Janey Godley

Early Life: A Childhood of Shadows and Defiance

Janey Godley doesn’t mince words. She never has. Whether she’s tearing into politicians with biting satire, speaking out against abuse, or bringing down the house with her uniquely Glaswegian humor, her voice is raw, fearless, and unmistakably her own. From a troubled upbringing in the East End of Glasgow to becoming one of Scotland’s most beloved and controversial comedians, Janey Godley’s story is a lesson in resilience—proving that laughter, no matter how dark, can be a powerful act of survival.

Born Janet Godley Mitchell on January 20, 1961, in the working-class neighborhood of Shettleston, Glasgow, Janey grew up in an environment riddled with poverty, violence, and addiction. Her early years were far from easy—marked by instability and deep personal trauma. Her mother, Annie Currie, died under suspicious circumstances when Janey was just 21. The case was never properly investigated, and it remained a source of heartbreak and frustration for years.

But even in the midst of darkness, young Janey had a razor-sharp wit and a natural ability to find the absurd in the tragic. Humor became her armor—and eventually, her weapon.

Fun Fact: Janey grew up above a pub and later ran one herself with her husband, learning firsthand how to work a tough crowd—long before stepping onto a comedy stage.

Education: Lessons from the Real World

Godley left school at 16 with few qualifications but a wealth of real-world experience. She didn’t follow a traditional academic path—instead, she was educated by life itself: by loss, survival, and the daily theatre of Glasgow streets.

She held a variety of jobs—cleaner, barmaid, pub owner—before she ever considered comedy. Her sharp tongue and ability to disarm tense situations with humor became her calling card long before she ever held a microphone.

Career Journey

Phase One: Late Start, Loud Entrance

Janey didn’t start her comedy career until she was in her thirties—a late age by industry standards. But when she did, she made a thunderous impression. Her early stand-up acts drew on her life: the abuse she suffered, the Glasgow dialect, her rough upbringing, and her no-holds-barred opinions.

In an industry that often favors polished personas, Janey stood out for being unapologetically real. She quickly rose through the UK comedy circuit, winning fans and ruffling feathers in equal measure.

Trivia: Janey has Asperger’s Syndrome, which she revealed later in life. She credits it with sharpening her observational skills and her ability to see through social pretenses.

Phase Two: Fringe Fame and Viral Stardom

Her autobiographical 2005 memoir, Handstands in the Dark, became a Sunday Times bestseller and peeled back the layers behind the stand-up—revealing a harrowing yet often hilarious life story of abuse, trauma, and ultimately, self-reinvention. The book became a staple of Scottish literature, praised for its brutal honesty.

In the 2010s, Janey reinvented herself once again—this time as a Twitter force and satirical voice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her voice-over parodies of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s briefings went viral, earning her a new generation of fans and cementing her as a national treasure (and a thorn in the side of some politicians).

She combined profanity with pathos, turning public health briefings into laugh-out-loud commentary that also delivered hard truths.

Phase Three: Illness, Advocacy, and Unshaken Spirit

In late 2021, Janey was diagnosed with ovarian cancer—a battle she has faced with the same blunt candor she brings to her comedy. She continued to post updates, tour when able, and share her journey publicly, often turning even her treatment into moments of comedy and reflection.

Her 2023 comeback tour, “Not Dead Yet,” was a triumphant return to the stage—an act of defiance in the face of mortality.

Personal Life: Unvarnished and Unapologetic

Janey has been married to husband Sean for over 40 years, and their relationship—built on mutual resilience—has weathered storms few couples could imagine. Their daughter, Ashley Storrie, has followed in her footsteps as a successful comedian and actor, further proving that the Godley gene carries punchlines.

A fierce feminist and vocal political activist, Janey has never shied away from speaking up—whether it's against domestic abuse, political hypocrisy, or social inequality.

Legacy: The Voice That Refused to Stay Silent

Janey Godley’s legacy is one of truth-telling through laughter. She has transformed her trauma into storytelling, her rage into righteous comedy, and her working-class background into a badge of honor. She didn’t just break into the comedy world—she kicked the door open and demanded a seat at the table.

She has become a symbol of working-class Scottish defiance: honest, hilarious, angry when necessary, and always speaking for those who feel unheard.

Janey Godley isn’t just a comedian—she’s a survivor, a truth-teller, and a beacon of unfiltered humanity. Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to raise your voice—and that sometimes, the rawest laughs come from the deepest wounds.