S Poddar
Scottish comedian Janey Godley, whose humorous sketches became viral during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced that the end stages of care have started due to a terminal cancer diagnosis. While speaking in an emotional video on Wednesday evening, 63-year-old Janey Godley said she would be moving to the hospice as the fight with the disease was reaching its final end.
Godley earned far wider fame through her comedic dubbed versions of Nicola Sturgeon’s lockdown briefings. The clip had made her go viral and endear herself to many, but the situation that she is now in is anything but light-hearted, and she has to face a much tougher fight than she did in the comic situation.
Godley states in the video on the X (formerly Twitter) platform that she was actually diagnosed with cancer. She had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2021. For a few months, it seemed she had conquered the disease; doctors declared her cancer-free after a scan indicated “no evidence of the disease” the following year. However, sad to say that the cancer returned and that recent scans have shown its spread to her abdomen.
Still, Godley continues to play and connect with her fans. She was still touring, staying on the road as long as she could, even after the electrifying news: she didn’t know that she had cancer again when she learned that she would continue her tour as long as she could. Early this month, however, she was forced to cancel her fall schedule due to her worsening disease.
In her latest message, she said chemotherapy was no longer an option. “So I’m now in palliative care and am at end-of-life care now in the hospital. The chemo ran out of options, and I just couldn’t take any more of it, and the cancer has spread,” she said in the emotional video.
She remembered talking about the situation and reflected on how “it looks like this will get to near the end of it and it’s really difficult to speak of this and say to people.”
In the video, Godley also took time to say thanks. She said she thanks the NHS not only for their care but also thanks many charities, friends, and her thousands of fans who have supported her in her long cancer journey. “A special thank you to my daughter Ashley and my husband for standing by me during the dark moments,” Godley’s message reads.
Acknowledging the grim reality of her diagnosis, Godley reflected: “It is devastating news to know that I’m facing end-of-life but we all come to an end sometime.” Her words were raw and heartfelt as she voiced a mix of sorrow, acceptance, and love.
Despite the gravity of her illness, Godley still had warmth and humor as she spoke on the uncertainty over how much more time is left. “The overwhelming support has been amazing, and I don’t know how long I’ve got left before anybody asks. I’m not a TikTok,” she quipped, injecting levity amidst all the sadness.
The comedian has moved many to tears by her strength of spirit. She humbly shared her gratitude with all those who have shared love and support in these difficult times, some of which, she said in part, “Cancer affects two in one people-appearing to mean one in two-and it’s affected me.”.
And so, Godley concluded her speech. Toward the end, she confessed her last desire: to spend Christmas with family. She was clueless about the future, but towards the end, one could see hope and gratitude amidst this: “I wish everybody a lovely Christmas and I hope to be here for it, but I’m not certain.”
Her declaration has unleashed love and well-wishes from fans and supporters, who have keenly followed every step of her way.
The bravery of Janey Godley in front of terminal illness is inspiring. While it is heartbreaking to note her situation, her openness and humor even at the hardest times continue resonating with many. She’s long been famous for the guffaws she provoked, but over these last few months, for everything else, she has shown an immense ability for bravery and for grace. When she departs for what is essentially a battle against cancer, it would be hardly less than ironic if her final act proved to be as perfect as any she has ever enacted on stage.
