Former Coronation Street actress Sue Jenkins has spoken about her co-star Julie Goodyear’s dementia diagnosis.
Although best known for her role as Jackie Corkhill in Channel 4’s gritty cul-de-sac saga Brookside, Sue played the role of barmaid Gloria Todd in Corrie between 1985-1988, starring alongside Goodyear as landlady Bet Lynch.
Speaking to The Mirror, Sue described the recent announcement that Goodyear was battling dementia as ‘the saddest thing’.
“It’s the saddest thing, but unfortunately, it just seems so common now. It’s heartbreaking how many people are suffering – we really have got to get to the bottom of why and fight it. There are so many theories out there on what causes dementia; it’s frightening, it seems out of our control.”
“Julie was wonderful. I have such great memories working with her. We have touched base over the years but not recently,”
“It’s a big thing to go behind the bar in the Rovers. I only went in for two episodes and ended up staying for nearly four years. I remember being utterly terrified. I grew up watching it. My parents loved it. They couldn’t believe I was going to be in it! It was nerve-wracking.”
Gloria became firm friends with Bet and was a bridesmaid at her wedding to Alec. She had an affair with Alan Bradley, until she discovered he was also seeing Rita Fairclough. Another of her admirers was Bet’s live-in lover at Rovers, Frank Mills, who Bet threw out after he made a pass at Gloria.
Other romantic interests included Terry Duckworth and Mike Baldwin. In 1988 she was reconciled with her mother who had given her away when she was 4, before leaving Weatherfield with Sandra Stubbs’ boyfriend, Pete Shaw.
Three years later Sue took on her more famous soap role as the long-suffering Jackie who stood by Jimmy throughout his ecstasy and cocaine addiction.
Sue notes that fans still stop her in the street to talk about the role.
“They always say oh we loved Jackie. We miss Brookside. There was nothing like Brookside at that time. It was so innovative and so ground-breaking in the stories it told.
“Jackie was very loyal, very maternal, a great nurturer – someone whose family meant the absolute world to her. She had a lot of faith in the people she loved – no matter what. She always tried to put them first and do what was best for the family. I think a lot of women relate to that.”
With 5 episodes available on the service each Wednesday, Brookside is currently streaming on STV Player from the beginning. It is the platform’s most-streamed acquisition ever.
Sue is currently starring in Cuckoo at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs until Saturday, August 19 2023, before transferring to Liverpool Everyman from Wednesday, September 6 to Saturday, September 23 2023.
