News

Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia

Heartbreaking news.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 7th June 2023

Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who famously played the iconic character Bet Lynch for over 25 years, has sadly been diagnosed with dementia.

Issuing a statement via ITV, her husband Scott Brand confirmed that they had been given the “heartbreaking diagnosis” this week.

Goodyear, 81, played the legendary Rovers Return pub landlord for over two decades across two different spells on the show, starting in 1966 before leaving the show for good in 1995.

Brand told the outlet on Wednesday: “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.”

Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 81.

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He went on to say that he and Goodyear “have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out”, noting that she inevitably gets recognised “and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired” and adding they “hope people will understand.”

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The Manc soap star and household name is from Heywood in Rochdale and retired from acting in 2003 after making her final special appearance on the Coronation Street spin-off, After Hours.

She remains a patron of the Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton to this day and donated a large amount of Corrie memorabilia and valuable jewellery to the facility back in 2021.

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Our thoughts are with Julie along with her friends and family during this difficult time.

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Featured Image — ITV

News

Entire tram line suspended due to overhead line damage at Old Trafford

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Queues forming in Manchester city centre after Altrincham tram services were suspended. Credit: The Manc Group

Metrolink trams along the Altrincham line have been suspended due to damage to an overhead line near Old Trafford.

The damage, caused by a third party, has caused significant disruption for commuters across the Greater Manchester region this afternoon.

No Metrolink tram services are operating between Altrincham and Piccadilly, in either direction.

Large queues are already forming for buses at Piccadilly Gardens as people attempt to get home.

Engineers have arrived on site to try and fix the issue, but ‘significant disruption’ is expected to continue into the evening.

TfGM and Metrolink have also deployed staff to assist people with their journeys at all stops in the city centre as well as at Old Trafford, Trafford Bar, and Cornbrook.

Trams between Bury and Deansgate-Castlefield are unaffected.

Ticket acceptance is in place on the 245, 255, 256, 263, 281 and 285 bus services and on Northern Rail services between Altrincham and the city centre. Simply show the driver your Metrolink ticket or pass when boarding.

You can plan the rest of your journey online using the TfGM journey planner here.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.

With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.

And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.

But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?

The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.

pints of beer
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals / Credit: Piqsels | Wikimedia Commons

The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.

“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”

The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA

Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.

This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.

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The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July, with the final taking place on Sunday 14 July.

Featured Image – Louis Hansel (via Unsplash)

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