Scottish comedian Janey Godley dies aged 63

November 03, 2024
Scottish comedian Janey Godley dies aged 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley has died aged 63 after receiving palliative treatment for terminal cancer.

In a statement, her representative Chris Davis Management said she would be "hugely missed by her family, friends and her many fans".

Godley's daughter, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Ashley Storrie, said "we got her longer because of all of the support and the love in the world" in a video posted to X announcing the news.

She said in the video: "I want to thank all of you for all of your kindness and your support.

Earlier this morning Janey passed away in her sleep. Her family were with her.
The love and support from all her friends and fans during this cancer journey brought her enormous joy. It has also been a huge comfort to us, her family and close friends, thank you. pic.twitter.com/r6cpoGjuR4

— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) November 2, 2024

"I believe in my heart of hearts that she felt every bit of love you sent to her. And I think it kept her going.

"I think genuinely we got her longer because of all of the support and the love in the world. But that’s it over now. So, thank you once again and bye ma – Frank, get the door."

The comedian found viral fame with her dubbed parodies of Scottish politician Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings during the pandemic, with most of them ending with the catchphrase "Frank, get the door".

Godley said Frank was based on a man who read "cowboy books" in the pub she used to work in, and the phrase was also the title of her 2020 book.

Janey Godley and Nicola Sturgeon

Ms Sturgeon paid tribute on Saturday, saying she had recently visited Godley in the hospice and calling her "truly a force of nature, and one of the funniest people I have ever known".

The comedian revealed she had ovarian cancer in November 2021.

Despite her diagnosis, Godley returned to touring but cancelled her 2024 autumn event dates in September.

She said she would be getting palliative care and going into a hospice in a video shared to social media on September 25.

Her management company confirmed on Saturday that she had died "surrounded by her loved ones".

The full statement from Chris Davis Management read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our client doctor Janey Godley on November 2.

Janey Godley

"Janey died peacefully in the wonderful Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow surrounded by her loved ones. She will be hugely missed by her family, friends and her many fans.

"She will be remembered for her legendary voiceovers of Nicola Sturgeon during the pandemic, her hilarious and outspoken comedy, but most of all for just being Janey."

Born in poverty in Glasgow in 1961, Godley went on to become a regular co-presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends, as well as fronting BBC Radio 4 series The C Bomb.

The comedian was photographed at Turnberry golf resort with her infamous "unwelcome" sign for Donald Trump in 2016.

In 2023, Godley became the winner of the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

The comedian was given the all-clear in 2022 but later that year announced another scan had shown signs of the disease in her abdomen.

However, she said that she would continue touring with her Not Dead Yet gigs.

In September 2024, she cancelled her autumn tour after her stage four ovarian cancer, which had been kept at bay through NHS treatment over the last few years, returned with what she said was some added complications.

In the final days, Godley shared photos of a visit from Scottish comedian and actress Elaine C Smith, and said Billy had called her from his home in Florida.

Source: Press Association