Scottish comedian Janie Godley has died a month after moving into a nursing home, her agent said.
The 63-year-old, who found viral fame by imitating Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings during the pandemic, announced last month that she was receiving end-of-life care for her terminal cancer.
Her agent said on Saturday: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our client, Dr. Janie Godley, on November 2.”
“Janie passed away peacefully at the wonderful Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow surrounded by her loved ones. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and many fans.
“She will be remembered for her legendary voice for Nicola Sturgeon during the pandemic, her funny and honest comedy, but most of all for just being a ‘jannie’.”
Image: Pic: BAFTA/PA
“We’ve had it longer because of all the support.”
Her daughter, comedian Ashley Story, announced the news on social media, writing: “We gave her more time because of all the support and love in the world.”
“I think in my heart she felt every bit of the love I sent her. I think that kept her going,” she said in a short video clip.
“I really think we had it longer because of all the support and love in the world. But that’s over now. So, thank you again and bye.”
Ms Sturgeon, the former First Minister, wrote on X: “Janie Godley was truly a force of nature, and one of the funniest people I have ever known.
“I was able to visit her in the hospice a few weeks ago, and although she was fragile, she still had stitches.”
She added: “A bond was formed between us in the darkest days of coronavirus when her famous voiceovers exploded into my daily briefings. In the toughest times, she made people laugh – and that was precious.”
I did more than that (sic) though. By managing to deliver the serious public health messages in my briefings to a much wider audience than I would have been able to on my own, I helped save lives.
Picture: Godley and Nicola Sturgeon pictured in 2023. Pic: PA
In his tribute, Scottish First Minister John Swinney wrote on X: “Very sorry to hear of the death of Janie Godley.
“She brought joy and laughter on many occasions when we needed her most. My condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.”
Other stars to be honored include comedian Dom Joly, former Commonard member and broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles, and TV chef Nigella Lawson.
That infamous Trump sign
In September, Godley canceled her fall tour titled Why Are You Still Here? Because she had stage 4 ovarian cancer, which she had been treated for the past few years, but it came back with additional complications.
At the time, Godley said it was “devastating” to face the end of her life, adding, “But we all reach the end at some point.”
She also joked, “I don’t know how much time I have left before someone asks me. I’m not a TikTok user.”
In 2016, Godley shot to fame after protesting at Donald Trump’s Turnberry Golf Resort with the infamous “Not Welcome” sign (Godley’s sign used slightly spicier language).
She then continued to attract attention during coronavirus times, voicing videos of Ms Sturgeon’s health briefings and becoming friends with the former First Minister.
Image: Pic: PA
Overcoming adversity
Born poor in the East End of Glasgow in 1961 to alcoholic parents, Godley left school at 16 with no qualifications.
She revealed that she and her sister were abused by her uncle when she was a child, for which she served a two-year prison sentence.
After 15 years of running a pub with her husband during the 1980s and 1990s, she began her career in stand-up comedy in 1994, co-presenting BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends, as well as appearing in the BBC’s The C Bomb series. C4.
She has also appeared in programs including Have I Got News for You, Scottish soap River City, and crime drama Traces.
Photo: Godley with her daughter, comedian Ashley Story. Pic: PA
Godley wrote her first novel in 2022, a murder mystery called Nothing Unsaid set in 1970s Glasgow. It was warmly received by celebrity fans, including Nigella Lawson, who said it was so good, she read it in two sittings.
Never one to shy away from joking about the darker side of life, in 2023, she won the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
Godley received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow a few days before her death.
Godley was a fierce supporter of Scottish independence, and was also a strong advocate for transgender rights. She continued to campaign on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community until her death.
She leaves behind her husband of 44 years, Sean Storey, and her daughter.
