Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to Scottish comedian Janey Godley after her death at the age of 63

Nicola 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 died “surrounded by friends and family” on Saturday morning, her manager Chris Davis said.

In a statement he said: “Janey died peacefully at the wonderful Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, surrounded by her loved ones.

“She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and many fans.”

Paying tribute to the comedian on social media platform X, Sturgeon addressed Janey’s popular Covid-related voiceovers, saying: “Frank will be there and hold the door for her as she leaves – with a tear in his eye, just like I have in mine.”

She added: “The bond was formed between us during the darkest days of Covid, when her famous voiceovers of my daily briefings went viral. In the most difficult moments, she made people laugh – and that was valuable.”

Godley’s daughter, Ashley Storrie, posted a clip on social media announcing her mother’s death, saying she wanted to tell her fans “face to face because she felt like she wanted it so much.”

She said: “She passed away peacefully and I want to thank all the staff at The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and a huge thank you to her mum who found a family who stood by her in those last terrible days.

“Thank you for a calm and pleasant transition at a very, very scary time.”

Storrie also thanked her mother’s fans for their support, adding that she believes in her “heart, I feel every bit of love you send her.”

She added: “Goodbye, Mom, Frank, open 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 he rest in peace.”

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