George Formby at the Grandstand as George Shuttleworth

An exhibition marking the 90th anniversary of the release of one of the Isle of Man TT’s best loved tributes, 'No Limit' starring George Formby, opens at the Manx Museum on Saturday 24 May 2025. 

Directed by Monty Banks, ‘No Limit’ was made on location at the Isle of Man TT races. It was the first of eleven films that Formby made for Associated Talking Pictures and was the film that put him on the road to stardom.  In the role of George Shuttleworth, Formby famously took on the role of the chimney sweep from Wigan who dreamed of winning the Isle of Man TT.

Matthew Richardson, Curator for Social History at Manx National Heritage said:

“There can’t be many Isle of Man TT fans who haven't seen ‘No Limit’.  The film immortalised the TT years before names like Geoff Duke and Mike Hailwood made them famous.  It is a fascinating time capsule capturing a moment in the Island’s history when the TT races were the pinnacle of sporting achievement and Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ships brought over hundreds of thousands of visitors to Douglas for the holiday season”.

Partnering with the George Formby Society, highlights from the exhibition include a ukulele signed by George Formby, the original back bib worn by Manxman and film extra, Jack Cannell, and a selection of 1930s TT racing artefacts. 

To coincide with the exhibition, Manx National Heritage will host a special screening of No Limit on 27 July, followed by a two-day Ukulele Discovery Workshop on 30 July and 1 August 2025.  Tickets for the film and ukulele workshop are available at www.manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on.  

The exhibition is on display in the Cabinet of Curiosity at the Manx Museum until 14 September 2025, open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Admission to the exhibition is free, with donations welcome.