He was known for his performance work with Martin von Haselberg as one of The Kipper Kids who became notorious for their rowdy and rebellious performances in the art world; influencing the punk movement and the inspiration for such acts as the Blue Man Group, Karen Finley and Paul McCarthy.

Born in Gateshead, County Durham, Routh grew up in a working-class family with parents that were considered rebellious talkers and storytellers.

He attended the East 15 Acting School in Loughton, Essex, where he met von Haselberg, a fellow student.

Von Haselberg and Routh reunited in 1977 to appear as the Kipper Kids in a film by Richard Elfman called Forbidden Zone, which was released in 1982.

Routh was also involved in writing and starring in three projects for Cinemax and HBO, and he performed in several films alongside von Haselberg as The Kipper Kids.

[9] His sound work has been featured on numerous BBC Radio shows and The Guardian weekly podcast.