Alan Yentob, BBC Executive, Dies

Alan Yentob, a prominent former executive and TV presenter at the BBC, has died at the age of 78. His family announced his passing on Saturday, May 24. Yentob had a long and influential career at the BBC, joining in 1968 and holding various senior positions, including controller of BBC One and BBC Two, director of television, and head of music and arts. He was credited with revitalizing BBC Two with commissions like 'Absolutely Fabulous' and 'Have I Got News For You,' and also launched CBBC and CBeebies. His wife, Philippa Walker, and BBC director-general Tim Davie paid tribute to his creative vision and passion for storytelling. Yentob's career also included a period of scrutiny over his role as chairman of the charity Kids Company, which led to his resignation as BBC creative director in 2015. Despite this, he continued to produce content and was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2024 for his services to the arts and media.