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
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:
BBC TV Licence alternatives considered by Government
Labour responds to abolishing BBC TV licence for households
Gary Lineker to host his final Match Of The Day today amid exit from the BBC
'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
Rhyl Journal
22 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Lorde ‘pretty keen' to ‘pull some strings' and make Glastonbury appearance
This draws speculation as to whether the singer from New Zealand, who does not feature on the official line-up, will play during one of the slots marked TBA. The full scheduling for this year was announced earlier in the week and includes sets from Irish rap trio Kneecap and singer Charli XCX, as well as headline performances from British pop band The 1975, Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop singer Olivia Rodrigo. Asked if she would be playing at the festival, Lorde told Jo Whiley's BBC Radio 2 show: 'You know, I'm pretty keen, honestly. 'I feel like, because the album's going to be coming out, I am quite tempted by what's going on, because I've got lots of friends playing as well. We'll see if I can pull some strings and get there.' The 28-year-old is friends with a number of singers including Brat star Charli XCX, who is playing the Other Stage on the Saturday night. Earlier in the year, the British singer played at US festival Coachella where Lorde made an appearance to perform their collaborative version of Girl, So Confusing. The singer, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, has played at Glastonbury before and performed on the Other Stage in 2017 and the Pyramid Stage in 2022. Asked what it was like to walk onto the Pyramid Stage, she said: 'Absolutely unbelievable, enormous. I was shooketh at the scale. So many cameras … oh goodness. So beautiful, so amazing. 'In 2017 we played the Other Stage, which was so amazing, that was kind of sunset and very moody and just the best. It's the best festival in the world.' The singer shot to fame with her chart-topping single Royals in 2013, which was included in her album Pure Heroine. She has since released the albums Melodrama (2017) and Solar Power (2021), with her fourth studio album, Virgin, to be released on June 27. Glastonbury is running from June 25 to June 29 with performances from the likes of US rapper Doechii, UK singer Raye and veteran rocker Sir Rod Stewart, who will be playing during the coveted legends slot.
Scottish Sun
44 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Bargain Hunt star is JAILED for terror offence over plot involving priceless artwork and barbaric militant group
Art dealer raked in £140,000 from his crimes PRICE TO PAY Bargain Hunt star is JAILED for terror offence over plot involving priceless artwork and barbaric militant group A BARGAIN Hunt star has been jailed for a terror offence after flogging artwork to the backer of a barbaric militant group. Ochuko Ojiri - real name Oghenochuko Ojiri - was held following an investigation into terrorist financing. Advertisement 8 Ochuko Ojiri sold artwork to a Hezbollah backer Credit: Jon Bond 8 The star is known for his work on Bargain Hunt Credit: BBC 8 He was sentenced today He was the first person to be charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. Ojiri has now been jailed for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector. The TV star, who has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip, faced a maximum five years in prison for the offences, which took place between October 2020 to December 2021. Ojiri sold artwork to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a "major financial donor" for militant group Hezbollah. Advertisement Prosecutors in America believe Ahmad used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the organisation. At the time, Ojiri knew Ahmad had been sanctioned in the US and read news articles about him. Lyndon Harris, prosecuting, said previously: "There is one discussion where Mr Ojiri is party to a conversation where it is apparent a lot of people have known for years about his terrorism links." Mr Harris said that Ojiri "dealt with Mr Ahmad directly, negotiated the sales of artwork and congratulated him on those sales". Advertisement The total value of the artwork sold was around £140,000, with the art sent to Dubai, the UAE, or Beirut. Receipts released by the Met Police show the art included paintings by Charlie Roberts, Mónika Kárándi and an £8,500 piece by British artist Nigel Howlett. Ojiri also flogged a £12,000 bronze sculpture by the same artist, as well as four pieces by Max Rumbol totalling £15,700. One painting - Patty in Blue by Baldur Helgason - was sold to Ahmad for £20,000. Advertisement 8 Invoices showed a number of deals Ojiri made 8 He flogged a number of Max Rumbol pieces for more than £15,000 8 Ojiri made £140,000 in total from his crimes The court heard new money laundering regulations in January 2020 brought the art market under HMRC supervision. Advertisement Ojiri is said to have discussed the changes with a colleague - indicating awareness of the rules. His charge came following an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), part of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. The Treasury, HMRC and the Met's Arts & Antiques Unit were all also involved in the probe. Police raided two UK warehouses to seize a number of artwork from Ahmad in May 2023. Advertisement Among the pieces, which were not sold by Ojiri, were two Andy Warhol paintings and a Picasso painting. In total, the Met seized £1million in art, which was sold so the funds can be reinvested back to the police, CPS and Home Office. Ojiri was previously the owner of an art gallery called Pelicans and Parrots that was dubbed "the coolest place in London". He sold a curated selection of contemporary furniture, houseware, and gifts until the store closed in 2021. Advertisement The antiques expert first appeared on screens on BBC show Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. He then became a regular on popular daytime show Bargain Hunt, where he lends his expert advice to budding antique buyers. Ojiri has also appeared on Antiques Road Show - travelling across the country as he attempts to make a profit on forgotten items. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'This case is a great example of the work done by detectives in the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), based in the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. Advertisement 'The prosecution, using specific Terrorism Act legislation is the first of its kind, and should act as a warning to all art dealers that we can, and will, prosecute those who knowingly do business with people identified as funders of terrorist groups. 'Oghenochuko Ojiri wilfully obscured the fact he knew he was selling artwork to Nazem Ahmad, someone who has been sanctioned by the UK and US Treasury and described as a funder of the proscribed terrorist group Hizballah. 'Financial investigation is a crucial part of the counter terrorism effort. A team of specialist investigators, analysts and researchers in the NTFIU work all year round to prevent money from reaching the hands of terrorists or being used to fund terrorist attacks.' 8 Ojiri started his career as an art dealer Advertisement
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
BBC Bargain Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri jailed for terrorist financing
Bargain Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri has been jailed for failing to report a series of high-value art sales to a man suspected of being a Hezbollah financier. The art dealer, 53, pleaded guilty to eight counts under the Terrorism Act 2000 of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business. He has been sentenced to jail for two and a half years after selling artwork worth around £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a suspected financier for the Lebanese organisation. Ojiri has made regular appearances on the BBC programme as well as Antiques Road Trip. The 53-year-old, from west London, was charged following an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU), part of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, a Met Police statement reveals. He is the first person to be charged with a specific offence under Section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Described as an 'expert' in a Bargain Hunt Q&A on the BBC's website, Ojiri said he was 'absolutely obsessed' with collecting contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings. More Trending He also discusses his role and says his favourite parts of it are 'meeting new people, and breathing new life and context into forgotten and neglected treasures'. When asked why he chose a career in antiques, he said: 'No other industry would accept my rare mixture of sarcasm, cynicism and passion.' He also said he had 'no idea' why he became involved in Bargain Hunt, and would want to work in 'forecast trends' if not in antiques. View More » 'You're literally looking into the future, deciding what you'll eat before you're even hungry. Mind blowing.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC Bargain Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri pleads guilty to terrorist financing
