George Formby

George Formby enjoyed forty years of success in variety theatre, recording over two hundred songs, starring in twenty films, appearing in a hit West End musical, and entertaining more than three million Allied troops across numerous war fronts during World War II. In his later years, he embraced the emerging medium of television, gaining even broader public exposure. Sadly, his health declined in the 1950s, and in 1961, George Formby passed away at the comparatively young age of fifty-six.

A Society is Born

Shortly after his death on the 6th of March, a letter was published in The Stage theatre journal, inviting readers to form an Appreciation Society to ensure that George Formby’s name would not be forgotten, unlike many other stars of the Music Hall era. A small group of fans responded, and later that year, the first official meeting of The George Formby Society took place at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. During that inaugural gathering, a committee was elected to manage the Society, a magazine titled The Vellum was launched, and it was agreed that meetings would be held at least twice annually.

Growth and Influence

From these modest beginnings, the Society flourished. Membership steadily grew, aided by ongoing radio and television exposure. Thanks to this continued interest, George Formby’s name has retained its charm and significance both across the UK and around the world. In 1991, to mark the Society’s 30th anniversary and commemorate Formby’s legacy, an exhibition of archival materials was displayed for three months in Warrington Library. The event attracted extensive media coverage and drew over 37,000 visitors, including the late George Harrison, lead guitarist of The Beatles, who subsequently became a member.

Media Recognition

In 1992, George Formby was the subject of an entire episode of ITV’s acclaimed arts programme The South Bank Show, one of the most popular instalments of the series. The programme was created by the brilliant TV producer Daniel Wiles, himself a long-time member of the Society.

Milestones and

Innovations

Another milestone came in 1994 when then-President Dennis Taylor introduced the Society’s first glossy, full-colour, 32- page edition of The Vellum, marking a new era of professional presentation and further expanding the Society’s reach. By late 1996, the Society launched its first website. Now in its 29th year, it continues to generate interest and attract new members, ensuring George Formby’s name lives on. A particularly memorable moment occurred when President Dennis Taylor announced that George Formby’s brother, Ted, wished to become involved with the Society and attend a meeting in Blackpool. This led to a lasting friendship that continued until Ted Booth (Formby)’s passing in February 2007. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of the George Formby Society, two statues of George now exist—one in Douglas, Isle of Man, and another in his home town of Wigan. In 2004, he was also honoured with a set of six commemorative postage stamps issued by the Isle of Man Postal Service. In 2011, Daniel Wiles once again shared his passion for Formby in a one-hour BBC special titled Frank Skinner on George Formby. The programme, frequently repeated on BBC Four, led to another surge in membership. Comedian Frank Skinner, an avowed Formby fan, joined the Society, as did many other public figures. That Daniel Wiles was never offered honorary membership remains an unfortunate oversight.

Royal Recognition

Without a doubt, the greatest event in the Society’s history occurred in 2018 when the BBC contacted the GFS with an invitation for 40 of its performing members to take part in a highly secure and prestigious celebration—Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 92nd birthday. Held at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, 21st April, the concert was attended by over 5,000 guests, including the late Queen, her son (now King Charles III), and other members of the Royal Family. The GFS members performed one of Her Majesty’s favourite songs, When I’m Cleaning Windows, sharing the iconic stage with artists such as Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, and Sting. The concert was broadcast worldwide to an audience of over two billion people.

What Makes GFS Special

What truly sets the George Formby Society apart is that while many fan clubs admire their heroes from afar, this Society includes members who actively perform Formby’s songs and play the ukulele- banjo—many to a standard approaching that of Formby himself. From beginners to expert players, all are welcome.

Join Us

The heart of the Society is its Blackpool conventions, where members gather to celebrate and perform. To become part of this vibrant and welcoming community, visit this page of the George Formby Society website You won’t be disappointed! Peter Pollard – May 2025