Scottish comedian Janey Godley dies aged 63

Janey Godley, the Scottish comedian and writer known for her sharp sense of humor that took her from serving drinks in Glasgow to performing stand-up comedy around the world, has passed away at the age of 63.

Her management announced on Saturday that she passed away in a hospice, "surrounded by her loved ones." Godley had previously revealed in September that she was undergoing palliative care due to the progression of her terminal cancer.

Throughout her career, which includes stand-up comedy, writing novels, and creating viral videos, Godley's ability to tell stories and her honest approach have won her a dedicated following. Brian Logan, the comedy critic for The Guardian, referred to her as "a comedian who has established herself, especially in the hearts of the Scottish people, and created her own unique space in the industry."

Spending 15 years working at a pub in Glasgow was Godley's entry into the world of performance. She shared with the Guardian in 2005, “I had a knack for being entertaining behind the bar.” When she got the chance to perform at an open-mic comedy night in her 30s, her talent for storytelling and her quick-witted interactions with the audience helped her stand out: “People were impressed with how I managed the crowd, being able to quiet down 700 rowdy patrons, but that’s just part of being a good bartender. Once I started performing comedy, it felt like I had truly found my place.”

Born in January 1961 in Campsie, Scotland, Godley spent her early years in the eastern part of Glasgow, facing numerous challenges during her upbringing. She shared the hardships of her childhood in her memoir, Handstands in the Dark, published in 2005. Godley was raised by her father Jim Currie, who struggled with alcoholism, and her mother Annie, who faced financial difficulties. Additionally, she suffered sexual abuse at the hands of an uncle, who was convicted of his actions in 1996.

In her late teens, she tied the knot with Sean Storrie, who belonged to a well-known criminal family in Glasgow. Although they later distanced themselves from his relatives to create a fresh start, they encountered significant challenges, including crime, drug-related fatalities, and the tragic murder of her mother.

She was never hesitant to make light of serious topics, using her personal experiences as inspiration. “A key aspect of comedy is that no one has the right to dictate what you can joke about, as long as you're making fun of those in power,” she explained to the Guardian in 2019.

Her achievements on stage opened doors for her on Radio 4’s Just a Minute and various television shows, such as Have I Got News For You, the Scottish soap opera River City, and the crime series Traces.

In 2016, in her usual no-nonsense manner, she welcomed Donald Trump at his golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, brandishing a sign that said "Trump is a jerk." The photo quickly spread across the internet.

In 2019, Godley started creating funny videos where she provided the inner thoughts of Nicola Sturgeon while showing footage of the former Scottish first minister performing her official responsibilities. This newfound popularity online attracted a fresh audience. By 2022, Godley ventured into fiction, authoring a murder mystery titled "Nothing Left Unsaid," which takes place in 1970s Glasgow.

Although Godley experimented with the ideas of Thatcherism in her youth, she has since criticized politicians like Boris Johnson and has aligned herself with the pro-independence movement in Scotland. She actively used her social media to back the SNP and speak out against transphobia, while also frequently posting updates about her sausage dog, Honey.

In 1986, Godley welcomed her daughter Ashley Storrie into the world. Storrie went on to pursue a career in comedy, just like her mother. The pair collaborated on various online sketches and appeared together in the sitcom Dinosaur. Additionally, Storrie was by Godley’s side during her last stand-up tour, titled Not Dead Yet.

In 2021, Godley was found to have stage three cervical cancer. Unfortunately, the disease came back in 2023, leading her to start her last tour. During this tour, she captivated audiences with stories from her remarkable life, showcasing her skills as a storyteller one last time.

In September, she decided to call off her fall tour, even though she had originally hoped to keep it going.

On Thursday, her daughter Ashley shared on her X account that Godley received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow. Ashley mentioned that this recognition brought her mother a great deal of happiness during her last days.