Janey Godley

Janey Godley, born Jane Godley Currie on January 20, 1961, in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, was a multifaceted Scottish talent. Jane Campion was recognized as a stand-up comedian, an actress, a writer, and a political activist. Her early life was marked by challenges; she left school at 16 without qualifications and her parents, Annie and Jim Currie, faced struggles with alcoholism and addiction. The loss of her mother, Annie, in 1982 under circumstances she believed involved murder, profoundly impacted her. Before finding prominence in comedy, Janey ran a public house, the Weavers Inn, in Glasgow with her husband for fifteen years, starting in 1980 and remaining married to Sean Storrie until her death.

Godley launched her stand-up comedy career in 1994. She officially changed her name to Janey Godley in 1995. Her career brought numerous accolades, such as the 'Best Show Concept' award from the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in 2002, and the 'Spirit of the Festival' award in 2006. She documented aspects of her life in her autobiography, Handstands in the Dark , published in 2005. Her acting credits included appearances in television shows like River City , Have I Got News for You , and Traces , as well as a role in the film Wild Rose .

In 2020, Janey Godley created a series of short films called Alone . She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and lived with stage 4 ovarian cancer for several years. Her declining health led to the cancellation of her Autumn 2024 tour, a decision she expressed as heartbreaking. Despite being currently hospitalized and very unwell, she expressed gratitude for the support of fans and venue partners, cherishing the memories of performing at various venues throughout her career. She is survived by her daughter, Ashley Storrie, who also works in comedy and radio. Janey Godley died on November 2, 2024, leaving behind thousands of loyal fans.