Comedian Who Found Fame During Covid Pandemic Dies at 63

Janey Godley, who passed away at 63, turned an extraordinary life of hardship and pain into a remarkable career that forever shaped Scottish comedy. Known for her quick wit, no-nonsense humor, and audacious spirit, Godley drew from the grit and drama of her early years in Glasgow’s east end, crafting jokes that made even the darkest moments laughable.

Her humor was brash, unapologetically working-class, and often tinged with anger—a blend that mirrored the city that raised her. Godley’s fans saw her as one of them, a truth-teller unafraid to jab at taboos with street-fighter intensity.

Born Jane Godley Currie in 1961 in Glasgow’s Shettleston area, her life was marked by hardship from the start. The youngest of four children in a household marred by poverty and addiction, she experienced violence and abuse early on. Her parents both struggled with alcoholism, and the chaos that ensued became the foundation of her comedy. Her talent for finding humor in despair began with these early traumas, setting her apart in the comedy world.

In her 30s, Godley and her sister bravely went public with allegations against her abusive uncle, David Percy. Speaking about their decision, she said, “We waited 30 years but we did it, and we did it together. Anyone who has been abused knows you cannot shake off the guilt. But the guilty one was Percy.” In 1996, their testimony led to his conviction.

Tragedy struck again in 1982 when her mother, Annie, was found dead in the River Clyde under suspicious circumstances. Godley believed her mother had been murdered by her violent boyfriend, but no charges were filed despite the family’s insistence. Haunted by these experiences, she channeled the grief and anger into her comedy, creating a raw, powerful narrative style that attracted audiences across the UK.

After her marriage and a stint as a pub landlady, Godley took to comedy in her mid-30s. Her tough-talking, unsparing humor featured characters inspired by her in-laws’ criminal ties and the Glasgow underworld. Her reputation grew rapidly.

In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she explained the impact of her unique style, saying, “I spoke about my ma being murdered, child abuse, gangsters. Back then, even comics were saying, ‘You shouldn’t talk about that.’ But I’m so glad I did. The amount of people that came up to me and said, ‘I was abused and I’ve never laughed before.’”

Godley’s fame expanded with her 2016 protest against then-President Trump at his Turnberry golf resort, where she held a bluntly offensive sign that quickly went viral. But it was her satirical videos during the COVID lockdowns that propelled her to international fame.

In these, she voiced over Nicola Sturgeon’s pandemic briefings, portraying the first minister as a candid, exasperated figure, frustrated by media questioning and the weight of leadership. Her videos struck a nerve, with even Sturgeon herself praising Godley’s humor, though their relationship would later be tested.

An ardent supporter of Scottish independence, Godley publicly supported SNP leaders like Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. But in 2021, controversial tweets from a decade prior resurfaced, prompting her to apologize. She acknowledged the “terrible, horrific undertones” of her past comments and was subsequently dropped from a Scottish government health campaign.

In late 2021, Godley revealed she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a struggle she shared openly with fans through social media and a BBC radio program. After a brief remission, she announced in December 2022 that her cancer had returned, but true to her spirit, she continued working.

Even in her final months, she took the stage for her 2023 “Janey” tour and won the Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award. Connolly, an icon of Scottish comedy, praised her life and legacy, saying, “She’s a great girl, a great comedian, and an extraordinary life story.” Holding her award, Godley quipped, “This is going to be my tombstone.”

Janey Godley leaves behind a legacy of resilience and laughter, with a body of work that pushed boundaries and redefined Scottish comedy. Her unflinching look at life’s ugliest truths—delivered with razor-sharp humor—continues to resonate far beyond her hometown of Glasgow.