Who was Jethro? Tributes paid to Cornish comedian Geoffrey Rowe who has died of Covid aged 73

Tributes have been paid to comedian Jethro, real name Geoffrey Rowe, who has died at the age of 73.

A statement posted on Facebook said he died on Tuesday (14 December) after contracting Covid-19.

The statement read: “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of the well known and popular Cornish comedian Jethro.

“Tragically Jethro passed away on 14th December 2021 after contracting Covid-19.

“Jethro leaves behind his life partner Jennie, sons Jesse and Lanyon, step daughter Sarah, daughter-in-law Stacey and of course his much loved grandchildren.

“We ask that you respect our privacy at this very sad time and give us all time to grieve.

“We will continue to support each other in the knowledge that our lives will never be the same without him.”

The comedy star was double jabbed and had had a booster vaccination, according to the PA news agency.

Who was Jethro?

Born in St Buryan in Cornwall, the stage name Jethro was reportedly inspired by a character of the same name from US sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.

Throughout the 1980s he built a following in Cornwall and Devon, before making a national TV appearance in 1990 on the Des O’Connor Show.

In 2001, he performed in the Royal Variety Show and went on to become one of the biggest stars from Cornwall.

In February 2020, he announced on social media that he was “hanging up my mic” and retiring from the comedy circuit. He promised to honour his forthcoming tour dates, although they were later postponed due to the onset of the pandemic.

‘Gloriously un-pc’

Dawn French, who has spent recent years living in Cornwall, tweeted: “Oh. Bugger. This gloriously un-pc Cornishman, Jethro, (Geoffrey Rowe) has left us.

“Some of my most helpless with laughter moments were in his presence. A supremely gifted comedian. Thoughts with all he loved. Geddon bey.”

In a nod to one of his famous gags, Great Western Railway tweeted: “We were really sad to hear about the passing of Jethro.

“May you rest peacefully in the knowledge that the train does indeed now stop at Camborne on Wednesdays.”

A second tweet added: “Except for today, as we are running a rail replacement service due to improvement works Eyes #Camborne”.

Actress and comic Crissy Rock said: “Sad news on hearing of the passing of Cornish comedian Jethro aged 73! May you rest in peace.”

The Kings Theatre in Portsmouth, where Jethro performed on a number of occasions, also shared a tribute.

It said: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of legendary Cornish comedian Jethro at the age of 73. Jethro appeared at the Kings many times in his career and last performed here in 2014.

“He will be sadly missed and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Fellow stand-up Richard Herring and Welsh tenor Paul Potts also paid tribute to the comic.

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