Comedian Janey Godley was due to begin her Why Is She Still Here? tour across UK cities including London, Belfast and Edinburgh this autumn – `but it was announced today she has had to cancel the dates due to her terminal ovarian cancer spreading.
Godley found viral fame with her dubbed pastiches of Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings during the pandemic and revealed she had ovarian cancer in November 2021 – before later being given the all-clear in 2022.
She posted on her X account that the scan showed “no evidence of disease”, however, was given the heartbreaking news that another scan had shown signs of the disease in her abdomen.
Despite the diagnosis, Godley continued with her tour in February and March 2023, not wanting to let her fans down as she continued working through the diagnosis.
Last year, Godley posted on her social media where she explained she had received some scan results that showed the treatment she was on was keeping her terminal and incurable ovarian cancer “at bay”.
Many fans were looking forward to seeing the comedian this autumn but today were given the news that she was cancelling the tour after doctors told her to stop working “for the foreseeable future”.
Update pic.twitter.com/QB6jxyakKF
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) September 18, 2024
A statement from the Glasgow-born comedian’s team said: “It is with huge sadness that we must announce the cancellation of Janey Godley’s autumn 2024 tour.
“Janey has been living with stage four ovarian cancer for the past few years and the treatment from the wonderful Scottish NHS has kept the disease at bay. But sadly in the last few weeks, the cancer has returned and there have been a few added complications.
“Her doctors have now advised her that she must stop work for the foreseeable future. Janey is devastated to let down her thousands of loyal fans, and the wonderful venues, she has played many times over the years.
“She would like to thank everyone for their love and support at this difficult time.”
Godley also posted on her social media from hospital where she was being treated for a life-threatening condition that causes the body to respond improperly to an infection.
She addressed her fans and said: “Hi everybody, as you’ll see in the news today we’ve had to cancel the tour. I’m really sorry. We sold thousands and thousands of tickets and there are so many people employed and my poor bloody agent Chris has been magnificent.
“I’m in the hospital. I’ve been here for eight days, I had sepsis as well, and my cancer team has advised me not to work again, just to try and get better.
“The sepsis is under control but the cancer is spreading so they’ve told me not to work.”
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Fans of the comedian were left heartbroken for the star and were quick to send their well wishes, with one posting on Instagram: “Oh Janey we all love you so much you do what you need to do to keep on top of things. Sending so much love.”
“God bless you, Janey. I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending love & prayers,” another added before a third said: “Everyone understands Janey, please take this time to focus on you. We love you so much.”
A fourth penned: “Oh bloody hell Janey. Don’t worry at all about this and just concentrate on getting better. Love you.”
“You are one amazing woman. It’s important to look after yourself and keep that beautiful light of yours shining,” someone else praised before sixth wished: “So sorry to hear this. I wish you all the love and luck. What a beautiful soul you are.” (sic)
