Janey Godley, who passed away at the age of 63, transformed a life marked by hardship and sorrow into a flourishing career in comedy. Her challenging childhood in Glasgow’s east end deeply influenced her humor, which often drew laughs from unexpected and raw topics. Her comedic style was emblematic of her upbringing—working-class, unapologetically blunt, and infused with both anger and sentimentality. Godley delivered her routines with rapid-fire intensity, akin to a street fighter delivering precise punches.

To her audience, she was relatable; as her reputation expanded, so did her impact. A former pub landlady, she gained notoriety when her satirical videos overlaying Nicola Sturgeon’s Covid briefings went viral, leading to a friendship with the former First Minister. Born Jane Godley Currie on January 20, 1961, she was the youngest of four siblings in a troubled household plagued by alcohol addiction. Tragically, she experienced sexual abuse during childhood at the hands of an uncle. In 1996, after three decades of silence, she and her sister publicly confronted their abuser, resulting in his conviction.

Godley faced further tragedy when her mother was found dead in the River Clyde in 1982. Convinced that her mother had been murdered by an abusive partner, Godley sought justice that never materialized as no charges were filed against him. By this time, she had married and was managing a pub with her husband while raising their daughter Ashley Storrie, who would also pursue a career in comedy.

Her comedic material often included anecdotes about her in-laws' criminal ties. A family dispute led to them leaving the pub and facing homelessness, prompting Godley to take comedy more seriously after dabbling in open-mic nights. She quickly established herself on the comedy circuit thanks to years spent perfecting her delivery behind the bar.

Godley’s performances tackled difficult subjects—she once shared that even fellow comedians discouraged her from discussing personal trauma but emphasized how liberating it felt to do so. As she gained prominence, she authored a memoir and novel while making appearances on various panel shows alongside notable figures like Billy Connolly.

Two significant events thrust her into the public eye: a protest against Donald Trump at Turnberry in 2016 that went viral and her humorous Covid briefing videos portraying Sturgeon as candid yet exasperated. An advocate for Scottish independence, she faced controversy when past social media comments resurfaced in 2021.

In late 2021, Godley revealed her ovarian cancer diagnosis and documented her journey through treatment while continuing to perform. Despite setbacks—including an announcement in December 2022 about cancer recurrence—she remained active in media projects until the end of her life. Her legacy includes contributions to well-known BBC programs and winning the Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award shortly before she passed away surrounded by loved ones.