Musicians bring a little bit of Blackpool rock to Queen's birthday concert

George Formby enthusiasts Alan and Alyson Yates had a '˜once in a lifetime' outing this weekend - performing at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Queen's 92nd birthday celebrations.
Members of the George Formby Society - including Blackpool's Alan and Alyson Yates, circled - perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London during a star-studded concert to celebrate The Queen's Birthday Party as part of her 92nd birthday celebrations, fronted by Ed Balls, Frank Skinner and Harry HillMembers of the George Formby Society - including Blackpool's Alan and Alyson Yates, circled - perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London during a star-studded concert to celebrate The Queen's Birthday Party as part of her 92nd birthday celebrations, fronted by Ed Balls, Frank Skinner and Harry Hill
Members of the George Formby Society - including Blackpool's Alan and Alyson Yates, circled - perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London during a star-studded concert to celebrate The Queen's Birthday Party as part of her 92nd birthday celebrations, fronted by Ed Balls, Frank Skinner and Harry Hill

The Queen’s Birthday Party was on BBC One and Radio 2 on Saturday night, and the North Shore residents were among 40 members of the George Formby Society who performed When I’m Cleaning Windows, with comedians Frank Skinner and Harry Hill and ex-MP Ed Balls joining them, while Blackpool-born presenter Zoe Ball hosted the night and Fleetwood’s international singing star Alfie Boe also featured.

Alan, a professional entertainer, said: “It was fantastic. While we were on stage we had a clear view of the Queen, the royal family and all the heads of state.

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“We met almost all the celebrities and have a chat and photos with them backstage.

Alfie Boe performs at the Royal Albert Hall in London during a star-studded concert to celebrate The Queen's Birthday Party as part of her 92nd birthday celebrationsAlfie Boe performs at the Royal Albert Hall in London during a star-studded concert to celebrate The Queen's Birthday Party as part of her 92nd birthday celebrations
Alfie Boe performs at the Royal Albert Hall in London during a star-studded concert to celebrate The Queen's Birthday Party as part of her 92nd birthday celebrations

“I told Zoe Ball we’d been in the Blackpool Gazette, just before we went on stage, and I know Alfie from growing up and living in Fleetwood.

“Coming home on Sunday evening, and watching it back on TV, it really was a bit surreal."

Alan and Alyson met as toddlers, through their families’ involvement with the George Formby Society, which holds four weekend conventions in Blackpool each year, and they married nine years ago.