Alan Yentob, BBC Presenter Who Chronicled David Bowie, Dies at 78
Alan Yentob, a former BBC arts broadcaster and documentarian, died Saturday at age 78.
News of Yentob's death was confirmed by the BBC and Yentob's family. Yentob's wife Philippa Walker said he was 'the kindest of men' and 'curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body.'
Yentob spoke to cultural icons such as David Bowie and Maya Angelou throughout his career, and also served as the controller of BBC One and Two.
'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,' said BBC director-general Tim Davie. '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.'
Yentob was well-known for his 1975 feature about Bowie, 'Cracked Actor,' which documented the singer during an intense period of addiction.
'Everyone at Two Daughters Entertainment is devastated by the news of Alan's passing. We were incredibly fortunate to have had Alan work with us over the past few years as our Creative Director and Board Director,' said James Reatchlous, founder and executive director of Two Daughters Entertainment, in a statement shared with the TheWrap.
'Alan was a loyal friend, a passionate supporter of Two Daughters, and someone whose creativity, wisdom, and generosity of spirit had a profound influence on our company. His belief in our vision helped shape who we are today. Through his extraordinary career and deep relationships across the creative world, Alan brought remarkable talent into our orbit — including legends like Mel Brooks and Tim Rice, who joined recent projects thanks to his encouragement and belief in our work.'
'He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and worked with him,' Reatchlous continued. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Philippa, and their children, Jacob and Bella. We are thinking of them above all else at this very difficult time.'
Alan Yentob is survived by his wife Philippa and their children.
The post Alan Yentob, BBC Presenter Who Chronicled David Bowie, Dies at 78 appeared first on TheWrap.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
AP PHOTOS: David Beckham to be awarded a knighthood by King Charles
London, ENGLAND (AP) — David Beckham, the former England soccer captain who has been an ambassador for the U.N. children's fund for two decades, is to receive a knighthood in next week's honors list from King Charles III, according to U.K. media reports Friday. Without citing sources, the BBC said Beckham is set to receive further recognition both for his soccer career, and his contributions to British society. ____ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
David Beckham to Be Knighted by King Charles, with Wife Victoria Becoming ‘Lady Beckham': Reports
David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood in King Charles' birthday honors list next week The recognition will result in his wife, Victoria Beckham, being called Lady Beckham The former soccer player, 50, was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire), back in 2003David Beckham is reportedly going to receive a knighthood in King Charles' birthday honors list next week. The Inter Miami CF and Salford City co-owner, 50, will be awarded for his soccer career and contribution to British society, according to BBC and U.K. newspaper The Times. The recognition will result in his wife, Victoria Beckham, being called Lady Beckham. Representatives for David did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on June 6. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The knighthood comes after David received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) back in 2003. The former Manchester United player was put forward to receive a knighthood over ten years ago, with a nomination in 2011, U.K. newspaper The Guardian reported. Alongside playing for England's national soccer team over 100 times, David has become known for his charitable work with children from underprivileged backgrounds. He has been an ambassador for UNICEF since 2005 and played an important role in the 2012 Olympics, per the BBC. David also signed on as ambassador for the King's Foundation in 2024. "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work," David said in a statement at the time. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programs and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature," he continued. ! "Having developed a love for the countryside, I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work," David added. Last month, he joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in London. David was spotted wearing a new rose named in the King's honor as they spoke at the Highgrove shop stand. He was equally polished while attending the King's Foundation's U.K.-Italy celebratory dinner at Highgrove House alongside Victoria, 51, in February. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Couples Therapy' Renewed for Season 5 Following 30% Surge in Viewership
'Couples Therapy' has been renewed for Season 5 by Paramount+ with Showtime, TheWrap has exclusively learned. This decision comes after the documentary series saw a significant boost during its fourth season. The premiere episode for the second half of Season 4 delivered a 30% increase on cross-platform viewership compared to the premiere for the prior season. 'Couples Therapy' scored its renewal as the series is in the middle of airing its fourth season, which returned on May 23. All episodes are currently available to watch on Paramount+ with Showtime with new episodes premiering on Fridays. 'Couples Therapy' first premiered in 2019 and follows the work of Dr. Orna Guralnik. Each season jumps between three or four different couples as they participate in a 20-week therapy program. Not all parts of these sessions are shown, but the point of the series is to chronicle the deep and often messy work that therapy requires rather than presenting audiences with another overly dramatized or sanitized version of therapy. With cameras hidden behind a one-way mirror, the series gives viewers an intimate look into these couples' conflicts and their personal breakthroughs. The documentary series has long been a critical darling. In 2021, 'Couples Therapy' won the Television Critics Association (TCA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming, and in 2024, it won the American Cinema Editors (ACE) Award for Best Edited Non-Scripted Series. The show has also been nominated by the International Documentary Association, the Cinema Eye Honor Awards and the Critics Choice Real TV Awards. 'Couples Therapy' is produced by Edgeline Films. Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg and Eli Despres, known for their work on 'Weiner' and 'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show,' serve as the series' executive producers alongside Vinnie Malhotra. Matt Parker, Bennett Elliott and Carly Hugo produce the second installment of Season 4, which is directed by Pax Wassermann and Bennett Elliott. Paramount Global Content Distribution distributes the series. The post 'Couples Therapy' Renewed for Season 5 Following 30% Surge in Viewership | Exclusive appeared first on TheWrap.
