
Broadcaster and BBC executive Alan Yentob has died aged 78
Alan died on Saturday, May 24, with his wife Philippa Walker sharing an emotional tribute to her late husband: "For Jacob, Bella and I every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected.
"Our life was exciting, he was exciting.
'He was curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body.
"But more than that, he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man.
"He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide.'
"To work with Alan was to be inspired and encouraged to think bigger"
Director-General Tim Davie pays tribute to Alan Yentob, "one of the defining figures in the story of British culture"
More: https://t.co/yPWt5OEAf2 pic.twitter.com/64fW8E3oGt — BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) May 25, 2025
Broadcaster Alan Yentob dies aged 78
Alan first worked at the BBC as a trainee in 1968 and throughout his time with the broadcaster had an impressive career.
He held several senior roles, including controller of BBC One and BBC Two; Director of Television, Head of Music and Arts; Director of BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children's, and Creative Director.
During his career at the BBC, Alan commissioned shows like Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got News For You and Pride and Prejudice, along with helping launch CBBC and CBeebies.
Sharing a tribute to the late broadcaster, BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: 'Alan Yentob was a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts.
"A creative force and a cultural visionary, he shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond, with a passion for storytelling and public service that leave a lasting legacy.
'For nearly 60 years Alan championed originality, risk-taking and artistic ambition. From Arena to Imagine, from commissioning groundbreaking drama to giving emerging voices a platform, his influence is woven into the fabric of British cultural life.
'He believed profoundly in the BBC's role as a home for creativity, curiosity and the arts - accessible to all.
'But Alan was more than a pioneering creative - he was an unforgettable presence. Engaging, witty and endlessly curious, he brought energy and warmth to every conversation. He was generous with his time, fierce in his convictions, and full of joy in the work of others.
Recommended reading:
'To work with Alan was to be inspired and encouraged to think bigger. He had a rare gift for identifying talent and lifting others up - a mentor and champion to so many across the worlds of television, film and theatre.
'Above all, Alan was a true original. His passion wasn't performative - it was personal. He believed in the power of culture to enrich, challenge and connect us.
'We have lost one of the great creative spirits of our time. But his programmes, his voice, and the generations he inspired, will live on.
'Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Alan will be hugely missed as a friend, a colleague, and one of the defining figures in the story of British culture.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
World of Secrets The Killing Call: 3. The gangsters
Thousands from across India crowd the streets for Sidhu Moose Wala's funeral, to grieve one of Punjab's famous sons. Millions more watch. Flowers are thrown at the coffin, pulled by his favourite tractor. Amongst the grief are anger and unanswered questions– why was he not better protected? And we find out more about the world he was caught up in. Presented by broadcaster and DJ Bobby Friction and investigative journalist Ishleen Kaur. Season 8 of World of Secrets, The Killing Call, is a BBC Eye investigation for the BBC World Service. Archive audio credits: NDTV, India Today, Pun Yaab, Lovepreet Waraich, BritAsiaTV, CBC, CTV, WION


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Huw Edwards slashes price of his £4.75million family home AGAIN and his 'divorce has been delayed'
Disgraced ex- BBC presenter Huw Edwards has reportedly been forced to delay his divorce and cannot find a buyer for his £4.75million mansion. The six-bedroom detached property in Dulwich, south London, was put on the market last October after wife Vicky Flind filed for divorce from the former TV front man. The twisted newsreader and his wife first bought the sprawling home for £1.85million in 2006, 13 years after they tied the knot. But after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children last July, it was reported that Ms Flind, who is the mother of Edwards' five children, split from her husband and kicked him out of the home. It is understood the mortgage on the property has been fully paid off, meaning a sale will give him a bumper pay-day of around £2million now he is without his £475,000 salary. However, the sale appears to proving more difficult than first expected due to fears the home has been blighted by Edwards' reputation, according to The Sun. There is such little interest in the house that prospective buyers are being told by property website Zoopla that they would be 'one of the first' to view the 'hidden gem', nine months after it was first listed for sale. And they have even slashed the asking price by a whopping £750,000. The six-bedroom detached property in Dulwich, south London, was put on the market last October after Edwards' wife filed for divorce Estate agents in February were willing to accept £4.5million for the property, but dwindling interest has seen this cut to £4million. In an attempt to drum up interest in the south London home, they described it as being situated 'on one of Dulwich's most desirable residential roads'. They say the house, which is kitted out with three bathrooms and three reception rooms across its 4200 sq ft, is 'a substantial detached mid-century family house' with 'exceptionally spacious living accommodation'. An extract from the listing reads: 'The ground floor has a spacious reception hall, three reception rooms, recently re-fitted kitchen/dining room, office/library, cloakroom, utility room and downstairs WC. 'On the first floor there are four double bedrooms, one with en-suite bathroom and separate dressing room and a family bathroom. 'The second floor has two double bedrooms and a bathroom. Externally to the rear there is a most delightful, mature garden.' The Sun also reported that no decree absolute had been provided to end Edwards' 32-year marriage to Ms Find as of June 5. They say it is unclear whether problems with the sale were a factor in the divorce, which was expected to have been finalised earlier this year.


Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Did the dancing Queen put in a good word? Strictly's Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly to be awarded top gongs in King's Birthday Honours list
They are the ultimate double act as television's trailblazing all-female presenting duo. So how fitting for Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will both be awarded with top gongs in the upcoming King's Birthday Honours, the Mail can reveal. The King and the Queen are dedicated watchers of the BBC dance programme, which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary, and will bestow the honours on the long-time presenters. The pair have been part of the Strictly team since its launch in 2004, with Ms Daly, 56, presenting the main show with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Ms Winkleman, 53, hosting the BBC2 spin-off It Takes Two. After impressing BBC bosses, Ms Winkleman was promoted to hosting the Sunday results show alongside Ms Daly before becoming the main co-host in 2014 following the departure of Sir Bruce when he reduced his workload. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Last year, the Queen described herself as 'one of Strictly's greatest fans' and told Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe 'we all watch it'. Ms Daly's husband the BBC radio presenter Vernon Kay has previously talked of the 'real friendship' that has formed between his wife and Her Majesty, with the Queen even keen to know what goes on behind-the-scenes. Kay, 51, said: 'Camilla and Tess have a real friendship through it now. They don't text, but we have mutual friends and messages come through. 'When they see each other, the Queen is always asking: 'Who is your favourite?' She wants to know the backstage gossip. 'It's crazy to think of the King and Queen sat on the sofa with a brew watching your wife present Strictly.' Her Majesty hosted a palace tea party for Strictly where she danced with former professional Brendan Cole, been in the audience and filmed a video message for the 2020 final, which was won by Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse. The Queen is a keen dancer who has attended Silver Swans, classes for elderly ballet dancers run by the Royal Academy of Dance. The news will also bring some joy to the Strictly team after a difficult few years as it faced a number of complaints about mistreatment on the show, which led to the departures of professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima last year. While celebrities Wynne Evans and Jamie Borthwick have also faced accusations of inappropriate behavior on this year's Strictly tour. The Queen is a keen dancer who has attended Silver Swans, classes for elderly ballet dancers run by the Royal Academy of Dance (pictured dancing with the late Strictly judge Len Goodman in 2019) Both Strictly hosts engage in charity work including Daly, who is a proud supporter of the King's Trust and patron of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, and Winkleman, who is a patron of Child Bereavement UK and Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity. David Beckham is set to be awarded with a knighthood when the full King's Birthday Honour's List is unveiled on Saturday. A Whitehall source said: 'It is the most showbiz list for years, and you don't get glitzier than Strictly Come Dancing.'