George Formby (I)

The dark side of George Formby

Behind the smile and the ukulele, the ever-popular entertainer - who died 60 years ago this week - was a serial womaniser with a lurid past.

New play tells the story of George Formby

A Lancashire theatre company is to stage the life story of George Formby, one of the county's most famous comedy sons in a new play this month.

George Formby's 'hidden ukuleles' sold at auction

Two ukuleles used by George Formby have fetched almost £24,000 at auction after being kept out of view for years.

Review: Stanley - A Man Of Variety

Deliberately disconcerting, Stanley - Man Of Variety is also frustrating and unsatisfying, each scene a curious little sketch on its own, but amounting to very little.

George Formby treasure trove found in disused cabinet

An archive of letters, diaries and photos belonging to film star George Formby and his spouses has been found in a disused office in Preston.

George Formby's banjo ukulele for sale at auction

A banjo ukulele owned by popular 1930s and 40s entertainer George Formby is being sold at auction.

James Meehan on comedy's class issues

James Meehan calls for an end to stereotyping, on and off screening.

Queen considered George Formby Society patron role

She is head of state, leader of the Commonwealth, head of the armed forces and the Church of England, and patron of countless societies and good charitable causes.

And the Queen once considered adding another string to her bow, it has been claimed: president of the George Formby Society.

As the 19th century became the 20th, music hall morphed into something called "variety" - a showcase for acts such as "the stud of cantankerous and educated ponies, introduced by Mr Boswell". Frank Skinner and Suzy Klein pick up the story, celebrating megastars such as Harry Lauder, gender-bending Vesta Tilley, Gracie Fields and that leer on legs, the brilliantly disgusting George Formby, with his little stick of Blackpool rock ("It's nice to have a nibble at it now and again").

Cradle To Grave review

Bolton comedian Peter Kay played Spud, with a valiant attempt at a South London accent that sounded like George Formby doing a Sid James impression. He looked the part, though, with his Brylcreemed hair and spatula side-burns.