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The husband of Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear has revealed the pain of watching his beloved wife “slowly fading away” after her dementia diagnosis.

Scott Brand has shared his experience as part of a new Alzheimer’s Society campaign, featuring a TV advert voiced by British actor Colin Firth.

The advert, titled The Long Goodbye, illustrates the harsh reality of the disease’s progression – causing loved ones to “die again, and again, and again”.

Brand said: “I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been – the larger-than-life personality that brightened up everywhere she went, and the smile that lit up every room.

“All of this is now slowly fading away and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration.

“Julie now struggles recognising people and everyone she meets is called ‘Scott’.

“Not being able to spontaneously go out as husband and wife, holding hands as we stroll along, going for meals together and going shopping – all these losses for me symbolise the Long Goodbye.”

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Shadow of her former self

Goodyear played Bet Lynch, the no-nonsense landlady of the Rovers Return, on Coronation Street for more than 25 years.

The former actress, 81, was renowned for her leopard-print clothing and glamorous looks both on and off screen, but her husband said dementia has caused a lack of interest in her appearance.

“Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her makeup.

“But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print,” Brand said.

Actress Julie Goodyear alias Bet Lynch on the set of Coronation Street at Granada Studios in Manchester to mark her return to the soap. Pic date: 2 May 2002
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Goodyear played no-nonsense landlady Bet Lynch for 25 years. Pic: PA

Brand is Goodyear’s fourth husband, and they married in 2007.

‘I wasn’t coping’

He revealed he initially “refused to accept any support” after Goodyear’s diagnosis before realising “I couldn’t do it by myself”.

“I had to give up work to become Julie’s full-time carer,” he said.

“I wasn’t coping and needed to seek support.

“Caring for Julie is my priority, but my health was being affected and as a lone carer I felt it was ‘killing me’.

“Julie had always dealt with the finances but now she cannot even recognise the value of money,” he added.

Julie Goodyear arrives at the Celebrity Big Brother House at Elstree Studios in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday 7 September, 2012. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
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Goodyear appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. Pic: PA

“I was suddenly thrown into having to sort out all the household affairs, something Julie had always managed with ease and perfection.

“It was like being thrown into a new world of having to do everything by myself.

“I would advise anyone going through this journey to accept help straight away.”

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‘There is hope’

Kate Lee, chief executive officer of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This campaign seeks to tell the unvarnished truth about the devastation caused by dementia and it is very much informed by people affected by the condition.

“The loved ones of people with dementia often describe it as a ‘living grief’ as, bit by bit, the disease’s relentless progression causes part of the person to die…again and again and again.

“But there is hope.

“Alzheimer’s Society, through its support services, is there for people affected again and again as they face the grim reality of the long goodbye.”

Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain function, according to the NHS.

The condition can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities.

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Snoop Dogg says he hopes to open burger van at Celtic Park

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Snoop Dogg says he hopes to open burger van at Celtic Park

Snoop Dogg says he hopes to set up a burger van at Celtic’s stadium and wants to serve fans himself.

The US rapper, 53, has described the football club’s supporters as “special” and the best fans in European football.

And Snoop, who played Glasgow‘s OVO Hydro arena in 2023, has also said he strongly identifies with the club’s mascot Hoopy the Hound.

He said a fast-food van at Celtic Park would become a foodie “Paradise” which is a nickname for the ground in the Parkhead area of the city.

Celtic Park. Pic: AP
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Celtic Park. Pic: AP

Snoop told the Sunday Mail: “I would love to bring a pop-up burger [van] to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good.

“It’s got to be Celtic Park, man. The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple-cured bacon.

“The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself.”

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But he said he would not be taking his culinary ventures to Rangers – Celtic’s Old Firm rivals at Ibrox.

The Drop It Like It’s Hot star told the paper: “Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss.”

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The musician has previously spoken of investing in Celtic, similar to Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds’s involvement with Wrexham FC.

Snoop has already published a cookbook and claims to have spoken to chef Gordon Ramsay about a possible venture in Glasgow together.

The keen sports fan worked as a correspondent for NBC at the Paris Olympics last year, and has launched two youth football leagues, as well as being a vocal advocate for pay equality for female athletes.

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Dawn French apologises for ‘mocking tone’ in video about Israel-Hamas conflict

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Dawn French apologises for 'mocking tone' in video about Israel-Hamas conflict

Dawn French has apologised and taken down a video she posted about the war in Gaza after facing backlash.

The popular actress and comedian said she apologised “unreservedly” after posting a video in a “mocking tone”.

In the original 40-second clip, the Vicar of Dibley star said: “Complicated, no, but nuanced. But bottom line is no.”

Then, using a different tone, she went on: “Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us, yeah but no.

“But we want that land… and we have history… No.

“Those people aren’t really even people, are they really? No.”

On Saturday afternoon, she issued an apology, saying that in an effort to convey “an important message” she had “clumsily used a mocking tone”.

“My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023,” she posted on X and Instagram.

She said her intention was to “point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leader on ALL sides of this atrocious war”.

French faced criticised after her initial post.

Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman said she was “saddened” by it.

She said: “This mocking voice ‘bad thing’ of October 7 that Dawn (who I revere by the way) appears ro [sic] be mocking involved the most horrific terrorist attack.”

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MP Rosie Duffield responded to Oberman’s post, saying: “One can, and should hate what is happening in Gaza and also condemn the hideous events of October 7th.

“It is agonising to see events unfold, and requires extremely careful, measured and well-considered comments and actions. This is not that.”

Some social media users tried to pressure M&S, who French voices adverts for, over the incident.

In October 2023, Hamas led other militant groups in a cross-border attack, killing around 1,200 people and taking about 250 people hostage.

Since then, Israel has launched a number of large-scale campaigns in the region, including in Gaza where over 54,000 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the enclave.

Many of these are said to be women and children.

Israel claims to be targeting militants and blames collateral deaths on Hamas fighters positioning themselves in densely populated areas.

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Sir Rod Stewart ‘devastated’ after cancelling more US concerts as he recovers from flu

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Sir Rod Stewart 'devastated' after cancelling more US concerts as he recovers from flu

Sir Rod Stewart says he is devastated to have to cancel a series of US concerts, blaming lingering flu for the decision.

It affects four shows in Nevada, along with a further two in California, which he plans to reschedule.

They were due to take place over the next eight days.

“So sorry my friends. I’m devastated and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I’ll be back on stage and will see you soon,” he wrote in a message on Instagram.

Sir Rod, 80, has been struggling to recover from flu and this week had already cancelled two concerts at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

On Wednesday, he disclosed that his doctor had “ordered” him to take “a bit more rest”.

The star is in the midst of his epic One Last Time Tour.

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Sir Rod, who was recently put on vocal rest, is due to play the legends slot at Glastonbury later this month.

In May, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the American Music Awards (AMAs).

Rod Stewart performs during the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas
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Sir Rod performing at the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas. Pic: Reuters

In a sign of how seriously the singer takes his health, last month he was also spotted in Italy attempting to avoid conversations to preserve his voice.

He wore a message attached to a lanyard which read: “Sorry. Cannot talk. Having vocal rest.”

In 2024, he promised he would not retire but confirmed his 2025 European and North American shows would bring an end to his “large-scale world tours”.

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The performer, best known for songs including Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Every Beat Of My Heart, and Maggie May, said he plans to focus on more intimate venues instead.

Sir Rod has faced other health challenges in the past.

In May 2000, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had surgery. In 2017, he underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer.

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