'A cultural visionary': Alan Yentob, former BBC executive and presenter, dies at 78

Alan Yentob, the former BBC executive and TV presenter, has died at the age of 78, his family has announced.

- Nadia Khomami

A statement from his family, released by the BBC, said Yentob died on Saturday.

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."

Yentob joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968 and went on to hold a number of senior and influential positions, including controller of BBC One and BBC Two; director of television; head of music and arts; director of BBC drama, entertainment and children's; and creative director.

His commissions included Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got News for You and the classic adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. He also launched CBBC and CBeebies.

He made his name on the 1970s BBC series Omnibus and Arena, and edited and presented the arts documentary series Imagine from 2003.

The BBC director general, Tim Davie, called Yentob "a towering figure" in broadcasting and the arts and "one of the defining figures in the story of British culture".

"A creative force and a cultural visionary, he shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond, with a passion for storytelling and public service that leave a lasting legacy," Davie said.