George Formby was one of Warrington's favourite faces

George Formby was born in 1904 on May 26.

So to mark the occasion, we have delved into our archives to tell his story.

The legendary comedian was born in Wigan moved into the Hillcrest property on London Road in Stockton Heath, with his family as a teenager in 1917.

To talk about George Formby you of course first need to introduce his father George Formby Senior.

He was also a Wiganer, born James Lawler Booth, and went on to become a smash music hall comedian and singer in the early part of the 20th century.

So famous and popular was he that a young Charlie Chaplin borrowed some of his act for his own early days with the Fred Karno troupe.

Formby Snr made a stack of money and bought an expensive house in Stockton Heath, Hillcrest, which is on London Road, now home to offices after a brief spell as a hotel. Sadly, in 1921, Formby Snr died aged 45.

A plaque was revealed in 2013

His death had a profound effect on his son, George Hoy Booth, who was still a teenager. Whether it was the weight of expectation after his father’s death, trainee jockey George junior began performing on stage, originally under the name George Hoy, and his new career began.

His first appearance was at the Earlestown Hippodrome.

Shortly afterwards two events set him on the path to world fame and fortune.

First, he revived the George Formby name in honour of his father, and second he took up the ukulele. Young George was taught how to play the instrument by his mother, Eliza, at the family home in Stockton Heath.

George made another fateful decision. He married Beryl Ingham, who became his manager.

It’s well known that Beryl was overbearing while George was compliant and submissive. Nevertheless, the combination was electrifying and George went on to become a hugely successful recording artist and movie star.

He’s remembered now for such classics as Leaning On A Lamp Post, and When I’m Cleaning Windows. The films he appeared in include Turned Out Nice Again, which was George’s famous catchphrase.

Along with Gracie Fields and Vera Lynn, George Formby was one of the entertainers who kept up people’s spirits during the Second World War.

George’s marriage to Beryl had been a successful one, but not happy. She died in December 1960 while George was in panto in Bristol.

In mid-February 1961 he announced his engagement to Pat Howson, a teacher from Preston who had known the comedian for years as her dad was a car salesman.

Unfortunately, within days he suffered a severe coronary thrombosis and was taken to hospital.

He appeared to be on the mend, so much so that he had asked his fiancee to buy a wedding ring so they could be married on his release from hospital.

Tragically he suffered a relapse and died on March 6, 1961, shortly after Miss Howson had visited him.

His grave at Warrington Cemetery

His funeral attracted huge crowds and 1,000s lined the route on his journey to Warrington Cemetery on Manchester Road and the family grave.

Hie popularity endures however.

In 1991, Warrington Museum staged a fascinating exhibition about George Formby which was attended by thousands.

And in 2007 super fan Frank Skinner made a documentary of his life.

Frank Skinner was a fan and filmed a BBC documentary on his life