Nicola Sturgeon/XNicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to “one of the funniest people I have ever known” following the death of Scottish comedian Janey Godley.
The 63-year-old passed away “surrounded by friends and family” on Saturday morning, her manager Chris Davis said.
In a statement, he said: “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.”
Paying tribute to the comedian on social media platform X, Sturgeon referenced Janey’s popular Covid voiceovers, saying “Frank will have been there, holding the door for her as she went – with a tear in his eye, as I have in mine”.
She added: “A bond was forged between us in the darkest days of Covid when her famous voiceovers of my daily briefings went viral. In the toughest of times, she made people laugh – and that was precious.”
Godley’s daughter Ashley Storrie posted a clip on social media announcing the death of her mum, saying that she wanted to tell her fans “face to face as it felt very much what she would have wanted”.
She said: “She went peacefully and I want to thank 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 these last horrible days.
“Thank you for making a very very scary moment peaceful and a nice transition.”
Storrie also thanked her mum’s fans for their support, adding she believed in her “heart of hearts she felt every bit of love you sent her”.
She added: “Bye ma, Frank get the door.”
Meanwhile First Minister John Swinney paid tribute to Godley, saying she brought “joy and laughter on many occasions when we needed it most”.
He added: “May she rest in peace.”
Author and former Communards member the Reverend Richard Coles and comedian Dom Joly were among the celebrities paying tribute to Godley.
Coles said in a post on X: “I loved @JaneyGodley. She made me laugh every day, she loved a sausage (dog), and no one has ever given a more comprehensive assessment of the personal qualities of the 45th president of the United States.
“#RIPJaney, and condolences to her family and friends.”
Joly posted on the social media platform: “RIP Janey Godley – she was one of a kind and a lovely, funny person.”
Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson said: “So hard to think of that great force and bright energy no longer in the world.
“My huge love to Ashley and family in their pain and loss.”
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