Scottish comedian Janey Godley dies aged 63
Janey Godley was given end-of-life care following her cancer diagnosis.
Scottish comedian Janey Godley has passed away at the age of 63.
She had been undergoing palliative care following several years battling ovarian cancer, which led her to cancel her 'Why Is She Still Here?' tour in September.
Ms. Godley gained significant attention for her popular video remixes of Nicola Sturgeon's Covid briefings during the pandemic, as well as for her demonstration against Donald Trump's trip to Scotland in 2016.
Her daughter, Ashley Storrie, expressed her gratitude to Ms. Godley's close circle of friends for their assistance during these difficult days.
"I wanted to share this in person because I believe it's what she would have preferred," she expressed. "She left us peacefully, and I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice."
Acknowledging several cherished friends and family members, she expressed her gratitude by saying, "I truly appreciate your support in this challenging time; you helped turn a frightening experience into a calm and comforting transition."
She then spoke to Ms. Godley's followers, expressing her gratitude for their kindness and support.
"From the depths of my being, I truly believe she felt all the love you shared with her," she expressed. "I really think that love gave her strength and helped her hang on longer. The support and affection we surrounded her with made a real difference."
She wrapped up her video by saying "Bye Ma" and added, "Frank, please get the door," referencing Ms. Godley's well-known voiceovers of Nicola Sturgeon.
Ashley Storrie shared a video on social media expressing her gratitude to her supporters for their generosity and encouragement.
Chris David, Ms. Godley's manager, expressed that her family, friends, and numerous fans will feel her absence deeply.
He remarked: "She will be celebrated for her iconic voice impressions of Nicola Sturgeon during the pandemic, her funny and candid comedic style, but above all, for simply being 'Janey'."
Ms. Godley disclosed that she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2021.
She was declared cancer-free in 2022, but a subsequent scan revealed indications of the illness reappearing.
Born in the eastern part of Glasgow in 1961, Godley worked as a pub owner before making a name for herself in the world of comedy.
Ms. Storrie, who pursued a career in comedy like her mother, is the leading figure in the BBC Three comedy series Dinosaur. She recently received a nomination for a Bafta Scotland award for her performance in the show.
Image credit: Getty Images
Janey Godley alongside her daughter Ashley Storrie in November 2019, two years prior to her cancer diagnosis.
Godley gained widespread attention in 2016 when a photo surfaced of her holding a sign with a controversial term during a protest against Donald Trump during his visit to Scotland.
Her visibility increased when she provided voiceovers for Nicola Sturgeon's Covid briefings in Scotland. Eventually, she developed a friendship with the former first minister.
Godley has frequently appeared as a co-host on BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends and has also led the Radio 4 series The C Bomb.
In 2023, she received recognition at the first-ever Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award during the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
Earlier this week, she was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow while resting in her hospice bed.
"She Changed The World For The Better"
In a post on Instagram, Nicola Sturgeon described Ms. Godley as an "incredible force of nature" and one of the funniest individuals she has ever encountered.
She mentioned, "I got the chance to see her at the hospice a few weeks back. Even though she was quite weak, she still had me laughing uncontrollably."
Janey had a big heart and always showed kindness to others. Her actions truly made the world a nicer place to live.
"During challenging moments, she brought joy to others through her humor - and that was invaluable."
Image credit: PA Media
Janey Godley and Nicola Sturgeon developed a friendship when Godley created comedic videos based on the former First Minister's Covid press conferences.
First Minister John Swinney expressed his condolences on X, stating: "I'm deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Janey Godley."
She spread happiness and laughter during countless moments when we really needed it.
Julia McKenzie, the commissioning editor for comedy at Radio 4, described Ms. Godley as an exceptional storyteller who captured the resilient spirit of Glasgow.
She remarked, "Her tales were genuine and heartfelt, striking a balance between heartbreaking and inspiring, often within the same breath; and they were infused with her clever humor and talent for vividly portraying characters."
Louise Thornton, the head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, mentioned that Ms. Godley was a "cherished contributor" to BBC shows.
She mentioned, "Janey faced a courageous struggle with her health in recent years and openly shared this heartfelt experience with her usual honesty and sense of humor."
