who played Elsie Tanner – to get some more acting training.

After joining Oldham’s Repertory Theater she returned in 1970 and was a fixture on the cobbles for 25 years until leaving in 1995, when 22 million viewers tuned in to see her final episode.

Julie made three returns as Bet, first in 1999 for the home video spin-off The Rover Returns and then again in 2002 and in 2003 for scenes shot in Blackpool as part of a storyline focusing on Liz McDonald and her husband Jim, who recently escaped from prison.

In 2012 she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside the likes of Julian Clary, MC Harvey, Martin Kemp and Coleen Nolan, finishing in seventh place.

If you need support, please contact Alzheimer’s Society on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk