It was the veteran star’s fourth husband who first shared news of her illness more than a year ago. Since then, he has spoken about the emotional toll of watching her slowly fade. Seeing the woman he loves go through this has been nothing short of “painful.”

The soap icon’s husband, Scott Brand, stepped away from his career to care for her around the clock as she faces the challenges of dementia. Not long ago, he posted a photo of the beloved English actress — one that quickly stirred a wave of mixed responses across social media.

In June 2023, Brand revealed that his wife had been diagnosed with dementia after they had sought answers for her increasing memory lapses. Doctors confirmed what the couple had feared — there would be no turning back.

“My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heartbreaking diagnosis,” Brand shared at the time. He explained that she had been dealing with forgetfulness for a while.

“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,” Brand added.

Brand divulged that his wife still enjoyed going out and seeing familiar faces. However, because she was often recognized by the public, moments of confusion could occur — especially when she was feeling tired. He hoped people would be understanding in such situations.

As time passed, the effects of the illness became more noticeable. In a March 2024 interview, Brand offered another glimpse into their daily reality. He shared that the woman he once knew, full of energy and charm, was gradually slipping away.

“All of this is now slowly fading away and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration,” he said. His famous wife now has difficulty recognizing people and has started calling everyone by the name, “Scott.”

The decline also affected how she presented herself. Brand recalled that she had always been meticulous about her appearance and never left home without makeup. Her lipsticks and beauty products now sat untouched, and she no longer showed interest in clothing, especially the leopard print she once favored.

Mobility has become another challenge, and she now uses a wheelchair. Brand reflected on the quiet loss of their shared routines. He remembered how much she enjoyed planning holidays, romantic dinners, and walking hand in hand.

Those moments have come to an end. He no longer travels either, explaining that he would never leave her side. After becoming her full-time carer, Brand started to notice the small things he used to enjoy without thinking — like having a drink or watching football with friends.

Now, everything had to be planned ahead, and he often felt too tired to go out. He also shared that he needed to be ready to drive at any time in case something happened, so drinking alcohol was no longer possible.

These daily changes began to take a toll not just on his routine but also on his well-being. “For me, the hardest part was accepting and coming to terms with the diagnosis,” Brand admitted.

At first, he avoided outside help, believing he could manage on his own, especially since they had always valued their privacy. However, that approach didn’t last. It soon became clear that he could not handle everything by himself. His health began to suffer, and as the only caregiver, he felt it was “killing” him.

He also had to take on responsibilities that had never been his before. She had always handled their finances with care and precision, but now she no longer recognized the value of money.

Suddenly, he found himself managing everything at home — a role he was not used to. Brand urged others in similar situations to accept help early, saying that trying to manage alone was not a long-term solution.

With the growing demands of daily care, Brand found comfort in the support offered by the Alzheimer’s Society. He and his wife backed a campaign by the organization, calling it a “lifeline” since the diagnosis.

The advert, titled “The Long Goodbye” and narrated by actor Colin Firth, illustrated the painful, ongoing nature of dementia. For Brand, the loss of simple joys — spontaneous outings, holding hands, meals out, or shopping together — captured the meaning behind the campaign’s name.

The charity also assigned a Dementia Adviser, Julie Mann, who helped ease Brand’s responsibilities. She guided him through financial paperwork, long-term planning, and securing the right care. He shared that without this help, managing the situation would have been overwhelming, describing the support as essential and ongoing.

While support from the Alzheimer’s Society helped ease the burden, moments of joy had grown rare. In April 2025, Brand shared a recent photo of his wife, soap actress Julie Goodyear, now 83, alongside a short message in the since-deleted post writing, “Just got home with my lovely wife and we’ve had a fantastic day together.”

In the image, Goodyear, who was pictured for the first time in 2023 at a charity walk since the diagnosis, was seated and dressed in a grey hoodie. Her hair was long and silver, pulled back from her face. Deep lines were visible around her mouth and eyes, and her skin appeared pale. She was smiling, showing a few missing teeth.

The photo quickly drew public attention and sparked a wide range of responses online. While some fans criticized the decision to post the image, others supported it.

One person wrote, “I feel absolutely DISGUSTED that Julie Goodyear’s husband would release that photo of her.” Another added, “So very sad to see this photo, Julie was always so glamorous in Corrie let’s all remember her from those days [sic].”

Others defended Brand’s decision to share the picture. A comment read, “Julie Goodyear’s husband did nothing wrong! She looks happy and cared for, what should he do, hide her away because it makes weirdos uncomfortable?”

Some shared personal experiences, including one who wrote, “My mum [sic] had dementia, I personally think the picture is lovely, she looks happy in her own little world and still has a lovely sparkle about her.” Another simply stated, “Aww so sad, dementia is cruel.”

Months earlier, in June 2024, Brand had shared a heartfelt tribute to their relationship. To mark their wedding anniversary, he posted a throwback photo from their special day along with the message, “17 years today me and my beautiful wife tied the knot and every day is still special.”

Goodyear first met Brand in 1996 when he delivered plaster to a property she was renovating. They later wed in a private ceremony in 2007. He is more than twenty years her junior.

The English actress once shared that they both had a playful sense of humor and that Brand knew how to treat her well. She also mentioned that he often admitted he couldn’t keep up with her pace, joking that she wore him out. Before meeting Brand, Goodyear had experienced a turbulent romantic history.

She had been married three times. Her first marriage, to Ray Sutcliffe, took place in 1959 after she became pregnant at 17. The relationship, marked by emotional distance, ended in 1963. Following the birth of their son, Gary Goodyear, Sutcliffe left the country for Australia and never returned, cutting off all contact with the family.

Goodyear’s next attempt at marriage brought even more heartache. Her second union, to Tony Rudman, lasted from 1973 to 1974 and unraveled almost immediately. In her autobiography “Just Julie,” she described how his behavior shifted right after their vows.

As they exited the church, he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the guests, muttering, “Just get in the [expletive] car.” Once at the reception, Rudman walked off and never returned, leaving Goodyear to face the guests alone. The reason behind his sudden change remained unclear, but she admitted the marriage ended up costing her significantly — especially financially.

After the collapse of her second marriage, Goodyear’s third brought a very different experience. In 1985, she wed Richard Skrob, a wealthy American widower who had been battling leukemia. Their bond grew quickly, and when he proposed, she accepted.

However, their marriage took an odd turn right from the start. Skrob chose to spend their wedding night sailing rather than by her side. He also did not accompany her back to Britain as expected. By 1987, the relationship had broken down.

While her personal life was marked by setbacks, Goodyear’s early career also came with its own struggles. The TV star’s first run on “Coronation Street” in 1966 ended after just six weeks, leaving her crushed.

She returned to typing and odd TV roles, even arriving at Granada once in a concrete mixer — earning a sharp remark from Pat Phoenix. The two later became friends, and Goodyear took her advice to train at Oldham Rep. Four years later, she returned to the show with a six-month contract, determined to make Bet Lynch unforgettable.

From early heartbreaks to public acclaim and personal trials, Goodyear’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Through it all, she has remained a beloved figure — one whose impact endures, both on-screen and off.