Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear and her husband Scott Brand attended Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk on Sunday in her first public appearance since it was revealed that she is living with dementia.
The Bet Lynch actress, 81, looked in good spirits as Scott pushed her in a wheelchair to the starting line. She was wearing a blue Alzheimer’s Society t-shirt over a tracksuit and had a huge smile on her face as Scott cut the ribbon.
Speaking about the occasion in Manchester, Scott said: “Julie and I are delighted to be supporting the Manchester Memory Walk in Heaton Park this year. We want to make sure that anyone else who has been impacted by a dementia diagnosis knows they are not alone – we know that one in three of us born today will go on to develop dementia, and so many more families, friends and carers will be affected as a result.
“Since receiving Julie’s diagnosis, the support we have had from Alzheimer’s Society’s team in Rochdale has been amazing. It has helped to take such a burden off our shoulders.”
Commenting on Julie’s condition, Scott explained: “Julie is now living with Alzheimer’s, not suffering with it – and that’s a big difference.
READ MORE: Julie Goodyear’s sad past from nervous breakdown to being jilted on wedding day
“Calling these events ‘Memory Walks’ is most appropriate; of course, memory is one of the things most affected by this cruel disease, but Julie and I are also trying to make more memories together. Taking part in this walk was a wonderful new memory for us to share.”
Scott announced the Bet Lynch star’s diagnosis in June this year, explaining that she had sought medical advice after “suffering forgetfulness”.
He heartbreakingly added that there was now “no hope of a reversal” and her condition with get “progressively and perhaps speedily” worse.
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He said at the time: “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.”
Julie played leopard-loving Bet Lynch on the ITV soap from 1966 to 2003. Throughout her career she has also appeared on reality shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Fit Club.
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