'Being a comedian is the only thing that keeps me alive' she says in heartbreaking video

Janey Godley has cancelled her forthcoming stand-up tour in a heartbreaking announcement sharing her fears that she might never work again.

The comedian, who first revealed she had ovarian cancer in 2021, is undergoing a new round of chemotherapy which she says is ‘really kicking me’. 

And she explained that doctors had given her the devastating news that she cannot work for the foreseeable future, saying: ‘I want everybody to know how hard it is for me to be able to accept that I can't work. Because working to me is life, and being a comedian is the only thing that makes me feel alive.’

Holding back her emotions in a sombre video announcing that she was stepping back, 63-year-old Godley said: ’At the beginning of the year, I was on immunotherapy and I felt great on it and I managed to do two tours on it. 

‘But then as the summer advanced, the chemotherapy had to be introduced because my tumour markers started to go up and the cancer metastasised, which basically means it's spread into my liver, my kidney wee bits and my lungs and some on my lymph nodes, which meant that I had to go on to chemotherapy. 

‘That chemotherapy didn't work. I'm now onto another chemotherapy just now and it's really kicking me. Because of that, it means that I can't do the tour now

‘I want everybody to know how hard it is for me to be able to accept that I can't work. Because working to me is life, and being a comedian is the only thing that makes me feel alive.

'It is really difficult to admit, and especially for me that I can't do this. My doctors have advised me not to work any more, and that's been possibly the hardest news in this whole cancer journey. 

‘I'm sending love and solidarity to everybody out there who is living with cancer... basically all we're doing is just putting sandbags up to hold the water back. 

‘So yeah the tour has to be cancelled and I'm really upset about that because we've sold so many tickets. 

‘I'm really sorry about the inconvenience of this, but I need you to know that I thank you for all your support and love that you've gave me through it this whole time in the hardest three years in my life, 

‘I'm going to still keep doing the chemotherapy. I'm going to see if I can hold back the tide, and I'm going to watch those cancer markers. 

‘And I'm going to thank you for your blessings and your love. I can't believe I’m not to work again. It's really difficult, but thanks everybody.’

She also thanked the Scottish NHS, the Marie Curie charity and Macmillan Cancer Support for helping her through her treatment.

Godley first announced her ovarian cancer diagnosis in November 2021. She had a full hysterectomy the following January and announced six months later that she was cancer-free. However, in December 2022, she announced that her cancer had returned and that she would need further chemotherapy.

A former pub landlady in the East End of Glasgow, Godley started her stand-up career in 1994, drawing on her difficult family background. Her parents were alcoholics, and she and her sister were sexually abused by their maternal uncle. 

In 1982, when Godley was 21, her mother drowned in the River Clyde, with the comedian believing she was murdered by her violent boyfriend, although he was never charged.

She wrote about that background in her 2005 memoir Handstands In The Dark, while another autobiography released earlier this year – Janey: The Woman That Won't Shut Up – covered her more recent life and cancer diagnosis. It was released at the same time as a documentary, also called simply Janey, following her on her last tour.

Godley was due to kick off her new run of dates, with a show entitled Why Is She Still Here?,  in Haddington, East Lothian, on October 11. It would have culminated in a big hometown gig at Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo in November.

In a statement today her promoters said: ‘Janey has been living with stage 4 ovarian cancer for the past few years and the treatment from the wonderful Scottish NHS has kept the disease at bay, but sadly in the last few weeks the cancer has returned and there have been a few added complications. Her doctors have now advised her that she must stop work for the foreseeable future.

 ‘Janey is devastated to let down her thousands of loyal fans, and the wonderful venues, she has played many times over the years. She would like to thank everyone for their love and support at this difficult time.’

In a follow-up video posted on X today, Godley revealed she was in hospital being treated for sepsis, which is under control, and apologised again to fans for the inconvenience.

NEWS
I have to cancel my upcoming tour, I’m sorry but the cancer has spread and the Beatson cancer team have advised me to stop work. I am currently in hospital with sepsis ( it’s under control) pls contact your theatre for a refund - I’m sorry everyone ????watch please pic.twitter.com/vMPSqwfl6b

— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) September 18, 2024

Published: 18 Sep 2024