Former BBC Creative Director Alan Yentob passes away at 78

Yentob was instrumental in commissioning and overseeing numerous acclaimed programmes

by e4m Staff
Published: May 25, 2025 10:25 PM | 2 min read

Alan Yentob, the influential British broadcaster and former BBC executive, passed away on May 24, 2025, at the age of 78.

Born on March 11, 1947, in Stepney, London, to an Iraqi-Jewish family, Yentob joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968. Over nearly five decades, he rose through the ranks to hold several key positions, including controller of BBC Two and BBC One, director of television, and head of music and arts. In 2004, he was appointed as the BBC's creative director, a role he held until 2015.

Yentob was instrumental in commissioning and overseeing numerous acclaimed programmes, such as "Absolutely Fabulous," "Have I Got News for You," and the 1995 adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." He also played a pivotal role in launching the children's channels CBBC and CBeebies, significantly shaping the BBC's programming landscape.

In 2015, Yentob resigned from his role as creative director amid controversy surrounding his involvement with the charity Kids Company, where he served as chairman of the board of trustees. Despite the scrutiny, he continued to contribute to the BBC's arts programming.

In recognition of his contributions to the arts and media, Yentob was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2024.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie paid tribute to Yentob, calling him “a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts,” and “a creative force and a cultural visionary” who shaped decades of programming with a passion for storytelling and public service.