Susie McCabe on Janey Godley: ‘Audiences roared – never tittered or chuckled – and she made it look effortless’

The candid Scottish standup, who has died aged 63, is remembered for her love and laughter by her fellow Glaswegian comic

‘Legend” gets bandied around a lot these days. But I said goodbye to a legend this week. It wasn’t a surprise; we all knew it was coming. She told us on socials because, of course, if Janey had something to tell you, she told you directly. That could be through your phone or, if she had something to say to you as a comic or as a pal, you were getting it directly to your face, whether you wanted to hear it or not. Invariably she was right – and annoyingly so.

She came into the world in the East End of Glasgow in 1961, with a backdrop of poverty and alcoholism. In spite of a basic education, she was clever. In spite of childhood and adult trauma, she had bravery. In spite of all those things and the death of her mother, who she believed was murdered, Janey had humour. Above all she had love – a heart full of it, even if sometimes it would be misplaced to her own detriment.

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