'I don't know how long I've got left – I'm not a TikTok'

Janey Godley has announced that she has gone into end-of-life palliative care, saying:  ‘I don’t know how long I’ve got left.’

The 63-year-old comic – who was first diagnosed with cancer almost three years ago –  broke the news in a video in social media recorded from her hospital bed.

It comes days after she cancelled her tour after doctors told her to stop working amid a brutal round of chemo that she said was ‘really kicking me’.

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.

In the video, she said: ‘I'm now in palliative care and I'm at end-of-life care now in the hospital. 

I’m now at end of life care - palliative care-and will be going into a hospice for the foreseeable - thanks to everyone who sends me love and support- you’ve been amazing pic.twitter.com/6JZ6cwTFk2

— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) September 25, 2024

‘The chemo ran out of options and I just couldn't take any more of it. And the cancer has spread. So it looks like this will be getting to near the end of it. And it's really difficult to speak about this and say it to people.

‘But again, I want to thank the NHS, the Scottish NHS, the Beatson [West of Scotland Cancer Centre] and the Marie Curie, the Royal Infirmary, everybody from the doctors, the nurses, the phlebotomist, the secretaries, the cleaners, the people who wipe my room down, the surgeons right down to the wee woman that holds my hand and makes my tea.

‘It is devastating news to know that I’m facing end of life. But we all come to an end sometime. I want to thank everybody for supporting my family, especially [daughter] Ashley and my husband. The overwhelming support has been amazing.

‘I don't know how long I've got left before anybody asks, I'm not a TikTok. So I just want you to know that I appreciate all the love you've gave me and all  the support. Cancer affects one in two people. and it's affected me. 

‘So I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Hopefully I might be here. Who knows? Don't know. I’m not a TikTok. 

‘But I just want you to know that I'm sending all my love and support to everybody else out there who is living with a life limiting disease.

‘Thanks everybody for all your love and know that I really, really appreciate the outpouring of love and support that you've given me. And even the ones that hate me, thanks for giving me your engagement.’

She went on to thank her agent, Chris Davis, in London.

Among those reacting to the news was former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who posted: 'Sending you so much love, my friend. You are an inspiration.'

Godley became known for revoicing Sturgeon's daily Covid briefings during lockdowns. It led to the comedian becoming the voice of a public health campaign, but her involvement with the Scottish government led to critics delving into her Twitter past an unearthing messages Godley acknowledged used 'offensive, hurtful language', for which she apologised.

Others paying tribute today include chef Nigella Lawson, who posted: ‘Oh Janey, this is heartbreaking. Thank you for all you’ve given the world – and for being you.’

Fellow comics also piled in with their support. Richard Herring said: ‘You are the most amazing person and I feel very lucky to know you’; Paul Sinha wrote: ‘So much love from me and the mister’ and Dom Joly said: 'God bless you Janey - you are truly wonderful.'

Stuart Goldsmith urged: 'Please love-bomb wonderful Janey, who's taken some of the toughest circumstances imaginable and turned them into pure joy and laughter her whole career.'

In her message cancelling her tour last week, Godley said: ‘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.’

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.

Published: 25 Sep 2024