The Great Entertainer - The Denis Compton Story

John Bromley presents this affectionate profile of cricketer and footballer Denis Compton. Denis, widely regarded as England's greatest double international, won 78 caps at cricket and 12 in football, and here recalls the balmy summer of 1947 when he made a record 18 centuries, amongst other crowning glories from his sporting career.

[@borjastick]

I have my own Denis Compton story. I worked at an ad agency in London which was bought out and we were all moved to another building in the West End. I arrived at the new building for the first time and asked where my office was. It was on the first floor at the top of the stairs and my name was on a label on the door. So I walked up and sure enough my name was on the door. But next to my door was another with the name Denis Compton on it. I knew the name but not being a cricket fan didn't really let it bother me. About ten minutes later there was a knock on the interconnecting door between the two offices and in walked Denis Compton. He introduced himself, shook my hand and said 'Ian no doubt we will be good friends'. Thereafter every day he would come in have a chat, and sometimes ask me to accompany him down the street to the bookies. He was unsteady on his feet so would hold my arm as we walked along. We got on so well. He was a charmer and a gentleman. On one occasion we went to a corporate day at Kempton Park races. Various people came up to him and introduced themselves to the great man, he would shake their hand and then introduce me to them as 'my friend Ian'.

[@brianfarman2747]

My boyhood cricketing hero our Denis

[@daxashah1506]

One of the most handsome cricketer of all time.Truly called Brylcreem boy.Great cricketer.

[@peterbishop6613]

The nicest person ever to play cricket

[@garrington120]

What a lovely man

[@anthonystratton9927]

what a gifted cricketer and football player he was and such a gentleman. wish we had players like him and the marvellous character he was. alas the players today do not come no near to the charm that he presented

[@rogerwijesuriya7511]

Brilliant, Brilliant.

[@ysgol3]

Riveting. Thank you so much!

[@dennisthemenace57]

Cricket and cricketers were so much better then.. As was society. What have we allowed to happen?

[@kenclayton5088]

My dads hero

[@arslanMCL]

Good to see you making a return.

[@Billie0708]

Fantastic Video. Great Job Keep it up.

[@chubbychubbs5552]

Tom Graveney sold me a snooker cue in the 80s from his shop in Redditch, a really nice chap and a friend of my late uncle, the cue was up for £60 and had previously belonged to Peter Francisco, Tom was having a good chat with my uncle and when they’d finished their reminiscing he let me buy the cue for £30 and threw in a chalk which he signed...

[@alexmay8378]

Must have been a great experience? Great sportsmen were so modest, and generous in many ways, back then.

[@superbuddyfranklin]

49:02 Keith Miller at memorial for Compton.

[@cricket023]

He and his freind the great Keith Miller were giants of the game even though they played a lot of football..

[@marcusclark5330]

jimmy tarbuck gets everywher