Janey Godley has been hailed as “a true force of nature” after her manager confirmed the comedian had sadly passed away. The 63-year-old has spent the last few weeks in a hospice and it was announced on Saturday morning she had sadly died surrounded by her loved ones.
Janey had faced a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer since 2021 before she made the devastating announcement the disease had spread. On Saturday morning Janey’s manager Chris Davis revealed the comedian had passed away at Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow.
Janey has been remembered for making the nation laugh during one of the toughest times after she when viral during the coronavirus pandemic for her Nicola Sturgeon voice overs.
Janey and the former First Minister even went on to collaborate on a sketch in aide of the STV Children’s Appeal. Following the news of her passing Sturgeon paid tribute to “her friend” in a heartfelt post on social media.
Sturgeon said: “Knowing for the past few weeks that this moment was fast approaching didn’t make it any less heartbreaking to hear the news early this morning that Janey had died. Janey Godley truly was a force of nature, and one of the funniest people I have ever known.
“I was able to visit her in the hospice a couple of weeks ago and though she was fragile, she still had me in stitches. Janey was also incredibly kind. And she made the world a better place. A bond was forged between us in the darkest days of Covid when her famous voiceovers of my daily briefings went viral. In the toughest of times, she made people laugh – and that was precious.
“She did more that that though. In managing to project the serious public health messages of my briefings to a much wider audience than I would have managed alone, she helped save lives. The photos on this post are from an event we did together last year – it was a special night. I was so proud to call Janey a friend and will miss her hugely.
“My heart goes out to her family and many friends – they are in my thoughts today. I know Frank will have been there, holding the door for her as she went – with a tear in his eye, as I have in mine. RIP my friend.”
Meanwhile current First Minister John Swinney said: “Very sorry to hear of the death of Janey Godley. She brought joy and laughter on many occasions when we needed it most. My condolences to her family. May she Rest in Peace.”
Glasgow Green MSP Patrick Harvey said: “Heartbreaking. Such joy she shared, what an extraordinary life.”
Tributes from a number of celebrities flooded in following the devastating news. Comedian Dara Ó Briain said: “Ah, poor Janey Godley. She was a force of nature, she lived the hell out of life, and she will be sorely missed. Love to her family and friends.”
Denise Welsh said: “Your mum was a one off Ashley. Love to you and your lovely family xx” Actor Simon Pegg said: “Go easy Janey.”
Godley revealed in September she had been receiving palliative care in a hospice. In November 2021, Janey first announced she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after doctors found a tumour on her ovary following a period of suffering stomach and back pains, a bloated tummy, loss of appetite, and frequent urination.
After undergoing a hysterectomy, she also underwent chemotherapy, and during that time she shared a poignant image of her husband shaving off her long curly locks before ‘chemo took it from her’. After successfully finishing the treatment, Janey was given the all-clear but then she tragically faced a setback when further scans indicated the return of the disease within her abdomen.
In a statement, her manager Davis said on Saturday: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our client Doctor Janey Godley on 2nd November.
“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’.”
Janey is survived by her husband Sean and her daughter Ashley.
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