‘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.
Some comedians go on a stage and just go through the motions. Some have written great jokes but don’t have the charisma to take them over the threshold. Some shine to the sound of audience laughter and glisten like a frosty pavement in midwinter. Janey didn’t just shine, she was illuminated when the room went with her and she heard that roar. And it was a roar, never a titter or a chuckle but a roar. She made it look effortless quite frankly. Very annoying for the rest of us.
Some of us chose to watch, learn and enjoy while for some it was too difficult to enjoy or learn. Something about that wee wummin really got up a lot of people’s humphs. I suspect it was her talent.
For Janey, making people laugh was as natural as breathing. Even after beating cancer the first time, out she went on tour – pixie cut, glasses on and her wee rosy elfin face providing love and laughter to her fans. During the pandemic she cheered us up with her “Frank, get the door” and “Aw the Sandras” voiceover videos.
Comedy has lost someone special, the arts have lost a talent, the working class have lost a voice, women have lost a legend. All we can do is get the big soup pot out and head doon the caravan with aw the Sandras and smile when we think of Janey. Brought into this world as a wee scrappy alley cat and going out a lion.
Thanks for everything – the laughs, the tears and arse bootings. Goodnight, pal. Frank, get the door: there is a legend on the way.
