Janey Godley is known for her witty humour, standing up for the rights of others and her voiceovers of politicians, which went viral during lockdown. But away from comedy she has recently had to share the sad news that she is having palliative care and would go into a hospice after “the chemo ran out of options” with the cancer now spreading.
Having been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, it wasn’t long before people flooded to the comments of her latest update to wish the much-adored comedian well, sending her love, strength and positivity to someone who is an inspiration to many, including Scotland’s former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon among other politicians, comedians and actors who all stuck up the finger to cancer.
The Glasgow comedian cancelled her Why Is She Still Here? tour last month after confirming her cancer has spread having been advised by doctors not to work again. Having been presented with the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award last year, she said that comedy helps her deal with her diagnosis sharing with Glasgow Live last year that “comedy has definitely helped me deal with” cancer.
“If love could cure me, I’d be saved”, she added when talking about the support people have shown her. Admitting “it’s difficult to speak about” in her latest video shared to X, formerly Twitter, she (as always) thanked the NHS and those around her from the cleaners to the nurses and all their hard work.
In a recent interview with The Times, the 63-year-old said that the “worst part” of being diagnosed was having to tell her daughter, Ashley Storrie, saying that giving her the news was like “throwing a hand grenade”. With Janey’s treatment options now at an end, “it looks like this will be getting to near the end of it” she said. Sadly adding that whilst she knows we all die eventually, it’s “devastating news to know that I’m facing end-of-life”.
Proud of her daughter, who is also a comedian and actress, with a successful sitcom on BBC called Dinosaur, she says that when she does die, she will miss not being able to see her, saying that she is proud of her and is her biggest success.
In recent days, the proud mum was seen on a video call to her daughter with Ashley announcing that her comedy-drama, which explores the reality of living with autism, has been nominated for a record number of BAFTA Scotland awards ahead of next month’s ceremony. “She was the first person I spoke to” Ashley wrote on Instagram, joking that her mum was going to kill her for “how unflattering” the image is.
You can watch Dinosaur on BBC iPlayer here. You can also watch Janey, also on BBC iPlayer here. You can also read the full interview with Glasgow Live here and The Times here.