This 83-Year-Old Legend Battles Dementia Beside Her Husband, Who Is Over Two Decades Younger – Their Love Story
More than a year ago, the veteran star’s fourth spouse broke the news of her illness. He has talked about the emotional toll of seeing her gradually deteriorate ever since. The experience of witnessing the lady he loves go through this has been “painful.”
To care for his beloved wife around the clock as she bravely faces the challenges of dementia, soap opera legend Scott Brand made the heart-wrenching decision to leave his job. Recently, he shared a touching photo of the beloved English actress on social media, sparking an outpouring of emotion from fans across the globe.
In June 2023, following a series of troubling memory lapses, doctors confirmed the couple’s worst fears: a diagnosis of dementia. The news was devastating. “My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heartbreaking diagnosis,” Brand shared at the time, his words echoing the deep sorrow they now live with daily.
He added, “We now know there is no chance of reversal. Her condition will only worsen—perhaps rapidly.” Despite the grim reality, Brand’s unwavering love and devotion shine through as he stands by her side, offering strength, comfort, and constant care in the face of an uncertain future.
Scott Brand shares that despite the challenges of dementia, his wife still enjoys going out to see familiar faces. However, as her recognition grows more difficult due to the public’s frequent attention, she sometimes becomes disoriented—especially when she’s exhausted. In these moments, Brand hopes for patience and understanding from those who cross her path.
As the illness progresses, the changes become more evident. In a poignant interview from March 2024, Brand offered another glimpse into their daily life, revealing the heartache he feels as the vibrant, charismatic woman he once knew begins to slip away.
“All of this is slowly fading, and it’s excruciating for me to watch,” he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion. The once-recognizable woman now struggles to identify those around her, even referring to everyone as “Scott” and growing frustrated at her confusion.
Brand reflected on the personal shifts that mark this heartbreaking journey. His wife, once meticulous about her appearance, never left the house without makeup and was always particular about her clothes. Now, her cosmetics sit untouched, and she has lost all interest in her wardrobe—especially the leopard print she once adored.
Mobility has also become a struggle, with her now relying on a wheelchair. Brand spoke quietly of how their shared rituals, the ones that once defined their love, are gradually slipping away. He recalled the joy they once found in walking hand in hand, preparing intimate meals together, and planning special getaways. Those moments now feel like distant memories, fading with each passing day.
The time for those cherished moments is gone. Scott Brand has made a promise to never leave his wife’s side, and with that vow, he has also sacrificed his own freedom. He no longer travels, fully dedicated to the role of her full-time caregiver. In taking on this new responsibility, Brand found himself acutely aware of the small, everyday joys he once took for granted—simple pleasures like having a drink with friends or watching a football match.
Now, everything requires meticulous planning, and even leaving the house has become a rare luxury. He confessed that drinking alcohol had become an impossibility, as he always had to be prepared to drive in case something went wrong. The toll of these constant adjustments began to wear on him, both physically and emotionally. “The hardest part for me was accepting and coming to terms with the diagnosis,” Brand shared, his voice heavy with the weight of his reality.
For a time, he tried to shoulder everything alone. They had always valued their privacy, and initially, Brand rejected outside help, convinced he could handle the burden by himself. But soon, the overwhelming responsibility of caregiving took its toll. He realized he could no longer manage alone. His health began to decline, and the strain felt suffocating. “It’s killing me,” he admitted, the pressure of being the sole caregiver for his wife weighing heavily on him.
His wife, once meticulous and careful with their finances, now struggled to grasp the concept of money. Brand was suddenly thrust into responsibilities he had never imagined—tasks he had never been prepared for. With everything on his plate, he began to feel the weight of the situation more than ever. “If you’re in my position, don’t try to do it all on your own,” he urged others in similar situations. “Seek help as soon as possible. It’s simply not sustainable.”
Thankfully, the Alzheimer’s Society became a lifeline for Brand. As his wife’s care needs grew, the support from the organization became invaluable. Together, they embraced the mission of the charity, with Brand referring to it as a critical source of help since the diagnosis. The powerful “The Long Goodbye” campaign, narrated by Colin Firth, poignantly captured the slow, agonizing progression of dementia. For Brand, the campaign’s title resonated deeply, symbolizing the small but painful losses of everyday life—those spontaneous trips, the shared moments of holding hands, the simple pleasure of dining out or shopping together.
Julie Mann, a dementia adviser from the charity, became an essential part of Brand’s support system. She assisted him in navigating the complexities of long-term planning, financial documentation, and securing the right care. Without this support, Brand said the situation would have been unbearable. “It was continuous, it was vital,” he explained.
Despite the aid from the Alzheimer’s Society, moments of happiness have become few and far between. However, Brand found a brief moment of joy in April 2025, sharing a picture of his wife, 83-year-old soap star Julie Goodyear, after a wonderful day together. The image, posted briefly before being taken down, showed Goodyear seated in a grey hoodie, her long silver hair pulled back, her pale complexion marked with deep lines around her eyes and mouth. A few teeth were missing, yet she was smiling. It was a powerful and raw snapshot that captured both the struggle and the enduring connection between the couple.
