COMEDIAN Janey Godley has spoken out after receiving criticism for historic tweets she described as “horrific” and “offensive”.
Following her appearance in a Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance ad, old tweets resurfaced containing “derogatory” language about disabled people and Chernobyl victims.
The comedian, well-known for her voice-overs of Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus updates, issued an apology and said her line of work was “no excuse for shocking and hurting people”.
READ MORE: Covid Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon tears apart Douglas Ross Test and Protect claims
However she acknowledged that fake tweets were also circulating, which she did not take responsibility for. Godley urged users to report the posts.
One Tory MSP wrote to Aberdeen Performing Arts questioning Godley’s suitability to star in an upcoming Christmas production of Beauty and the Beast, but the organisation stood behind her.
Jane Spiers, the body’s chief executive, said “provocative and controversial” comedians have been on their stages many times over the years.
“Janey Godley is in this tradition,” Spiers said. “In line with the 40 venues on her current tour, including two sell out shows at the Tivoli on the Aberdeen leg of her tour, we would not consider this a reason for banning her from our venues.”
Today Godley took to social media to apologise again for the offence caused by some of her posts.
“I absolutely deserve every bit of criticism for the language used in past tweets, there is no shying away from that,” she told followers.
“I am writing this as I haven’t slept well, it’s my own fault, people have the right to go through past [timeline] and scrutinise each tweet, I deserve this.
“I’m not being a victim I am saying if you put yourself up there and say horrific offensive stuff that hurts people, you deserve to be brick batted down - that’s life I accept that, people have the right to punish me, I can’t argue with that is what I am saying,” she added.
Other comedians backed Godley, with stand-up Shaparak Khorsandi suggesting she could relate.
Oh Janey, I have messed up massively in the past, upset good people. None of us float through life with a completely clear record. We try our best to make amends and move forward xxx
— Shaparak Khorsandi (@ShappiKhorsandi) September 9, 2021
"Oh Janey, I have messed up massively in the past, upset good people," she told Godley. "None of us float through life with a completely clear record. We try our best to make amends and move forward."
Rosie Holt added: "I don’t think you do deserve this. Obviously we should all take responsibility for past actions and reflect and grow, but I’m really uncomfortable with people penalised for things they tweeted yonks ago. Everyone has said things in the past they wouldn’t now. I hope you’re ok."
Godley is due to appear in the Beauty and the Beast production at His Majesty’s Theatre from December 4 – January 2 2022.
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