Beloved comedian Janey Godley, known for Sturgeon parodies and Trump sign, dies aged 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley has died aged 63 after receiving palliative treatment for terminal cancer, her management company has confirmed.

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

Support

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.

“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.”

Diagnosis

The comedian, who found viral fame with her dubbed parodies of Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings during the pandemic, revealed she had ovarian cancer in November 2021.

Despite her diagnosis, she 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”.

Missed

A 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 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.”

Her death was also confirmed on Godley’s X account, with a message saying “love and support” from her followers had been “a huge comfort to us”.

The post read: “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.”

Glasgow

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.

Tour

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

On X, Scottish First Minister John Swinney paid tribute, writing: “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.”