Former BBC Executive Alan Yentob Dies Aged 78

Alan Yentob, a towering figure in British broadcasting and arts, passed away at age 78. Joining the BBC in 1968, Yentob held numerous senior roles including controller of BBC One and BBC Two, director of television, and creative director, where he championed originality and artistic ambition. He revitalized BBC Two with groundbreaking commissions such as Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got News for You, and launched CBBC and CBeebies, while also commissioning acclaimed dramas like Pride and Prejudice and Middlemarch. Known for his arts documentaries including Imagine and Arena, Yentob profiled legendary cultural figures like David Bowie and Maya Angelou, becoming a cultural visionary and mentor. His family described him as kind, curious, and creative, and BBC Director-General Tim Davie praised his lasting influence on British cultural life. Despite controversy around his association with the charity Kids Company, Yentob's legacy as a passionate advocate for storytelling and public service remains profound.