Not Dead Yet covers her comedy career and cancer diagnosis

Janey Godley is publishing her second autobiography this summer, about her comedy career and dealing with cancer.

Not Dead Yet  – which shares its name with her latest stand-up tour, –will be published in early August.

It comes after Janey, the documentary film following her on tour and receiving cancer treatment, screens in Scottish cinemas next month.

Godley's first autobiography, Handstands In The Dark, was published in 2005 and covered her upbringing in the East End of Glasgow, the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle, her mother's murder and her marriage into a gangster family.

The follow-up has more focus on her career in comedy, which began in the mid-Nineties.

The description from publishers Hodder & Stoughton reads: ‘Not Dead Yet is the story of how a mouthy female comedian finally overcame the prejudices that stopped her getting gigs to earn her place in the male-dominated comedy establishment.

‘Making her breakthroughs in London, where she had her own comedy club, and New Zealand, Janey took on another brave fight when she brought a case - and won - against the uncle who'd abused her as a child. 

‘At the height of her popularity, with a soaring online following through her hilarious political voice-overs, Janey was also the victim of much trolling. Some old tweets were unearthed which might have seen her cancelled. Her spirit was nearly broken, but her fanbase stayed strong.

‘At the end of the long sell-out UK tour which followed in 2021 she was given the news she had ovarian cancer. Here she faces her fears head on and shares the very difficult journey she's on.

‘This extraordinary memoir celebrates everything Janey defiantly and hilariously is - against the odds - and confirms why she is so loved.’

Not Dead Yet can be ordered here, priced £18.79.

Published: 11 Feb 2024