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Julie Goodyear

For a quarter of a century her Corrie character set the standard for brassy blondes. But nothing on-screen compares to her real life. Kirsty Young talks to actress Julie Goodyear.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the actress Julie Goodyear.

For a quarter of a century her Coronation Street character Bet Lynch set the gold plated standard for big, brassy, back chatting blondes. Behind the bar of the Rovers Return her bosom swathed in leopard-print and her head piled high with platinum curls she was Manchester's answer to Mae West. Her MBE was awarded for her services to drama - and when she left the series in 1995, her departure pulled in 19 million viewers.

Yet whatever the scriptwriters came up with it was never as dramatic as the life she's lived beyond The Street. She got pregnant at 17, her second husband abandoned her for their best man, and in 1979 she was diagnosed with cancer and told she'd a year to live. She's now married to her fourth husband.

She says, "If anyone should be interested in an epitaph for my life, I would like them to consider, 'At least she tried."

Producer: Cathy Drysdale.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Mar 2013 09:00

Music Played

  • Nancy Sinatra

    These Boots are Made for Walkin’

    • Nancy Sinatra Greatest Hits.
    • Platinum.
  • Eileen Wilson

    The Alphabet Song – A You’re Adorable

    • Frank Sinatra Hit Parade Shows – April 30 - May 28 1949.
    • Jazz Hour.
  • Nat King Cole

    Blue Moon

    • Let’s Face the Music and Dance.
    • CAPITOL.
  • Bill Haley and His Comets

    Rock Around The Clock

    • Bill Haley: From the Original Master Tapes.
    • MCA.
  • Barry Manilow

    I made it through the Rain

    • Barry Manilow:Greatest Hits.
    • Arista.
  • Johnny Mathis

    When A Child Is Born

    • Christmas Greatest Hits.
    • Telstar.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

      (I've Had) The Time Of My Life

      • The Best of Bill Medley.
      • Curb.
  • Tina Turner

    Simply the Best

    • The Best of Tina Turner.
    • Capitol.
  • Book Choice

    • Jonathan Livingston Seagull

  • Luxury Choice

    • Her mother's bus pass

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Julie Goodyear

Broadcasts

  • Sun 17 Mar 2013 11:15
  • Fri 22 Mar 2013 09:00

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