Janey Godley obituary

Janey Godley, the Scottish comedian, actress, and author, has passed away from cancer at the age of 63. She drew large audiences throughout the UK, but it was on social media that she truly thrived and connected with her community.

That's where she rose to viral stardom by sharing her hilarious voiceovers of politicians and public figures, characterized by their clever, blunt, and politically charged humor. One of her standout moments came during the Covid-19 pandemic when she created a frustrated and colorful rendition of daily updates from then-first minister Nicola Sturgeon, featuring memorable lines like, “If I see any of you outside, I’ll kick your butt!” She always concluded with the signature line: “Frank, get the door!” The Royal Society of Edinburgh later acknowledged Godley for enhancing public interest in health messages.

Godley, the youngest of four siblings, grew up in the east end of Glasgow, where her father, Jim Currie, worked at a local steel foundry and her mother, Annie, faced challenges of her own. In her 2006 memoir, *Handstands in the Dark*, she reflects on her upbringing with the same sharp wit and unapologetic tone that made her a hit on stage. She revealed to the Guardian in 2019 that both parents battled alcohol addiction, and their family had financial struggles. “We were poor,” she admitted. “I remember scavenging for food and dealing with dirty clothes as a teenager. But I was smart and had a passion for reading, which offered me a way out. And I don’t feel ashamed of any of it because it wasn’t my doing.”

Throughout her childhood, she endured sexual abuse at the hands of an uncle. As an adult, she decided to take legal action against him, along with her sister, who had also suffered similar abuse from him, and they successfully obtained a conviction.

After finishing her time at Eastbank Academy without earning any qualifications, she got married to Sean Storrie in 1980 when she was just 19 years old. He was the son of a local mobster.

Her parents split up in the 1970s, and in 1982, her mother was killed by her abusive boyfriend, a fact that Godley firmly believed, even though the police never charged him despite her family’s objections. In 1986, Godley had her only child, Ashley, who has since become a Bafta-nominated comedian and presenter. During her twenties, Godley managed her in-laws' pub located in the Calton area of Glasgow.

Eventually, she and Storrie left behind her husband’s tumultuous and aggressive family. Working as a barmaid in one of Glasgow's toughest pubs helped her develop the comedic timing and crowd management skills crucial for stand-up comedy. After performing exceptionally well at open-mic events, she quickly advanced in the comedy scene, adopting her middle name as her stage name. She made appearances on television programs like **Have I Got News For You** and acted in the 2018 film **Wild Rose**.

In her interview with The Guardian, Godley shared her surprise at having an older woman from a working-class background—she was a 35-year-old mother—take such bold actions. "It ruffled some feathers," she admitted. "I opened up about my mother's murder, experiences of child abuse, and encounters with gangsters. At that time, even comedians were advising against bringing those topics up."

Godley was vocal about her support for progressive politics and her concerns regarding the misuse of power. She advocated for transgender rights and championed Scottish independence, which led to her receiving harsh and often cruel criticism online.

In 2021, she took to the internet to admit her past mistakes, specifically regarding a collection of old tweets about black celebrities that she referred to as “horrific.” This controversy resulted in her being removed from a public health initiative led by the Scottish government.

Her stance on Donald Trump made her a global figure. The day after the UK voted to exit the EU in 2016, the then-Republican nominee arrived at his golf course in Turnberry, on Scotland's south-west coast. Fueled by a righteous anger over Scotland being “tied to a country that left Europe based on falsehoods and racism,” as well as her feelings toward Trump himself, Godley crafted a sharp protest slogan by hand and took a bus to the coast. A photo of this small yet resolute woman, surrounded by police trying to shield her controversial sign, quickly spread online.

Godley shared with the Guardian back then, "I believe it's crucial for women's perspectives to be acknowledged in the face of someone who demonstrates a complete lack of regard for women."

In November 2021, the comedian revealed that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and began chemotherapy treatment. By 2022, she received the news that she was cancer-free. However, a subsequent scan indicated that the cancer had returned in her abdomen. In September of this year, she had to cancel her upcoming tour and shared that she was now undergoing end-of-life care.

During her last weeks, Godley maintained a strong connection with her loyal online supporters from her hospice bed.

In one of her recent personal videos, she expressed to her followers, “I may not have all the answers to your many questions, but I’m sending you my heartfelt love.”

Godley is survived by her spouse and child.