Janey Godley is in the ‘last steps of her life’, the comedian’s daughter confirms

On By Littum

Comedian Janey Godley is on the “last beats of her life”, her daughter has said.

The Scottish comedian confirmed in September that she had been moved to a hospice and was now receiving end-of-life treatment after her terminal cancer had spread and caused further complications.

The 63-year-old was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, forcing her to cancel a planned UK tour while she received treatment.

Now, in a post on the 63-year-old’s X/Twitter account, her daughter, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Ashley Storrie, revealed that Godley had been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow.

Storrie said the honor had brought her mother “so much joy” in her final days.

The post read: “Thank you @UofGlasgow for giving my mum an honorary doctorate at the University of Glasgow.

“This has brought her so much joy in the last beats of her life. Janey is so honored and I am so immensely proud of her. Congratulations Dr. Godley.”

The post was flooded with support, with many expressing their love for Godley. Journalist Owen Jones wrote: “She is an incredible woman who has made us laugh and think, full of so much courage and moral clarity. She is so loved.”

TV chef Nigella Lawson said: “This is heartbreakingly beautiful. All the love to you.”

The University of Glasgow also shared the post, writing: “It’s an honor to award an honorary doctorate to the incredible Dr. Godley. We send all our love and support from UofG to Janey and her family.”

Godley has posted on X regularly since announcing she was receiving end-of-life care after her terminal cancer spread, but appears not to have tweeted for five days before her daughter’s post.

The Scottish comedian, who found fame with his dubbed parodies of Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings during the pandemic, had been given the all-clear in 2022 after a scan showed “no signs of illness”.

However, she later announced that a second scan had shown signs of the disease in her abdomen, but added that she would continue to tour.

Godley announced she would be receiving palliative care and entering a hospice in a video shared on social media, thanking the NHS and those who have cared for her, as well as her family, friends and fans for their support .

In the video, she said that “chemo ran out of options” and that she “just couldn’t take it anymore” after the cancer spread.

She went on to say that she is “getting to the end of it” and that “it’s really hard to talk about this and tell people”.

Following her announcement, friends and celebrities responded to Godley’s post supporting her, including Nigella Lawson, comedian Dom Joly and former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

In a response, Lawson said: “Oh Janey, it’s heartbreaking. Thank you for everything you’ve given the world – and for being you.”

Joly said: “God bless you Janey – you are truly wonderful.”

Janey Godley confirms she is receiving end-of-life treatment as cancer spreads
Janey Godley confirms she is receiving end-of-life treatment as cancer spreads (Janey Godley)

Born into poverty in Glasgow in 1961, Godley became a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Endsas well as fronting the BBC Radio 4 series The C-bomb.

The comedian was photographed at Turnberry golf resort with his ‘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.

Her daughter has also worked as a stand-up comedian and stars in the BBC Three TV series Dinosaurwhich she also helped to create.

Additional reporting from PA.