Former BBC executive and television presenter Alan Yentob has passed away at the age of 78, his family has confirmed.

Yentob began his career at the BBC as a trainee in 1968 and went on to hold a number of senior roles, including controller of BBC One and BBC Two, director of television, head of music and arts, and director of BBC drama, entertainment, and children’s programming.

His family released a statement announcing the presenter passed away on May 24.

His wife Philippa Walker said: “For Jacob, Bella and I every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected. Our life was exciting, he was exciting.

“He was curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body. But more than that, he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide.”

While at BBC Two, Yentob was widely credited with revitalising the channel, commissioning a range of successful programmes including Absolutely Fabulous, starring Jennifer Saunders and Dame Joanna Lumley, arts series The Late Show, and Have I Got News For You, which later moved to BBC One.

He also played a pivotal role in launching children’s networks CBBC and CBeebies.

His drama commissions included adaptations such as Middlemarch and Pride And Prejudice, as well as Ballykissangel.

Yentob also made the decision to cancel the Spanish-set soap Eldorado in 1993.

In addition to his commissioning work, he edited and presented the long-running arts documentary series Imagine from 2003.

In 2015, Yentob stepped down from his role as BBC creative director, describing his involvement with the charity Kids Company as a “serious distraction.”

As chairman of the charity’s trustees, he faced scrutiny over his role, as well as accusations that he had attempted to influence BBC coverage of the charity’s struggles.

More to follow…