THIS week marks the 54th anniversary of the death of the man who used to love leaning on a lamp post.

Ukulele legend George Formby died on March 6, 1961, just days before his planned marriage to fiancee Pat Howson.

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Author Andrew Atkinson, who is writing a book entitled Formby’s Lost Love, tells us that George had booked the Moorcock Inn, at Waddington, to announce his engagement to Pat, who was 20 years his junior.

It was big news and local and national media descended on the hotel that night, February 14, 1961.

But three weeks later he died in a Preston Hospital, aged 56.

Andrew has traced Pat’s life – her father Fred, was general manager of a Loxhams car showroom, which had a garage in Blackburn – and her time with the star who also sang When I’m Cleaning Windows.

To order your copy of Formby’s Lost Love, contact Andrew at lancashiremedia@talktalk.net.

The entertainer had other connections with East Lancashire, through his first wife Beryl Ingham, who was born in Alliance Street, Baxenden, and later moved to Darwen.

Tony Thornton, who publishes the George Formby Society magazine, told us about his wooing of the world champion clog dancer in 1924.

It was on September 13 that George made his way to 5 Richmond Terrace, Darwen.

Legend has it that George, then 19, arrived at the house at 2am in a taxi, roused the sleeping family and declared: “I’ve come for Beryl and I want to marry her”.

Courting for some time, they had met while appearing at a theatre in Castleford, and for George it was love at first sight.

Beryl’s father ran the Black Bull Hotel, in Darwen, and George got to know him over a few pints. He would roll up to the pub on an old motorbike.

George said: “I decided all of a sudden to propose to Beryl. I hadn’t mentioned marriage to her before I went to Darwen that night, but somehow I don’t think she was surprised.”

In true romantic style, George stood under the window and serenaded his loved one on his ukulele, singing: “How I love these Darwen girls, With their bright and sunny curls, From their red and ruby lips, I get the taste of fish and chips.”

“Beryl, will you marry me?” he bawled. “All right,” said Beryl, “but come back in the morning!”

George returned at 7am and, accompanied by Beryl’s sister May and a special licence, they were married at the register office in Wigan at 10am.

According to another local tale, however, George and Beryl planned their elopement and were aided by Arthur Mellor, a carpenter who made the boards at the Royal Theatre, in Darwen, where Beryl and May tap danced as The Two Violets.

It’s claimed when George arrived at the house in the early hours, Arthur took a ladder on a pony and trap.

Beryl nipped down the ladder and off they went.

Added Tony: “Whatever the truth, two months later they were married again – this time in church.”

“He certainly picked the right lass, for it was Beryl who made him an international star.”

Photo caption: George Formby and Pat Howson celebrate their engagement in 1961 at The Moorcock Inn, Waddington, with a glass of sherry.

George and Beryl had a stage act until she became his manager. Pic courtesy the George Formby Society.