Former homes of the stars: George Formby

Mr H travels to Lytham St Annes on the Fylde Coast to take a look at the former home of music hall star and legend George Formby, located on the once fashionable Inner Promenade and tells the story of the bizarre auction of all of his possessions, including his soiled underwear that took place there after his death.

[@Charles010]

A wonderfully engaging, interesting and informative film. Thank you for posting.

[@benjidoowood1413]

ace, thankyou for uploading.

[@iamthefatstig]

He also had a lovely place on the Norfolk Broads, It's pointed out on the boat trips. Apparently, he got into hot water with the Ministry at the time as it was build during rationing and supplies were scarce. George managed to "find" supplies. It's well worth a boat trip to see it.

[@nonroadusr]

Another interesting video Mr H. I met Max Bygraves when He was staying in 'Digs' in Lytham st Annes and He gave Me His autograph and free tickets to His show in Blackpool. I was just a Kid back then in the 60's but I remember He was a really nice chap.

[@MrHsHotPot]

Cheers Nonroadusr, glad you found it interesting. The old stars were the best and knew the worth of gestures such as a couple of free tickets here and there, unlike todays overpaid and over rated 'stars' who won't do anything for anyone until your cheque has cleared.

[@cautionTosser]

I'm only 18 seconds in, but I'm going out on a limb and hitting that like button already. For the jumper alone. :D

[@MamaKim.]

Beryldene, The Inner Promenade at St Annes-on-the Sea which yes is in the borough of Lytham St Annes. Recommend watching the film “Hear My Song” about Joseph Locke, directed by Peter Chelsom, a proud Sandgrown’un

[@pastorflaps6819]

I am so very lucky my mother was a very big Formby fan on the day of the sale of his personal items she obtained one of his hats it now has pride of place in my home thank you for showing us his home hope all is going well with the little person

[@MrHsHotPot]

Cheers Pastor Flaps, Little Hot Pot is doing great thanks. 👍 It must have made you smile seeing the home and the gates that your mother passed through as one of 'thousands' that passed through over that three day auction. The fact that you also have one of the items from that sale belonging to George Formby is amazing and a real piece of history. Glad that you enjoyed the video and thanks for telling your story.

[@800beemer]

Brilliant video, my man George was the top earner of his day.

[@peterfurey4398]

I love your videos Mr H. We must have common interests pal. I love George Formby and of course Mr Fred Dibnah too. They are both an unbelievable inspiration to me. I'm from Runcorn myself but feel proud to be from the North West like these two God's of our stomping ground. Well done and I look forward to more of your travels!!

[@MrHsHotPot]

Cheers Peter, good to hear that you have enjoyed my videos especially this one of George Formby's former home in Lytham St Annes. As you probably know George bought and lived in a number of homes during his married life with his wife Beryl and would always curiously rename the properties 'Beryldene' after moving into them. After a bit of research I have managed to uncover another one of the 'Beryldene' properties which George and Beryl lived in before moving on up the property ladder which I hope to document soon. Many thanks for taking the time to comment and all the best. 👍

[@peterfurey4398]

@@MrHsHotPot Same to you too. I look forward that!

[@geoffmower8729]

Now I know where George got the inspiration for the song when I'm cleaning windows.😂🤣

[@whiggygirl]

Mr H, we went to George's house today!!! I was soooooo excited!!!! I didn't know anything about it until I saw this video, and when I saw it I had my partner Craig promise we could go next time we were in Blackpool. Well we finally got there this weekend and it's been such a gorgeous, hot weekend and this morning we went to George's old place before setting off back to Leeds. We came back early so I could watch Wigan RL beat Wakey! Really hope you and your family are doing well Mr H. Sending lots of love to you all. Take good care, Teri 😘😘

[@MARKETMAN6789]

Enjoyed this video very much thank you

[@whiggygirl]

Fascinating video! Thank you very much. I am a lifelong fan of George Formby and my Dad and his Dad and all of my ancestors were born and raised in Wigan. I would absolutely LOVE to have a look around this house, it's a shame we can't see inside. If I get an opportunity I will try to visit just to drive past and have a look at the house just to see it from the outside. Thanks again for the wonderful video! It's turned out nice again! ;)

[@MrDavey2010]

I really enjoy your excellent videos. Well done!

