George Formby

Columbia Pictures hired him for a series with a handsome contract worth £500000 but decided not circulate his films in the US. In a BBC TV series Goodnight Sweetheart series 3 episode 6 Formby's achievements at entertaining the masses are recognised. The Thursday Next series of books by Jasper Fforde feature an octogenarian Formby as President of an alternative Britain; the character works to confront the traitorous politician Kaine.

He was a major star of stage and screen in the 1930s and 1940s. George Formby (26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961) was a British comedy actor singer-songwriter and comedian.