Trivia

He had never been to school and couldn't read or write. His wife and manager, Beryl Formby, had to rehearse him through every line he ever spoke on the stage or on film, and all the songs, too.

In October 1936 he made a £5 wager with his producer friend, Jack Taylor, that he could climb the 500-foot Blackpool Tower by its intricate inner network of staircases and ladders.On the morning of the climb there was a crowd of some 6,000 waiting for him. By that time, though, he had received telegrams from his manager and the General Manager of ATP, the company that produced his films, stating that if he went ahead with the climb his contracts would be immediately canceled. He told the assembled crowd and the waiting reporters that he couldn't lose £50,000 for a £5 quid bet and that the bets would be given to the local hospital--and that the sad thing was that he could have done it.

In 1946 he and wife Beryl Formby arrived in South Africa to embark on a tour when they discovered that they would have to play to segregated audiences. They objected strongly, resulting in the South African authorities throwing them out of the country.

His father George Formby Sr. was a member of a music hall troupe that included a young Charles Chaplin and it was George's father's insistence that Charlie should try his luck in the US.

He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1946 King's Birthday Honours List for his services to the Forces during World War II.

Was born blind, until he had a bad coughing fit as a baby and this was what gave him his sight.

He was inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame in 2004.

His best known song, "Leaning on a Lamp Post", which became his trademark, was first sung in his film Feather Your Nest (1937).

He was a big influence on Frank Skinner, who presented Frank Skinner on George Formby (2011).

A number of George Formby's songs were banned by BBC radio, on account of the rather suggestive lyrics.

He was top of the British box office from 1938 until 1944.

It is generally agreed upon that if it weren't for the exceptional business acumen of his wife Beryl, George Formby wouldn't have enjoyed the immense success that came his way.

At the height of his popularity, George Formby was making about £90,000 a year.

When George Formby began his career in the music halls, his initial engagements were only given to him out of sympathy following his father's passing.

His mother Eliza Booth (née Hoy) outlived him by 20 years, dying at the age of 102 in 1981.

When some of his films were shown on British TV during the 1950s, George Formby himself appeared in special introductions.

His first film, "Boots Boots," was filmed above a fire station.

A biography of George Formby by David Bret details the trials and tribulations of the entertainer's marriage to Beryl. She was depicted as being a jealous and controlling person with regards to her husband.

His first appearance in a film, was as an extra in a now lost production, "By the Shortest of Heads.".

Ill health was clearly in evidence when the entertainer made his TV appearance on the "London Palladium" show. George Formby passed away nearly four months later.

In spite of his wealth, he was described as being tight with his money and rarely paid for a round of drinks.

In spite of being a chain smoker in real life, the entertainer refused to smoke in any of his films as he didn't want to encourage any of his younger fans to take up smoking.

As a boy, Formby planned to go into business with his father when the latter wanted to run a stud farm. Sadly, none of this materialized on account of Formby's father dying suddenly.

Was the eldest of seven children - he had four sisters and two brothers.

Amongst his more regular and popular co-stars, were Garry Marsh and Ronald Shiner. They were usually cast as the villains.

After his father died he took to the stage at 16 under the name of George Hoy and was soon topping the bill before taking on his real name touring the country as a solo act and as a double act with his wife, who managed his career and gave him the push he needed.

Admitted to living on lean times before making his first film in 1934.

Left "Ealing" studios in 1941, signing a contract with "British Columbia" the same year.

It has been well documented that George Formby and most of his cinema leading ladies didn't get on very well.

He left school at the age of 7, a decision he regretted for the rest of his life.

Often smoked three packs of cigarettes a day.

Like other celebrities, George Formby was placed in danger while he was entertaining soldiers during the Second World War.

In 1921 at Beverly he fell asleep in a horsebox.

He was a stable lad at stables at Norton in North Yorkshire then became a professional jockey riding 27 placed horses but no winners.

In 1939 he was Britain's top box office star.

He was an apprentice jockey at a racing stable but 3 months after his father died he went on stage under the assumed name of George Hoy.

In WWII he joined Blackpool Home Guard as a dispatch rider but his love of motor bikes didn't extend to real TT racing.

He was willing to do his own stunts and riding in No Limit but director Monty Banks wouldn't allow him to. in the first scene he was replaced by a stunt rider who drove through a garden fence. Other stunts were performed by experienced TT riders.

Film debut was in Boots, Boots in 1933.

Role he would most like to play was Donald Duck.

Favourite leading lady was his wife Beryl.

Favourite holiday resort was Blackpool.

Earliest recollection was of riding a horse.

Favouite film stars were Robert Donat, Robert Taylor, Gracie Fields and Myrna Loy.