George Formby

Biography

George Hoy Booth, 26 May 1904, Wigan, Lancashire, England, d. 6 March 1961, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. The son of George Formby, a successful Edwardian Music Hall comedian, George Hoy was an apprentice jockey before following in his father’s footsteps when he died in 1921. At first he worked under his real name and offered what he believed to be an imitation of his father’s act - although he had never seen him perform. He changed his name to Formby and discarded the old image when he introduced a ukulele into his act, and then, just as significantly, married dancer, Beryl Ingham in September 1924. The lady was to mastermind - some would say, dominate - the remainder of his career. In the late 20s he developed a stage personality that was described variously as: ‘the beloved imbecile’, ‘the modern minstrel’ and, ‘with a carp-like face, a mouth outrageously full of teeth, a walk that seems normally to be that of a flustered...

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