Janey Godley's daughter Ashley Storrie says mum is in 'final beats of her life'

Comedian Janey Godley is facing the "final beats of her life", according to her daughter. In an emotional update on the 63-year-old's X account, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Ashley Storrie shared that her mother had received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow, which she said had "brought her so much joy" in these last moments.

Despite being active on Twitter since announcing her end-of-life care as her terminal cancer progressed, Godley has been silent for five days leading up to her daughter's announcement. The post stated: "Thank you @UofGlasgow for bestowing upon my mum the honorary degree of doctor of the University of Glasgow."

"This has brought her so much joy in the final beats of her life. Janey is so honoured and I am so immensely proud of her. Congratulations doctor Godley." For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter

The Scottish comedian, who gained popularity with her voiceover parodies of Nicola Sturgeon's COVID-19 briefings, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November, 2021. She was declared disease-free in 2022 following a scan, but later updates revealed the cancer had returned to her abdomen. Despite this, she continued to perform.

Last month, Godley had to cancel her upcoming autumn tour due to the progression of her stage four ovarian cancer, which had previously been managed with NHS treatment but now presented additional complications.

In an emotional social media video, she announced her move to palliative care and a hospice, thanking the NHS and her supporters. Explaining the severity of her situation, she disclosed: "the chemo ran out of options" and admitted she "just couldn’t take any more of it" after her cancer worsened.

She revealed her struggle with coming to terms with her fate, expressing how hard it was to discussl, "getting to near the end of it" and how, "it’s really difficult to speak about this and say to people".

Following the announcement, she received an outpouring of support from friends and celebrities, including Nigella Lawson who responded: "Oh Janey, this is heartbreaking. Thank you for all you’ve given the world – and for being you." In addition, comedian Dom Joly offered his sentiments: "God bless you Janey – you are truly wonderful."

Godley's journey from a difficult upbringing in Glasgow in 1961 to fame includes co-hosting BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends and creating The C Bomb series. Notable among her public demonstrations was her protest against Donald Trump at Turnberry golf resort in 2016.

In 2023, she was honored with the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Janey Godley's daughter has followed in her comedic footsteps, starring and co-creating the BBC Three series Dinosaur.