Jethro's funeral will be streamed online after procession through Devon and Cornwall
Hundreds are expected to attend Monday's service at Truro Cathedral
Last updated 4th Jan 2022
The West Country is coming together to bid a final goodbye to Cornish comedian Jethro.
The 73-year-old passed away last month after contracting coronavirus and his funeral is being held at Truro Cathedral on Monday.
The service starts at 12pm and will be preceded by a procession from his old comedy club, just across the border in Lewdown, to Truro's war memorial and on to the cathedral.
Fellow Cornish comedian Johnny Cowling is among those who will be attending the funeral.
Johnny performed at and visited Jethro's Club on countless occasions but remembers one night in particular.
"He always had a little sparkle in his eye, always. There was always that sparkle. He said you'll forever be known as the man that closed down his club up at Lewdown. I was the last act in at his club a few years ago and he said 'there you are boy, you'll always be able to tell everybody that you shut my club down'."
Johnny says the pair became "friends until the end" after Jethro watched him at one of his early pub gigs and invited him to be his warm-up act at Hall for Cornwall.
He says Jethro was a "genuine Cornishman" and described him as an inspiration.
Johnny added: "An uncle of mine said 'you've got to listen to this boy, this is Jethro' and I'd never heard of him. Anyway, I got a few of his tapes and I listened to them over and over and over again and sort of honed his act. I used to impersonate him in my act as a young boy and teenager so he was a bit of an idol.
"There was always a story and he could tell a lovely story. I don't think there's any better storyteller - not just in Cornwall, in the country. He didn't need the swearing, he was a master man at telling a tale.
Johnny also said Jethro paved the way for local performers like himself: "He put Cornwall on the map as far as entertainment goes. Not many people know but Prince Charles was a massive fan - a massive fan of Jethro. Jethro went off to Badminton and did dos for the royals up there, you know, he was in the mix. Royal Variety - he flew the flag for us".
People are being invited to stand along the route of Jethro's last journey to the Duchy on Monday 3rd January.
Jethro will be taken from the car park of Jethro's Club in Lewdown at 10am, before he passes through Lifton at 10:10am and across the Tamar to his "beloved Cornwall".
At 11.30am, a procession will move from Truro's war memorial, along Boscawen Street, onto King Street and up to the cathedral.
The service will include the hymns The Old Rugged Cross and Trelawney, accompanied by The Oggy Men, as well as a eulogy from his family and a tribute from friend and fellow comedian Jim Davidson OBE.
There will be speakers outside the cathedral relaying the service for those unable to get a seat inside.
In light of Covid, wearing a mask is compulsory in all areas of the cathedral unless you are exempt.
People are being asked not to leave flowers, however a collection box will be set up outside Truro Cathedral with donations going to Children's Hospice South West.
You can read more details and download the order of service on Truro Cathedral's website.