Steve Palmer: unashamedly shout it from the rooftops - betting is ruddy great fun

The betting world lost another immense character on Wednesday when Barry Dennis died at the age of 83 – the legendary bookmaker having enjoyed a long life as a well-known figure at British horse racing tracks.

If you watch the 1999 documentary Bookies Never Lose, which can be found on YouTube, you see Barry in full flow. He clearly relished action-packed days, attacking from all angles, having little time for sleep or idleness.

The fact that Barry had such longevity, despite admittedly existing on a diet of steak, eggs and scotch in his early years, shows, in my opinion, that being involved in the cut and thrust of the betting jungle can be good for you. Barry loved the buzz and excitement of bookmaking and lived to a grand old age to tell the tale of his adventures.