The George Formby Society was created after the death of George Formby, a well known entertainer in vaudeville and movies in Great Britain. When Formby died in 1961, a small group of fans, brought together by an ad in The Stage placed by Londoner George Wilson, met together in the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool to form the George Formby Society. The first meeting drew a lot of attention and many celebrities of the day were there, including Arthur Askey. Four conventions are held in Blackpool each year.
The society publishes a regular newsletter entitled "The Vellum." In 2011 the 'GFS' celebrated its Golden Jubilee, and today it has more than 1,200 members world-wide.
The various branches perform at local events, travel together and have regular 'thrashes' where everyone is welcome.
George Harrison was a fan of Formby, a member of the Society and an advocate of the ukulele. Harrison played an ukulele solo in the style of Formby at the end of "Free as a Bird". A member of the Society does not need to have musical ability to join the George Formby Society.