Legendary BBC creative director Alan Yentob has died at age 78, his family confirmed today.
Alan Yentob passed away on Saturday, 24 May 2025, leaving behind a legacy that shaped British broadcasting for over half a century. His wife, Philippa Walker, paid tribute with moving words:
“For Jacob, Bella and I, every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected… He was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide.”
A Career That Defined the BBC
Yentob joined the BBC in 1968 as a trainee, rising to hold several of its most senior roles:
- Controller of BBC One and BBC Two
- Head of Music and Arts
- Director of Drama, Entertainment and Children’s
- Creative Director of the BBC
He was known for his creative risk-taking, having commissioned cultural milestones like:
- Absolutely Fabulous
- Have I Got News For You
- Pride and Prejudice
- The launch of CBBC and CBeebies
He also served as the face and mind behind the celebrated arts programmes Arena and Imagine.
Tributes from the BBC
BBC Director-General Tim Davie honoured Yentob’s legacy in a public statement:
“Alan Yentob was a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts… He believed in the BBC’s role as a home for creativity, curiosity, and the arts — accessible to all.”
Davie continued:
“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… We have lost one of the great creative spirits of our time.”
Remembering a Cultural Visionary
Known for his distinctive wit and curious intellect, Yentob was widely regarded as a mentor and cultural force, helping shape modern British television and amplifying new voices in arts and media. His work reflected a deep belief in the power of culture to challenge, connect, and enrich lives.