[@NBMedia8928]

Wow didn't realise he was so young when he died. Very interesting video thanks for sharing

[@MrHsHotPot]

No I was also surprised at how young he was when he died Nosey B'Stard' 8928, his death was caused by a number of heart attacks sustained over the week before he died. I should imagine his lifestyle of smoking and drinking like most of the stars of the day didn't help, but I suppose it could be argued that they also didn't know any better back then. Anyway glad you enjoyed the video and all the best.

[@marcoscu]

Fascinating, many thanks.

[@MrHsHotPot]

No problem Mark, glad that you enjoyed the video. 👍

[@bigbernie7260]

George was carrying on with that younger woman before his wife died. Has the saying goes no fool like an old fool.

[@alfredlawrence3182]

Very interesting Mr H best wishes to your newborn and Missus.

[@MrHsHotPot]

Thanks for your well wishes from both myself and Mrs H Alfred Lawrence and glad to hear that you found this video interesting.

[@fredmuppet3077]

That was really interesting, thanks ! History on our doorstep :)

[@MrHsHotPot]

It's surprising what's on our doorsteps history wise Fred Muppet, unassuming things that we pass by every day are sometimes chock full of history and have a tale to tell.

[@johnjaycee]

i did hear that he was a bit of a skin flint and not how he was portrayed, he would give his wife a secret sign at parties and she would fain a headache and he would use her as an excuse to leave, also buy every one a drink in small pubs and pay by cheque knowing the landlord most times would put it up behind the bar and not cash it, even his grave stone is not his it's his dads he just has a small plaque on it. he knew how to work his p r

[@ballylad]

George Formby had a bungalow built for himself in Aughton with a huge swimming pool, he never did live there tho! True story!

[@hurleyflyer263]

I thought Les Dawson lived in Southport, I could be wrong Mr H . I loved the filem where George was in the TT .

[@MrHsHotPot]

Dunno if Les Dawson ever lived in Southport Hurley Flyer 2, but since the 1960's and up until his death 1993 he lived at a property called 'The Bumbles' in Lytham which he bought for £28,000.

[@Chris391971]

He used to also live on Mains Lane near to Poulton. I think it’s called Beryldene.

[@jaediccacairns4754]

All of George’s houses were called Beryldene. He was dominated by his wife Beryl who insisted on it. Sad that after she died, George found new love but died before they could set up together in a new home.

[@Jeffybonbon]

Houses are like a Birds Nest The Birds have flown who used the next ? and a new family moves in ? and then one day they are Gone All the time the House remains I still own my Mum and dads house from 1937 Good video nice to see 6K wow bargain is his Bentley still around ???

[@beerye9331]

There is something incredibly sad to me about this. To have your home with cherished memories invaded by auction crowds; it just seems impersonal and a bit predatory to me. Perhaps I put too much stock in what I would consider sacred. In essence, I suppose progress is our memorial grindstone. RIP George, from across the pond.

[@davidbutler4363]

Brilliant mr h 👍😁👏👏👏

[@0777cnut]

Perhaps do one on Lenny Bennets house in thornton cleveleys 👍

[@jubbaronny]

THE EQUALISER a mate and I when we were kids were walking passed his house whilst he was getting out of his car ( a Merc reg number GAG800) on the drive. My mate shouts, “tell us a joke Lennie”, he shouted back, “piss off!”. My mate shouts back, “fuck off yer wanker, yer jokes are shit anyway”. I was pissing myself laughing. My mate went back that night with a marker pen and drew nipples on the statues he had in his front garden. 🤣🤣

[@gwinniboots]

Interesting, thanks. 👍

[@levimacdonald5188]

Turned out nice again! 😂

[@nigelparslow1316]

Had you done a video of the other Beryldene?

[@neilt7191]

Well , the times i've passed that house - living just up the road - and i didnt know its history . 6 Grand... You wouldn't get it for that now , with a Lytham postcode . I expect you'll be getting a blue plaque one day Mr H , keep your drawers laundered fella 😁 .

[@MrHsHotPot]

There's a lesson to be learned for us all there regarding the soiled underwear Neil T. 😉 Six grand equates to roughly £166,300 today so it was definitely a bargain even back then. Apparently Joseph Locke was cash strapped at the time which was why he was forced to accept a grand less than he paid for it. I wonder if George gave his trademark wink and said "Turned out nice again hasn't it?" as they shook hands on the deal. Lol.

