BBC executive and former executive Alan Yentob died 78 years old

Former BBC executive and TV presenter Alan Yentob had died at the age of 78, his family had announced.

Yentob joined the BBC as a training participant in 1968 and held a position as a BBC One and BBC Two controller, Television Director, Head of Music and Arts, and Director of BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children.

The statement from his family, released by the BBC, said Yentob died on Saturday, May 24.

His wife Philippa Walker said: “For Jacob, Bella and I every day with Alan holding the promise of something unexpected. Our life is fun, he is fun.

“He is curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body. But more than that, he is the most kind -hearted man and a deep moral man. He leaves a trail of love one mile wide.”

During his term of office in BBC2, he was credited with a revitalization of channels with commissions as true -truly extraordinary, starring Jennifer Saunders and Dame Joanna Lumley, the Art series The Late Show and I had news for you, who then moved to BBC One.

He also launched CBBC and Cbeebies.

The drama commission includes Middlemarch and Pride and Prejudice-who strengthen the status of actor Colin Firth as Heartthrob-and Ballykissangel, and he also made the decision to cancel the Eldorado Set Spain in 1993.

He also previously edited and presented Imagine Art Documentary series from 2003.

In 2015 he resigned as the BBC creative director, said at that time that his role in Charity Kids Company was a “serious disorder”.

Yentob, who was the chairman of the trustees at the charity body, faced supervision of his role and claimed he tried to influence the scope of the corporation of the problem.

He always insisted there was no conflict of interest in his decision to call Newsnight about his investigation to a subsidiary company and did not “abuse my position on the BBC”.

Director General of BBC Team Davie said: “Alan Yentob is a high -rise figure in British broadcasting and art. Creative and visionary cultural power, he formed decades of programming on the BBC and surrounding areas, with a desire to tell stories and public services that left Abadi heritage.

“For nearly 60 years, Alan fought for originality, risk taking and artistic ambition. From the arena to imagine, from innovative commissioning drama to giving a sound that appeared a platform, its influence was woven into the fabric of British cultural life.

“He strongly believes in the role of the BBC as home to creativity, curiosity and art – can be accessed by everyone.

“But Alan is more than just a creative pioneer – he is an unforgettable presence. Interesting, intelligent and curious without stopping, he brings energy and warmth for every conversation. He is generous with time, fierce in his beliefs, and full of excitement in the work of others.

“Working with Alan must be inspired and encouraged to think bigger. He has a rare gift to identify talent and lift others – a mentor and champion for many people around the world of television, films and theater.

“Most importantly, Alan is the true original. His passion is not performance – it is personal. He believes in the power of cultural to enrich, challenge and connect us.

“We have lost one of the big creative spirits in our day. But the programs, votes, and generations he inspired, will live.

“Our mind with family and beloved people. Alan will be very missed as friends, colleagues, and one of the decisive figures in the story of English culture.”

Yentob was awarded a letter of honor Letters from De Montfort University, Leicester in 2005.

In 2024 he was appointed as the Commander of the British Royal Order (CBE) by the king for art and media services.

BBC Radio 4 presenter, Amol Rajan, paid homage to Yentob with videos on Instagram and information that described it as “a unique and kind man: an impossible impressario of the origin who is impossible to become a towering figure in post-war English culture.

“Modern art has never had a more loyal allies. The show is always brilliant, often a masterpiece, sometimes seminal. So many of the best TVs in the UK are more than 5 decades coming through their tables. It is the public Alan. Personally, he is magnetic, excited, and very funny, with a lossy voice and naughty cup.

“He issued fortitude until the last.

“He experienced his weaknesses and failures, but Alan Yentob was one of the most generous, influential, single, enthusiastic, enthusiastic, creative, and loved from his generation.

“I praise his enthusiasm for the living.”

John Simpson, presenter of the BBC Unspun World news program, told X: “Very sad to hear that my good friend Alan Yentob has died. He is a good company, and an extraordinary documentary interviewer and filmmaker. I will miss him so much.”

ITV News Political Editor, Robert Peston, also paid respect to the late announcer with a post about X which reads: “I am sad to know Alan Yentob’s death. It has been so influential during the BBC, through many tribes and changes in his personnel, quite extraordinary, without modern precedents. Condons are completed.”

Press Association