The picture sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans appreciated the glimpse into their lives, while others felt uncomfortable with the public nature of the moment. Nevertheless, for Brand, it was a tender reminder of the love they still shared, even in the face of an unrelenting illness.
The photo of Julie Goodyear, shared by her husband Scott Brand, sparked a range of reactions online, some of which were deeply critical. One user expressed disgust, writing, “I feel absolutely DISGUSTED that Julie Goodyear’s husband would release that photo of her.” Another echoed the sentiment, commenting, “So very sad to see this photo, Julie was always so glamorous in Corrie. Let’s all remember her from those days.”
Yet, many defended Brand’s choice to share the image. “Julie Goodyear’s husband did nothing wrong!” one comment boldly stated. “She is content and well cared for. Should he keep her hidden just because it makes strangers uncomfortable?”
Some people found solace in the photo, seeing beyond the surface to the love and peace it represented. One user shared, “My mum had dementia, and I personally think the picture is lovely. She looks happy in her own little world and still has a lovely sparkle about her.” Others echoed this sentiment, recognizing the cruel nature of the illness. “Aww, so sad, dementia is cruel,” another user wrote, showing empathy and understanding.
Months earlier, in June 2024, Brand had taken to social media to commemorate their wedding anniversary with a heartfelt tribute to their love. He posted a vintage photo from their special day, reminiscing on the 17 years they had shared together. “17 years today me and my beautiful wife tied the knot, and every day is still special,” he wrote, reminding the world of the enduring bond they share despite the challenges they now face.
Julie Goodyear’s path to love took many unexpected turns before she met Scott Brand in 1996. Their first encounter came when he brought plaster to a house she was remodeling—a chance meeting that would eventually blossom into a deep, lasting bond. Over a decade later, in 2007, they secretly married, with Brand being over two decades her junior.
Goodyear once reflected on their relationship, sharing that Brand always knew how to treat her with kindness and a sense of humor. She fondly recalled how he would jokingly admit that he could never quite keep up with her energy, often laughing about how he struggled to match her pace. Their shared laughter and playful spirit became the foundation of their connection.
Before Brand, Goodyear’s romantic history had been marked by turbulence. She had been married three times. At just 17, she married Ray Sutcliffe after discovering she was pregnant. The marriage, which began in 1959, was emotionally distant from the start. By 1963, it had ended in divorce. Sutcliffe, after the birth of their son, Gary Goodyear, moved to Australia and severed all ties with Goodyear and their son, leaving a painful void that would linger for years.
Goodyear’s second marriage brought even more heartache. Her union with Tony Rudman, which lasted only from 1973 to 1974, became a swift and painful lesson in betrayal. In her memoir Just Julie, she recounted the chilling moment that marked the downfall of their brief marriage. After they exchanged vows, Rudman’s demeanor shifted completely. As they left the church, he grabbed her arm and dragged her away from the celebration, whispering harshly, “Just get in the [expletive] car.” That was just the beginning. He abandoned Goodyear to handle the guests alone at the reception before vanishing completely. The marriage, which had seemed like a new beginning, ended in disgrace. Although she didn’t go into detail about what triggered his sudden and cruel transformation, Goodyear admitted that the marriage left deep scars, particularly financially.
Her third marriage, however, offered a glimmer of hope after the devastating experience with Rudman. In 1985, Goodyear married Richard Skrob, a wealthy American widower battling leukemia. Their connection was immediate, and their closeness grew quickly. Goodyear, perhaps seeking solace after her previous heartaches, accepted his proposal, believing that this time, things would be different.
From the outset, Goodyear’s third marriage took a perplexing and disheartening turn. Instead of spending their wedding night together, Richard Skrob chose to go sailing, setting the stage for a series of disappointments. When it came time to return to Britain, he didn’t accompany her, and by 1987, their marriage had quietly unravelled. The pattern of betrayal seemed to follow Goodyear, as yet another relationship ended abruptly, leaving her to face yet another personal defeat.
Despite these painful setbacks in her love life, Goodyear also faced professional struggles. Her early years in television were filled with heartache. In 1966, her first stint on Coronation Street ended tragically after just six weeks. Devastated, she returned to typing and took on strange and unremarkable roles in television. In one unforgettable moment, she arrived in Granada in a concrete mixer, a stunt that prompted a biting comment from Pat Phoenix, who suggested she train at Oldham Rep. Though Phoenix’s words stung, they led to an unlikely friendship between the two.
Undeterred by the early failures, Goodyear was determined to leave a lasting mark. Four years later, she returned to Coronation Street with a six-month contract, ready to make her presence felt as the iconic Bet Lynch. It was her second chance, and she seized it with all the resolve she had.
Goodyear’s journey has been anything but typical, ranging from early heartbreaks to public adulation and personal hardships.
