Legendary bookmaker and Channel 4 Racing stalwart Barry Dennis dies at the age of 83

Barry Dennis, the bookmaker who became a national figure through his frequent appearances on Channel 4 Racing, has died at the age of 83.

He bet on course for more than 40 years and his booming voice was a feature of many a betting ring, most notably at Lingfield where he rarely missed a meeting.

His opinionated style made him a natural for television and he was a familiar face on Channel 4's Morning Line programme for 15 years, forming a double act with betting expert John McCririck and famously nominating each Saturday 'Barry's Bismarck' – a favourite he expected to get beaten.

Dennis started on the back rows of the betting ring before a loan from leading jumps owner David Johnson allowed him to buy his way to the front, multiplying his turnover from about £2 million a year to £15m.

At his height he was betting at all the top meetings, driving 50,000 miles and working 300 days a year before he passed the business on to his son Patrick.

At the time of his retirement, fellow bookmaker Geoff Banks wrote in the Racing Post: "There are few enough characters left and Barry was certainly one of the best."

Ben Keith, the founder of Star Sports bookmakers, said on Wednesday: "It's very sad news. What a loss he is. I called him 'Barry the Bear' because he boomed out the prices.

"He had a big heart, that people didn't always see, and he was an absolute professional. He loved the game and gave so much to the ring. He was a Rolls Royce of an on-course bookmaker, he always laid a bet, he understood how to play to the crowd and he understood how to play to the TV audience with McCririck – they tag-teamed so well.

Barry Dennis with John McCririck at Goodwood in 2002Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He was the on-course bookmaker of his generation. There were people huddled around his pitch, they wanted to watch him. We should celebrate his life, he wouldn't want misery - when he was at his zenith he was a rock star and he was the real deal, there was no bullshit with him."

Mike Cattermole worked with Dennis on Channel 4 and paid tribute to his former colleague.

He said: "We had a lot of fun with Barry on Channel 4 and he fitted in well. He had great banter with all the presenters and particularly with John McCririck. They were a terrific pair.

"Barry was a larger than life character and a grafter. He had the stature you needed to be as successful in the betting ring as he was. I enjoyed his company – he was a proper bloke and a proper bookmaker."