Veteran arts broadcaster and former BBC creative director Alan Yentob has died aged 78, leaving a rich legacy of television innovation.
Alan Yentob, the towering figure of British arts broadcasting whose name became synonymous with the BBC’s cultural programming, has died at the age of 78. The creative force behind Imagine, Omnibus, and Arena, Yentob shaped the artistic consciousness of generations through interviews, documentaries, and television commissions that defined the public broadcaster’s creative edge.
Across a career spanning more than five decades, Yentob profiled some of the most iconic figures of the modern age. From an intimately fragile David Bowie in Cracked Actor to candid conversations with Salman Rushdie, Maya Angelou, Beyoncé, and Orson Welles, Yentob’s documentaries often revealed their subjects at their most complex and human.
Announcing his death, his wife, TV producer Philippa Walker, described him as “curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body”, calling him “the kindest of men”.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie led the tributes, calling him “a creative force and cultural visionary” and praising his legacy of “originality, risk-taking and artistic ambition.” Davie added: “To work with Alan was to be inspired and encouraged to think bigger. His passion wasn’t performative — it was personal.”
Yentob’s early years at the BBC saw him rise quickly through the ranks. Appointed controller of BBC Two in 1988, he was one of the youngest to hold the role. His tenure ushered in now-legendary shows such as Absolutely Fabulous, The Late Show, and Have I Got News for You. His success continued with a promotion to controller of BBC One in 1993, and later as director of television programmes and, eventually, creative director of the corporation in 2004.
But Yentob never left the screen behind. His flagship arts series Imagine ran for two decades, ending only recently with a profile of comedy duo French & Saunders. Known for his charisma and cultural insight, Yentob often struck personal relationships with his subjects. His 1975 Cracked Actor profile of Bowie is still hailed as a masterpiece — capturing the singer’s brilliance and vulnerability amid the haze of drug addiction.
The arts world was swift to honour his memory. Dawn French posted a photo with Yentob and Jennifer Saunders, saying: “We’ve lost a tip top chap. Our advocate from the start.” The Pet Shop Boys described him as “a legend in British TV”, while David Baddiel called him “a king of TV”.
BBC Radio 4’s Amol Rajan reflected on Yentob’s unique cultural status: “An improbable impresario from unlikely origins who became a towering figure in the culture of post-war Britain.”
Yet his career was not without controversy. In 2015, Yentob resigned as creative director after criticism over his chairmanship of Kids Company, the charity that collapsed amid questions over financial governance. Though he faced accusations of interfering with BBC coverage of the affair, an internal review found no evidence he had influenced reporting. In 2021, he and fellow trustees were cleared of any personal wrongdoing.
His legacy, however, remained untarnished in the eyes of many. In 2024, Yentob was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to arts and media — an honour marking his immense contribution to the UK’s cultural fabric.
Yentob is survived by his wife, Philippa, and their two children. His voice, often heard narrating the BBC’s greatest arts programming, may have fallen silent — but the legacy of his vision, curiosity, and passion will resonate for years to come
