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Cornish comic Jethro to be honoured with life-sized statue in Cornwall
A life-size statue commemorating Cornwall’s most famous comedian Jethro could be unveiled in the next few months. Jethro, (real name Geoffrey Rowe), died on December 14, 2021, at the age 73 after having contracted Covid-19, and his death was met with tributes from locals and celebs alike.
His funeral took place a month later in Truro Cathedral and was attended by hundreds of mourners including many celebrities and friends of the comedian and singer such as Jim Davidson. Hundreds more had lined the streets of Lewdown, Devon, near Jethro’s club ahead of a funeral procession, clapping as the hearse funeral cortege drove past.
Jethro was born in St Buryan near Penzance and became well-known for his observational comedy, much of which covered life in his beloved Cornwall.
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Camborne train station was a centre point for tributes to Jethro, following his passing. At the time, GWR changed its departure board on Platform 2 at Camborne Station to Read “RIP Jethro 1948-2021”, and fans left floral tributes on the platform in honour of him after his passing. In February this year a plaque in his honour was unveiled by GWR at the station. The town was the subject of one of his best-known gags, which said that the trains don’t stop there on Wednesdays.
Now a group of friends and fans of the comedian are hoping to do something that will keep Jethro’s memory alive for decades to come with a life-size bronze statue.
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Rebel Dean and Peter Southwell started the project 18 months ago and have now launched a fundraising campaign to see that the forever-memorial to Cornwall’s most famous entertainer not only happens but is given the most prominent spot in the county Jethro always called home.
“The laughter has gone quiet since he’s not around anymore,” Rebel said from a fundraising stall at the Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge (stand 304). “It’s washed off.”
He added: “Jethro used to make millions of people laugh. Now there are millions of people not laughing because he’s not around anymore. What a great thing to be remembered for.”
Rebel said that when it comes to statues, people tend to walk past them and stop to Google who they are and discover more about them. He added: “We want people in 20, 50, 100 years’ times to do the same with Jethro and remember him.”
Rebel and Pete have since approached Jethro’s family and have their approval for a a life-size statue of the comedian. A sculptor from Wadebridge, Richard Austin, has been working on the clay model for several months and he is looking to cast the statue in bronze in the coming weeks.
Pete said everything had been endorsed by Jethro’s family and the unveiling of the statue could take place towards the end of the summer or early autumn.
Pete said that the original idea was for the statue to be placed at Camborne station, but because of the plaque to Jethro already unveiled at the station, the team is now on the lookout for a new location. He said: “We’re looking at Land’s End and Eden Project and Hall for Cornwall in Truro. We want something protected so it won’t get vandalised, We think Hall for Cornwall would be the perfect spot.”
The fundraising campaign has so far raised almost £15,000 of a £25,000 target. You can help the Statue for Jethro campaign by visiting
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