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Much beloved West Country comedian Jethro had an audience in turmoil when he appeared in Dorset.
Popular Cornish comedian Geoffrey Rowe, who was usually known by his stage name, sadly passed away at the age of 73 yesterday after contracting Covid.
Jethro has delighted local fans with his unique and irreverent performance style and has made regular appearances in the county – often performing in the Weymouth Pavilion and Bournemouth Pavilion theaters.
The news of his death was announced in a statement posted on his official Facebook page. Its management said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the famous and popular Cornish comedian Jethro.
“Jethro tragically passed away on December 14, 2021 after contracting COVID-19.”
Here we come back to some of his performances in Dorset. We would love to see your photos and memories of the star – you can contact us at [email protected]
Bournemouth Pavilion – Monday February 9, 2009
Our list at the time said: Jethro is one of the most cheeky comedians around and continues to sell himself on every tour of his mischievous repertoire of adult material.
You never know which tales Jethro will come out of – but one thing is for sure, the best will involve his now renowned friends Denzel Penberthy, Slipalong Trevaskis, and Bill Pedureare.
Jethro, who worked in the Cornish tin mines and is a carpenter by trade, started his entertainment career as a singer in his local pub.
“One night I ran out of voice,†he said. “I couldn’t sing anymore, so I just told a joke instead… oddly enough, it took a storm and I’ve never been allowed to sing since. “
Jethro appeared at the Bournemouth Pavilion in 2009
Weymouth Pavilion – August 24, 2016
Jethro turned 40 making people laugh at 68.
He looked “slightly frail” when he first appeared backstage – but immediately picked up his pace and had everyone in stitches.
That’s according to Echo critic Graham James, who reported on the show – adding that the star “feasted” with audiences in Weymouth.
Mr James wrote:
Jethro offers old-fashioned humor based mostly on bodily functions with the occasional bit of misogyny. He knows genital jokes will always make people laugh.
His invariably dirty little tales mostly involve his character invention called Denzil with his wife often the butt of many of his jokes.
Yes, political correctness has overtaken Jethro, but it’s so retro it might be back in fashion.
It’s an act of predominantly blue humor sharpened at drunken worker clubs and stag parties across the country over the years and one that pleases Weymouth audiences.
There are frequent musical interludes when his first group, Shaun Perry, sings a few well-known tunes in the prodigious style typical of musicals to over-orchestrated backing tracks. Jethro himself has a few musical moments singing Some Enchanted Evening in an unusually upright opera style. But his voice still holds.
There are no political references tonight and the only piece of topical humor he did was to refer to Trump. “He robbed and the burglars stole all of his books – and he wasn’t done coloring them all!” Not great but about the only one that could be published in this journal.
The most convincing part of his number was when he strummed guitar chords and told some stories over them. It’s an effective way to deliver his often hilarious stories.
Jethro would never be popular at The Fringe, but he’s created a comedy niche of his own with his warm Cornish voice softening the edges of his particular brand of bone-in humor.
In 2016 Jethro celebrated 40 years of making people laugh
August 2019 – her last appearance at Weymouth?
The Cornish legend returned to the city in August 2019 for “an evening of hysterical nonsense”.
Audiences at Weymouth Pavilion were treated to a glimpse of the ‘circus of a genius in comedy’, according to our list of events from the time.
He continued, “Jethro seduces and confuses his audience with the endless stream of irreverent chatter that has created a comedy genius.
“Over four million DVD sales are testament to the legion of fans who have faithfully followed Jethro throughout his career. Now, with stories old and new, he will be on stage this weekend.”
Jethro brought his ‘stream of twaddle’ to Weymouth in 2019
In December 2001, he was also invited to participate in the Royal Variety Show in front of the Queen.
Jethro even incorporated an anecdote about a stay in Bournemouth into one of his routines, as can be seen in the video above.
He is survived by his life partner Jennie, his sons Jesse and Lanyon, his daughter-in-law Sarah, his daughter-in-law Stacey and his beloved grandchildren.
Have you met him? Send us your photos of the star in Dorset to [email protected]
