One Christmas, Mr Bernard said, Harrison’s wife, Olivia, called to say a certain instrument in his collection would be the perfect present, and asked if she could buy it from him.

Mr Bernard agreed.

He said: “Some years later, George rang me and said Paul McCartney had visited him over the weekend, had been playing the ukes, and asked if he could have the one I had sold him.

“He had rang to say he hoped I wouldn’t mind terribly, but he hadn’t had the heart to say no.”

Paul McCartney went on to play the same ukulele at the memorial concert in 2002 – a year after Harrison’s death.

Mr Bernard will take to the stage with others representing the stages of Harrison’s musical life.

He said: “I don’t think George Formby had a stronger fan than George Harrison; he was absolutely over the moon with him.

“I’ve met hundreds of entertainers over the years and George was the most unassuming, natural, pleasant guy I have ever met.

“It was very sad when he passed away.

“He was a wonderful man and I understand why there has been so much enthusiasm to stage this concert.

“I’m delighted to come and play as part of it.”

For George concert organiser Denise Theophilus added: “George had a ukulele in every room – and he always travelled with not one, but two, just in case someone else fancied playing.

“It just emphasises how much he truly loved his music.”