Scottish comedian Janey Godley dies aged 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley has passed away at 63. She had been receiving palliative care after battling ovarian cancer for several years, which led to the cancellation of her “Why Is She Still Here?” tour in September.

Godley gained widespread recognition for her viral dubbed videos of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s Covid briefings and her vocal protest against Donald Trump’s 2016 visit to Scotland. Her daughter, comedian Ashley Storrie, expressed gratitude to Godley’s “found family” for their support in her mother’s final days. In a social media video, Storrie shared, “She went peacefully, and I want to thank all the staff at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.”

Addressing her mother’s fans, Storrie thanked them for their support, saying it helped give her mother more time, concluding her video with a loving farewell and a reference to Godley’s famous voiceovers, “Frank, get the door.”

Godley’s manager, Chris David, said she would be “hugely missed by family, friends, and fans,” and remembered for her iconic voiceovers, her bold and humorous style, and her unique personality. Godley first revealed her diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2021, went into remission in 2022, but faced a recurrence.

Born in Glasgow in 1961, Godley started as a pub landlady before becoming a major figure in comedy. She went viral in 2016 with a protest placard during Trump’s visit to Scotland and gained more prominence with her Covid briefing parodies. Godley was also a regular co-presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends and fronted her own series The C Bomb.

In 2023, she received the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, and this week she was granted an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow from her hospice bed. Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute on Instagram, calling her “a true force of nature” and remembering her for the laughter she brought during tough times. First Minister John Swinney and BBC Radio 4’s Julia McKenzie also honored her, celebrating her storytelling that resonated with Glasgow’s resilience.

Music by Yevhen Onoychenko from Pixabay