Janey Godley has won the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award just minutes after closing the International Comedy Festival today.
The Scots comic, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year, was crowned the winner after she showcased her humour, resilience, openness, unapologetic nature and depth
An independent panel, which included the likes of Sanjeev Kohli, Greg Hemphill, Elaine C Smith, and Karen Dunbar, considered nominations for the at the end of the March and submitted them to comedy legend Billy Connolly who made the final decision.
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The other nominees were Scott Agnew, Paul Black, Craig Hill, Kieran Hodgson and Susie McCabe.
Laura Quinn Goh, Krystal Evans and Chris Forbes were all given special commendation by judges. Sir Billy Connolly appeared on the big screen to make the big announcement.
The national treasure said: “Hello, I am Billy Connolly and I am here to congratulate the winners of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Glasgow deserves to have a comedy festival - an international comedy festival. It’s the funniest town in the world bar none and it deserves to be at the top of the league.
“The winner of the award - the Billy Connolly Award believe it or not - is Janey Godley. A worthy winner. A worthy comedian. She’s been a pal of mine for about 5 or 6 years. We met in New Zealand when she was performing at a festival, and I took her to see my show - almost killing her on the way. I have a weird way of crossing the road. It took her a while to get used to it! She’s a great girl, a great comedian and an extraordinary life story to dwell on. I’m very proud to be part of the International Festival and I’m very proud that my drawing has been part of the trophy. It’s lovely.”
Janey, who is currently on her Not Dead Yet tour, was handed self-portrait of Sir Billy Connolly etched in glass by Director Krista MacDonald alongside Two Doors Down star and Judge, Elaine C Smith.
The gobsmacked comic said: “I can’t believe I’ve won this… If I couldn’t joke I wouldn’t be me. I have won an award from a man that I’ve admired since I was a child.”
Whilst holding the award aloft she added: “This is going to be my tombstone.”
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