Alan Yentob, the former BBC executive and presenter, has passed away at the age of 78, his family has revealed.
In 1968, Alan became the controller of BBC One and BBC Two before he left the BBC as a trainee. He was the author of the beloved television series Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got News for You, and Colin Firth’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Additionally, he created CBBC and CBeebies.
For his contributions to the arts and media, Alan received a CBE on the 2024 birthday honours list.
His wife, Philippa Walker, remarked, “Every day with Alan, Jacob, Bella, and I had the promise of something unexpected. He and I both had exciting lives.
He had a curiosity, a funny, a late-night, and a creative soul throughout his entire body. He was a profoundly moral and kind man, but more than that, he was. A mile-long trail of love is left in his wake.
Alan Yentob was a renowned figure in British broadcasting and the arts, according to BBC Director-General Tim Davie. He was a creative force and cultural visionary who helped shape decades of BBC and other programming while also having a passion for telling stories and providing public service that left a lasting legacy.
“Alan has fought for almost 60 years for originality, risk-taking, and artistic ambition.” His influence is woven into British cultural life from Arena to Imagine, from commissioning groundbreaking drama to providing a platform for emerging voices.
He firmly believed in the BBC’s role as a welcoming place for creativity, curiosity, and the arts.
“Alan was an unmistakable presence, not just a pioneering creative,” he continued. He brought warmth and energy to every conversation, being witty, and ever-evolving. He gave generously of his time, fought for what he believed, and supported other people’s efforts.
To work with Alan was to be inspired and spurred on to think more. He was a mentor and champion for so many people in the fields of television, film, and theater, and had a unique gift for identifying talent and inspiring others.
“An excellent original, above all. His passion was personal, not performative. He attributed this to culture’s ability to enrich, challenge, and connect us.
One of our generation’s most outstanding creative minds has passed away. However, his legacy will continue with his programs, his voice, and the generations he inspired.
“His family and loved ones are in our thoughts.” Alan will be greatly missed as a friend, colleague, and key figure in British culture.
Source: Mirror
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