Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear seen in public for first time since dementia diagnosis

Julie Goodyear and her husband Scott Brand joined in on the Alzheimer's Society Manchester Memory Walk at Heaton Park on Sunday.

It's a cause very close to the couple's heart, as Coronation Street legend Julie, 81, was diagnosed with dementia just several months ago.

Pictured in their bright-blue charity T-shirts, 55-year-old Scott pushed his beloved wife around in a wheelchair and even cut the special event's ribbon.

Back in June, his emotional public statement read: "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 that 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," concluded Scott.

An MBE recipient in 1996, the Bury-born soap actress sporadically played Weatherfield titan Bet Lynch between the years 1966 and 2003.

Julie went on to cameo in Hollyoaks for one episode as the character Mrs Temple, too, while Stars In Their Eyes, Celebrity Fit Club, All Star Mr & Mrs, Celebrity Big Brother, and Piers Morgan's Life Stories were all graced by her unparalleled presence.

Another household name suffering with dementia is Pulp Fiction and Die Hard icon Bruce Willis.

In February of this year, a family statement read: "Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce's original diagnosis.

"In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing. Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).

"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."

Three months later, the 68-year-old's wife Emma Heming Willis shared this health update: "When you live the world of dementia you know that options are slim. But some won't take that lying down which is how change is made, and I got to witness the beauty in that last night."

She later said on The Today Show: "What I'm learning is that dementia is hard. It's hard on the person diagnosed. It's also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce or myself or our girls".

The pair share young daughters Mabel and Evelyn together, while Bruce is dad to three other daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore: Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.

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