I think Formby was really music-hall - for want of a better word. His first stage act was based on that of his father, George Formby Senior, who was a music-hall star in his own right. He died at a relatively young age, and George Junior took it over - until he found his own voice, as it were.

When you listen to late recordings of George Senior and early recordings of George Junior, the vocal resemblance is amazing.