Friday, November 29, 2024

Janey’s ‘final tour’: Mourners pack out Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to bid farewell to comedian Jane Godley after her death aged 63

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Mourners lined the cobbled streets of Edinburgh‘s Royal Mile today to bid farewell to Janey Godley after her death aged 63. 

The Scottish comedian passed away on November 2 ‘surrounded by her loved ones’, her management company confirmed earlier this month. 

Godley found viral fame with her dubbed pastiches of Nicola Sturgeon‘s coronavirus news briefings as well as other comic voiceovers during the pandemic. 

She was treated in hospital for sepsis earlier this year before learning her ovarian cancer had returned, having first been diagnosed in 2021. 

Today grieving fans packed out the Royal Mile as the star’s hearse travelled through Edinburgh on its way to her funeral service, which will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow tomorrow. 

Fans looked sorrowful as they said their final goodbyes to the entertainer, while others celebrated her life by wearing T-shirts referencing her comedic work. 

In a post on social media, Godley’s daughter Ashley Storrie explained her mother’s hearse would pass through Edinburgh – her ‘beloved Festival home’ – today before travelling ‘home to Glasgow’.  

In a statement following her passing, Chris Davis Management said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our client doctor Janey Godley on November 2.

People line the streets as Scottish comedian Janey Godley’s hearse travels through Edinburgh on its way to her funeral service in Glasgow 

Godley's hearse travels through Edinburgh surrounded by grieving fans, friends and family

Godley’s hearse travels through Edinburgh surrounded by grieving fans, friends and family 

Ashley Storrie, daughter of Scottish comedian Janey Godley, watches as the hearse carrying her mother travels through Edinburgh

Ashley Storrie, daughter of Scottish comedian Janey Godley, watches as the hearse carrying her mother travels through Edinburgh

Janey Godley (pictured) passed away on November 2 following a battle with ovarian cancer

Janey Godley (pictured) passed away on November 2 following a battle with ovarian cancer 

‘Janey died peacefully in the wonderful Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow surrounded by her loved ones. She will be hugely missed by her family, friends and her many fans.

‘She will be remembered for her legendary voiceovers of Nicola Sturgeon during the pandemic, her hilarious and outspoken comedy, but most of all for just being Janey.’

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, her daughter Ashley shared a heartfelt video telling fans of her mother’s death. 

‘My mum Janey Godley died this morning at about 7. She was with friends and family and I wanted to tell you face to face because it felt very much what she would have wanted,’ she said. 

‘She went peacefully and I want to say a big thank you to all the staff at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and a big thank you to mum’s found family who were around her through these last horrible days.

‘I want to thank all of you for your kindness and your support. I believe in my heart of hearts that she felt every bit of love you sent to her. I think it kept her going. We got her longer because of all the support and love.’ She ended the video with a tearful sign off of ‘bye ma’.

Godley's daughter Ashley grieves as the hearse carrying her mother travels through Edinburgh

Godley’s daughter Ashley grieves as the hearse carrying her mother travels through Edinburgh

People wearing T-shirts featuring the catch-phrase 'Frank Get The Door!' line the streets today

People wearing T-shirts featuring the catch-phrase ‘Frank Get The Door!’ line the streets today 

Comedian Godley's hearse was adorned with photos and flowers

Comedian Godley’s hearse was adorned with photos and flowers 

The streets of Edinburgh were packed as mourners paid their respects to the star

The streets of Edinburgh were packed as mourners paid their respects to the star 

In a post on social media, Godley's daughter Ashley said her mother's hearse would travel through Edinburgh - her 'beloved Festival home' - today before travelling 'home to Glasgow'

In a post on social media, Godley’s daughter Ashley said her mother’s hearse would travel through Edinburgh – her ‘beloved Festival home’ – today before travelling ‘home to Glasgow’ 

Members of the public follow the hearse carrying Godley as it makes it's way down Cockburn Street

Members of the public follow the hearse carrying Godley as it makes it’s way down Cockburn Street

Mourners walk behind the hearse carrying the comedian as it drives down Cockburn Street

Mourners walk behind the hearse carrying the comedian as it drives down Cockburn Street

Godley found viral fame with her dubbed pastiches of Nicola Sturgeon's coronavirus news briefings as well as other comic voiceovers during the pandemic

Godley found viral fame with her dubbed pastiches of Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings as well as other comic voiceovers during the pandemic 

People line the streets as comedian Godley's hearse travels through the Scottish city

People line the streets as comedian Godley’s hearse travels through the Scottish city

People look visibly emotional as Godley's hearse passes through Edinburgh ahead of her funeral

People look visibly emotional as Godley’s hearse passes through Edinburgh ahead of her funeral 

The hearse was adorned with beautiful flowers and photos as it drove through Edinburgh

The hearse was adorned with beautiful flowers and photos as it drove through Edinburgh 

People celebrating the life of Godley as her hearse travelled through Edinburgh today

People celebrating the life of Godley as her hearse travelled through Edinburgh today 

The funeral of the Scottish comedian will take place on November 30 as part of a two-day 'final tour' of the cities she loved

The funeral of the Scottish comedian will take place on November 30 as part of a two-day ‘final tour’ of the cities she loved

Grieving fans, friends and relatives clap as Godley's hearse passes through Edinburgh

Grieving fans, friends and relatives clap as Godley’s hearse passes through Edinburgh 

Godley, who found viral fame with her dubbed pastiches of Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings as well as other comic voiceovers during the pandemic, revealed she had ovarian cancer in November 2021.

In 2022 the comedian was given the all-clear and said in a post to X that a scan showed ‘no evidence of disease’.

However, she later announced that another scan had shown signs of the disease in her abdomen but added that she would continue touring.

But the gigs were cancelled in September of this year after she was treated in hospital for sepsis before learning her cancer had returned with added complications.

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