Jenny Godley Wins First Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award

She was honored at the 2023 Glasgow International Comedy Festival. That was just minutes after she wrapped up the show with her official closing her gala at King’s. theater in the city.

An independent panel of judges met Wednesday to consider nominations and pass their nominations to Sir Billy. Sir Billy made the final decision ahead of Sunday’s announcement.

Shortlisted for the award were Scott Agnew, Paul Black, Craig Hill, Kieran Hodgson and Susie McCabe.

Sir Billy appeared on screen and Godley, who is battling cancer, was announced as the winner and said:

“Glasgow deserves to host an international comedy festival, the Comedy Festival. It’s the funniest city in the world…and it deserves to be at the top of the league.

“The winner of the Billy Connolly Award, believe it or not, is Jenny Godley. A worthy winner.

“A fine comedian. I’ve known her for about five or six years. We met at new zealand I took her to my show when she was performing at festivals. There is a strange way of crossing the road.

“It took some time for her to get used to it. She is an amazing girl, an amazing comedian and an extraordinary life story. I’m very proud of it. It’s nice.”

The Spirit of Glasgow Awards were defined by five criteria: humor, resilience, openness, depth and unapologeticness.

Featuring a self-portrait of Sah Billy etched into the glass, the award was presented to Godley by Festival Director Christa MacDonald and Two Doors Down star and judge Elaine C. Smith.

Godley said:

“I received an award from a man I admired since I was a child.”

Godley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2021 and is undergoing chemotherapy.

She announced last year that all suspicions had been cleared, but that a recent scan showed signs of illness in her abdomen.