George Formby was born George Hoy Booth on May 26, 1904, in Wigan, Lancashire. He later adopted his father's stage name, George Formby. Formby's early life was marked by struggles with education, as he failed to learn to read or write, leading to his removal from formal schooling and subsequent apprenticeship as a stable boy in Middleham, North Yorkshire.
As a jockey, Formby initially worked in England but moved to Ireland in 1915 due to the closure of the English racing season during World War I. He continued to work as a jockey until the end of the war. After his return to England, Formby worked for Lord Derby's Newmarket stables, but unfortunately, he never won a race.
Following his father's death in 1921, Formby made his professional stage debut at the Hippodrome in Lancashire, where he was paid £5 a week. He soon landed a job at the Moss Empire chain of theaters, earning £17 10 shillings a week. However, his act initially struggled, leading to periods of unemployment.
In 1923, Formby made two pivotal decisions: he purchased a ukulele and married Beryl Ingham, a talented clog dancer and actress from Acrington, Lancashire. Beryl significantly improved Formby's act, insisting he wear formal attire and incorporate his ukulele into his performances.
By June 1926, Formby had begun his recording career, and by the 1930s, he was becoming a major star, eventually becoming the U.K.'s most popular and highest-paid entertainer. During World War II, Formby worked extensively for ENSA, entertaining civilians and troops, and touring factories, theaters, and concert halls. By 1946, it was estimated that he had performed in front of three million service personnel.
After the war, Formby's career began to decline, although he continued to tour the Commonwealth and appear in variety and pantomime shows. His last television appearance was in December 1960, just two weeks before the death of his wife, Beryl. Formby passed away in Preston, Lancashire, on January 6, 1961, at the age of 56, and was buried alongside his father in Warrington.