[@neilt7191]

@@MrHsHotPot As a Window Cleaner myself , I can't help but wonder if I should increase my fees Roy 👍🏼 Have a good weekend .

[@andaccount3]

Btw he had a rolls Royce silver dawn not a Bentley

[@MrHsHotPot]

Hi Purple Orange, I got my information for this video mainly from 'The George Formby Society' website which has a webpage dedicated to the auction which took place at your Great Great Aunt and Uncles home soon after George's death. On that page is the complete catalogue of over 1000 items that were auctioned off including a 'Bentley S.2 4-Door Saloon Motorcar' along with a promotional photograph of the vehicle outside of Beryldene for the auction catalogue. If you would like to view the auction catalogue and The George Formby Society's webpage on the auction it can be viewed here: www.georgeformby.co.uk/auction.htm

[@andaccount3]

Mr H's Hot Pot oh right. I’ll have a look at that. Thanks

[@clairebibby6198]

George harrison was a great can of george fornby and owned his uklenie.

[@OurHumbleLife]

Thank you! :)

[@vincentjohnson3763]

Loved it you certainly have a way with words

[@freeserve1942]

They all have nice 'clean' windows !

[@2012turok]

great vid from the car...this is history,

[@laurencekelly8858]

Great entertainer always remember little Albert

[@MrHsHotPot]

I think George Formby is vastly under rated Laurence Kelly but that's probably due to his murky past or rather his relatives murky past which casts a long shadow over his career sadly.

[@mandycoulbeck8692]

brilliant video

[@wantmot]

top left window hes looking out

[@singaporemick]

I was born in the old blacksmiths stables 3 church lane shevington.

[@MrHsHotPot]

We'll have to get Wigan Council to put up a blue plaque then I can do a video from there one day Mick. 😉

[@singaporemick]

@@MrHsHotPot You can get your own made and stick it up

[@MrHsHotPot]

Ha-ha thanks for the link Mick, I may just do that for a laugh. 😉

[@Jys71208]

Loved george formby

[@MrHsHotPot]

Yeah he was a good entertainer Jame, just a bit of a sad and undignified end really having all his possessions sold off like that thanks to the infighting and squabbling over his will.

[@stevesmith9602]

It’s a bit more plush than 3 Westminster Street in Newtown, where he was born, isn’t it?

[@MrHsHotPot]

Yeah Steve, he didn't do too bad for a Wigan lad did he? 😉 I often wondered why Wigan Council never officially honoured him but after researching his story and learning the darker side of George Formby's history I now know why. Still a legend though and I'd rather they honoured one of our own rather than George Orwell who basically rubbished the town.

[@zenithslocos]

I moved to wigan 7 years ago and often wondered why there isnt much formby about. There's a statue in the Grand Arcade and a blue plaque over the road from the big Tesco on a random wall. I dont think theres anything near or on Westminster street or whatever the road was called in Newton. It is sad that there isn't more about him here. Yes, he was a but of a "bad boy" compared to nowadays but he still shouldn't frowned upon.

[@jamesjessop4144]

He had a house with 1p pennies set into the kitchen worktops didn't he?

[@FSCforal]

got a few songs on my page

[@brianbrowett7371]

Thought he had house at mere

[@EnglishGrave]

Very interesting, thoroughly enjoyed.

[@lisawhitley4351]

George Formby 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 nooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@lisawhitley4351]

Rip George Formby 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😍😍😭😍😭😍😭😍😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@darrenlittle8704]

Where do you get your false information from. George had a house in wroxham

[@MrHsHotPot]

I suggest you Google 'George Formby's house Lytham St Annes' Darren, as it is well documented that both this house was George Formby's final home before his death in 1961 and that an auction of all his belongings took place there shortly after his death to settle his estate after his will was contested by his relatives. Plus that blue plaque on the wall at the end of the drive sort of gives it away don't you think?

[@MrDavey2010]

Before George moved here, he lived in the countryside near Garstang in a beautiful mansion. My family knew the house well but after George sold it on.

[@lisawhitley4351]

And Elvis Presley Rip😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🖤🖤🖤😍😍🖤🤭🤭😍😍😍😍🖤🤭🤭🖤😍🤭🤩🤩😍😭😭😭😭

[@lisawhitley4351]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤭😭🤭😭🤭😭🤭😭🤭😭🤭😭🖤😭🤭😭🤭😭🤭🤭😭🖤😍😍🖤😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