I thought talking to John Walley would follow the normal pattern for an interview: you know, date of birth, hobbies and interests, that sort of thing. I knew about his local reputation as a fine actor and his interest in comedian George Formby but what evolved in our meeting was nothing short of extraordinary and, in parts, quite moving. However, let’s start with his ukulele-playing hero.

Greatly admired

To members of the George Formby Society wherever they may be, John Walley is someone greatly admired for his devotion to the memory of their hero. John is a founder member who in September 1961 helped to form the George Formby Society and was made an honorary member in 1973. Moreover, when the society celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2011 John was presented with ‘The Golden Jubilee’ award and was honoured to be asked to switch on the famous Blackpool Illuminations. In a recent TV documentary the comedian Frank Skinner introduced him as ‘our George Formby mastermind.’ John was the secretary of the GFS from 1962-1973, edited the Vellum for seven years and usually arranged the programme for the weekend conventions in Blackpool. He suffered an ulcer in 1973 which plagued him constantly and forced him to miss several conventions. He says he still has ‘problems’ today but he hasn’t missed a meeting for over thirty years. When the society has a special occasion such as a particular birthday or anniversary then John comes to the fore and helps to arrange it all and presents the event. He is particularly interested in Formby’s films and says that he never tires of watching them for the hundredth time. He believes that George’s success on the screen (he was Britain’s top box-office star for six consecutive years) distinguishes him from all of his contemporaries, including Gracie Fields. I’m talking to John in his ‘den’ at his home where there are cupboards and drawers stuffed with Formby memorabilia: original photographs, songs copies, rare letters from George’s many admirers and pride of place in his ukulele collection is the uke George used in the film ‘Keep Your Seats Please’ to sing the iconic number ‘When I’m Cleaning Windows.’ Lots of items catch the eye: two telegrams from George’s mother arranging a visit to the GFS, a letter from George’s fiancé vPat Howson, a badge from the pre-war George Formby Club, letters from Reg Dixon (who took over from George in ‘Zip Goes A Million’,) Eddie Latta, from Ethel Formby (George’s sister), comedian Larry Grayson and Eric Maschwitz who wrote ‘Zip’ and even a lovely piece of correspondence from Buckingham Palace! But how did it all start?

In love with the theatre

For no reason he can think of, in the 1950’s John fell in love with the theatre. He had been given the leading roles in three school productions, which undoubtedly started it all, and in 1956 his parents took him to the Theatre Royal in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, to see a play starring George Formby. John says, “It was called ‘Too Young To Marry’ and halfway through George brought his uke out of a cupboard and sang and played. It was amazing! The play had to stop and I went home a Formby fan.” He had liked George years before but that was the first time he had seen him in the theatre and the love affair began. From then to the present day he has ‘lived and breathed Formby’. His expertise has been called upon many times. In 1991 he helped to organise the Formby Exhibition in Warrington, which celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of George’s death. In the same year John, the actor, was offered the leading role in ‘Zip Goes A Million’ at the Mitchel Memorial Theatre. Television appearances have included, ‘The Ukelele Man’ (1971), ‘Halls of Fame’ (1994), ‘Applause! Applause!’ (1967), ‘Forty Minutes (1982), ‘The South Bank Show’ (1992), ‘Going Live’ with Philip Schofield (1990), ‘Collectors’ Lot’ (1997),’ ‘Frank Skinner on George Formby’ (2010) and several radio programmes. His love for George has enabled him to meet many celebrities: Arthur Askey (‘lovely’), Jimmy Clitheroe (‘quiet and shy’), Ken Dodd (‘genuine’), Alan Whicker (‘aloof’), Betty Driver (‘nice’), Roy Hudd (‘a bit pompous’), American crooner Johnnie Ray (‘sweet’), Marti Webb (‘a bit aloof’), Anita Harris (‘lovely and modest’), old timer Leslie Sarony (‘rather fragile’), Alan Randall (‘a business man’), Eddie Latta (‘liked his whisky’), Pat Howson (‘seemed genuine’), and even George’s mother, his sisters, and his brother Frank. John looked quite embarrassed ‘dropping all these names’ but said that he enjoyed every minute! One event he is really ‘chuffed’ about is when the BBC, in 2004, instructed all its local radio stations nationwide to choose six people from their area to talk about their lives and interests under the running title of ‘The Century Speaks’- an in depth interview with people from all walks of life. Radio Stoke programme chose John and such was the quality of content and presentation that his reading was chosen out of several hundreds to be stored in the BBC archive in London. He admits being very lucky. Luck, however, played an enormous role in his early life and his story is rather moving so it is better told by himself.