Alan Yentob, a towering figure in British broadcasting and a creative force behind some of the BBC’s most influential programming, has died at the age of 78. His family confirmed that he passed away on May 24, 2025. His wife, Philippa Walker, remembered him as “curious, funny, annoying, late, and creative in every cell of his body,” adding, “he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide” .
Early Life and Education
Born on March 11, 1947, in Stepney, East London, to Iraqi Jewish parents, Yentob grew up in a family steeped in cultural richness. The family later moved to Manchester before returning to London. He attended King’s Ely School and studied law at the University of Leeds, where he became involved in student drama. After graduating in 1968, he joined the BBC as a trainee, notably as the only non-Oxbridge graduate in his cohort .
A Visionary Career at the BBC
Yentob’s BBC career spanned nearly six decades, during which he held numerous influential roles. He began as an assistant director on arts programmes and quickly rose through the ranks. As editor of the arts documentary series Arena from 1979, he transformed it into a critically acclaimed platform, earning multiple BAFTA nominations and awards .
In 1987, Yentob became one of the youngest controllers of BBC Two, where he commissioned groundbreaking programmes such as Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got News for You, and Wallace and Gromit. He later served as controller of BBC One and was instrumental in launching the children’s channels CBBC and CBeebies .
Yentob also returned to his roots in arts broadcasting, creating and presenting the long-running series Imagine, which profiled a wide range of cultural figures, including David Bowie, Maya Angelou, and Grayson Perry .
Controversies and Later Years
In 2015, Yentob stepped down from his role as the BBC’s creative director amid controversy over his involvement with the charity Kids Company, where he served as chairman. Despite the criticism, he continued to be celebrated for his contributions to broadcasting. In 2024, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the arts and media .
Tributes and Legacy
Tributes have poured in from across the media and arts communities. BBC Director-General Tim Davie described Yentob as “a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts,” adding that he was “a creative force and a cultural visionary” who “shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond” .
Yentob is survived by his wife, Philippa Walker, and their two children, Jacob and Bella. His legacy endures in the countless programmes he championed and the generations of creatives he inspired.