The influential BBC broadcaster Alan Yentob, who profiled numerous main artists over a number of a long time, has died on the age of 78.
He helmed quite a few tv arts reveals, together with Think about, Omnibus and Enviornment, and have become identified for his in-depth interviews with figures like David Bowie, Jay-Z, Leonard Cohen, Grayson Perry, Salman Rushdie and Orson Welles.
Yentob was additionally a high-ranking government on the BBC, together with spells controlling BBC One and Two, throughout which period he additionally oversaw the commissioning of many longstanding cultural programmes, notably Later…With Jools Holland in 1992.
The information was confirmed in a press release from his household, who stated that he handed away on Saturday (Might 24). His spouse Philippa Walker stated: “For Jacob, Bella and I each say with Alan had the promise of one thing surprising. Our life was thrilling, he was thrilling.”
“He was curious, humorous, annoying, late and inventive in each cell of his physique. However greater than that, he was the kindest of males and a profoundly ethical man. He leaves in his wake a path of affection a mile huge.”
Born in London in 1947 into an Iraqi Jewish household, he joined the BBC World Service in 1968 as a manufacturing assistant and landed his first main function because the editor of Enviornment in 1975.
Launched that yr, his documentary movie Cracked Actor profiled David Bowie throughout his Diamond Canines tour within the US, a interval throughout which he was scuffling with cocaine habit. Showcasing Bowie’s fragile psychological state and inventive inspirations, it turned one of many defining depictions of Bowie’s profession.
Yentob routinely focused musicians as topics for his documentaries and he oversaw the launch of Later…With Jools Holland whereas controlling BBC Two, a present that’s presently in its 66th season on the air. Throughout his time answerable for BBC One, he commissioned acclaimed reveals reminiscent of Our Pals In The North and Completely Fabulous, and he additionally launched CBBC and CBeebies.
See some reactions to Yentob’s passing beneath.
“To work with Alan was to be impressed and inspired to assume greater”
Director-Basic Tim Davie pays tribute to Alan Yentob, “one of many defining figures within the story of British tradition”
Extra: https://t.co/yPWt5OEAf2 pic.twitter.com/64fW8E3oGt
— BBC Press Workplace (@bbcpress) Might 25, 2025
R.I.P. ALAN YENTOB
Unhappy to study of the passing of Alan Yentob, the long-serving BBC arts broadcaster and documentary-maker, who has died aged 78.
Bowie followers turned conscious of Yentob’s fifty-minute BBC 1 Cracked Actor documentary, when it first aired fifty years in the past in January… pic.twitter.com/xxkyfdxuDK
— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) Might 25, 2025
We’ve misplaced a tip prime chap. Our advocate from the beginning… Alan Yentob. pic.twitter.com/x7bs4FvM88
— Daybreak French 💙🔴🏳️🌈🇺🇦 (@Dawn_French) Might 25, 2025
Very unhappy to listen to in regards to the demise of Alan Yentob. Right here he’s backstage after considered one of my reveals, being extremely supportive, as he all the time was. A beautiful man, and a king of TV. pic.twitter.com/sHhCqsffk7
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) Might 25, 2025
Alan Yentob was a considered one of a form documentary maker, a simple broadcaster and had such an inquisitive thoughts. Knew how you can make tv attention-grabbing and thought upsetting.
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) Might 25, 2025
Yentob resigned from his function because the BBC’s artistic director in 2015 after going through scrutiny for his function as chairmen of Youngsters Firm, a charity accused of monetary mismanagement.
He’s survived by his spouse Philippa Walker and their two kids.
