I went to lecture by the Lancashire Dialect Society, s few years ago at Fylde FF. Formby was alluded to as an embodiment of a character who has appeared in Lancashire folk tales from as long ago as the 17th century.

Namely the apparently naive fool - who is not such a fool as we are led to believe by the story teller.

The humour is very knowing. The deep cultural roots of the role Formby played - (almost certainly without crerebrating on the matter) - informs his performance at a very deep level, and that's maybe why it worked so well, for so many people. Not everyone is required to be a fan though.

Was it Eric Morecambe who said - George had a way with a song, but when not singing he was about as funny as a cry for help.