What's happened
Janey Godley, the Scottish comedian known for her viral voiceovers during the pandemic, has died at 63 from ovarian cancer. Her humor and candidness won her a significant following, and tributes have poured in from fans and public figures alike, including former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Scotsman, Nicola Sturgeon described Godley as a 'force of nature' who 'helped save lives' by making serious health messages accessible through humor. The New York Times highlighted Godley's candid approach to her illness and her significant impact on public health messaging during the pandemic. Both sources emphasize the emotional tributes from fans and public figures, showcasing her influence beyond just comedy.
How we got here
Godley gained fame during the COVID-19 pandemic for her humorous voiceovers of Nicola Sturgeon's daily briefings. She had been in palliative care since September 2024 after announcing she had exhausted treatment options for ovarian cancer.
More on these topics
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Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon is a Scottish politician serving as the fifth First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of the Scottish National Party since November 2014. She is the first woman to hold either position.
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Janey Godley is a Scottish stand-up comedian, actress and writer from Glasgow.
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The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.