About JeThRo

Geoffrey McIntyre Rowe (8 March 1948 – 14 December 2021), known by his stage name Jethro, was a celebrated Cornish stand-up comedian from the United Kingdom.
Born in St Buryan, Cornwall, on 8 March 1948, Jethro was the son of a farmer. After leaving school, he apprenticed as a carpenter and worked at the Levant tin mine. His father was the founder of the St Buryan Male Voice Choir, and Jethro made his stage debut as a bass singer with the St Just District Operatic Society in St Just.

Jethro began performing in Cornwall’s pubs and clubs, initially singing traditional songs. One night, after losing his voice, he told a joke instead, which was met with great enthusiasm. This moment marked the start of his career as a comedian.

His humor often featured risqué topics, including jokes about bodily functions and sexuality, which resonated well with working men’s clubs and stag parties. His style remained largely unchanged as he toured theaters, with comedian Dawn French describing him as "gloriously un-PC."

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In addition to comedy, Jethro played rugby as a prop forward for Penzance and Newlyn RFC from 1967, a team that later became the Cornish Pirates. It was during his rugby days that he adopted the stage name "Jethro," inspired by the character Jethro Bodine from the American sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.

By the 1970s and 1980s, Rowe’s popularity had spread throughout Cornwall and Devon. He made his national television debut in 1990 on The Des O'Connor Show and made several appearances thereafter. He also appeared multiple times on The Generation Game, showcasing his Cornish pasty-making skills.

In 1993, he released his first video, A Portion of Jethro, followed by several others.  

In 2001, he performed at the Royal Variety Performance.

One of his most popular routines, “This Train Don’t Stop Camborne Wednesdays,” was often featured on television due to its more family-friendly content. When he passed away, Great Western Railway paid tribute to him with a message at Camborne station.

In February 2020, Rowe announced his retirement from public performances, with his final shows postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jethro’s comedy was known for its unapologetic, foul-mouthed humour. His distinctive Cornish accent and rural style of dress were key features of his act. 

Jethro spent his later years in Lewdown, where he bred horses and owned a comedy club, which closed in 2012. 

He often remarked that “Jethro” and “Geoff Rowe” were two separate identities, describing himself as a "total recluse" outside of his performances.

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Jethro passed away in Plymouth on 14 December 2021, at the age of 73.