Hundreds gather in Truro to bid a final farewell to Cornish comedian Jethro
His funeral service took place at the cathedral on Monday 3rd January
Last updated 3rd Jan 2022
Hundreds of people have gathered in Truro to bid a final farewell to Jethro at his funeral.
The Cornish comic died on December 14 at the age of 73 after contracting Covid-19.
Real name Geoffrey Rowe, the comedy star built his name in the 1980s and 1990s, only announcing his retirement in 2020 after almost 50 years of touring.
A funeral procession set off from his club in Lewdown, Devon, at 10am on Monday, and travelled through Lifton before going on to Truro where a procession was held at the War Memorial on Boscawen Street.
Hundreds of people lined the road and gathered outside Truro Cathedral to say a final farewell.
The service began midday and was conducted by the Reverend Canon Alan Bashforth and Reverend Tim Hodge.
Reverend Canon Alan Bashforth told us: "He has a great reputation in Cornwall as a Cornishman I think in all sorts of ways, and certainly through the years he's made many people laugh.
"The service is pretty much what a modern day funeral service is these days, many people want to gather and give thanks for and celebrate the life of the person they've come to see.
"This is the great public celebration and remembrance of his life, there is then a private and more intimate occasion for the family as they say their farewells to somebody who they loved."
A eulogy was read out on behalf of Jethro’s family, and speakers included his long-time agent John Miles and stand-up comic Jim Davidson.
Davidson spoke of their friendship, gigs and many, many laughs together in a touching tribute.
He described Jethro as a “great, great comic” and ended by saying: “I always look at this way Jethro my old boy. What a man calls a caterpillar, a wise man calls a butterfly. So you go fly Geoff”.
Hymns including The Old Rugged Cross and the traditional song Trelawny were sung, accompanied by Cornish folk band The Oggymen.
People travelled far and wide to make the journey to Truro for Jethro's send off.
Among them was Lee Evans from South Wales. He told us: "I've travelled here today so say goodbye to a very funny man, I met Jethro five years ago and I always listen to him on the radio and the tele, I think he's a very funny man, me and my wife have come down today to pay our respects."
Tank Sherman is a stand-up comedian from Chudleigh in Devon who also travelled to Truro for the service.
He said: "I've known Geoff for many years, he was very kind to give me a break down at his club a long time ago, and we became the best of friends. He was just the master of comedy, as far as I'm concerned we'll never see the likes of Geoff again.
"He was always one to help you and give advice, and when he did that you felt you felt honoured to take notes from who we called the master.
"But it's a very sad time, I'm down here with some friends and we all respect Geoff for the legacy that he's left us and I think he's going to get a great send off."
This was the moment his coffin was carried into the cathedral for the service...