Alan Yentob, the long-serving BBC arts broadcaster and documentary-maker, has died aged 78.
Yentob profiled and interviewed a wide range of important cultural and creative figures over the years, including David Bowie, Charles Saatchi, Maya Angelou and Grayson Perry, for TV series such as Omnibus, Arena and Imagine.
He also served as controller of BBC One and Two, and the organisation's creative director and head of music and arts during a long and varied career.
Paying tribute to her late husband, Philippa Walker described Yentob as "curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body" and added that he was "the kindest of men"...
Posted by Mark Doran on May 25, 2025, 3:47 pm, in reply to "'E's Gorn..."
In his 47-year career at the BBC, Yentob accumulated a pension pot worth approximately £6.3 million. (This would yield an annual retirement income exceeding £215,000.) Despite the substantial pension, Yentob continued working for the BBC after stepping down from his executive role in 2015.
Nice work if you can get it after retirement age, and get paid twice in the process...
M.
Re: the vicar of bray.nm
Posted by Sir Michael Mouse on May 25, 2025, 5:30 pm, in reply to "Re: 'E's Gorn..."
Now that balance and impartiality have been restored ar savilevision, rapists will be given 50 percent of airtime to share their viewpoint when sexual violence is discussed.
Why didn't he point out that comparing rats with zionists is the opposite of comparing rats with Jews? Could it be that if he went quietly he would keep the Ski gig?The last working-class hero in England. Clio the cat, ? July 1997 - 1 May 2016 Kira the cat, ? ? 2010 - 3 August 2018 Jasper the Ruffian cat ??? - 4 November 2021 Georgina the cat ???-4 December 2025
quote: Extraordinary details of the expense account of BBC Creative Director Alan Yentob are revealed today in documents obtained by The Mail on Sunday.
The controversial executive is awarded thousands of pounds of licence-fee payers' money each year for a range of items – including "dry cleaning", "evening dress" and "accessing email while on location".
Mr Yentob, whose basic salary is more than £300,000 a year, also filed a £120 claim for a single cake and £25 for repairing the DVD player in his BBC car.
Scroll down for more...
High life: Alan Yentob, who claimed £27,000 expenses, enjoys wine with author Kathy Lette
In total, the BBC – which recently sacked 2,000 staff due to budget cuts – paid him £27,300 over the past three years – including £16,830 for "entertainment", which included meals with celebrities and dinners for BBC staff.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers Alliance, said: "Licence fee payers will be dismayed by these incredible figures.
"There is a gilded elite at the top of the BBC who can claim salaries and expenses as if they were hedge fund managers.
"We should now see the expenses of other senior BBC executives to see if they are being equally wasteful with our money."
In 2004, Mr Yentob's expenses were investigated after he was accused of ferrying his partner and children around in chauffeur-driven BBC cars...
Posted by Keith-264 on May 25, 2025, 9:12 pm, in reply to "Expenses..."
nmThe last working-class hero in England. Clio the cat, ? July 1997 - 1 May 2016 Kira the cat, ? ? 2010 - 3 August 2018 Jasper the Ruffian cat ??? - 4 November 2021 Georgina the cat ???-4 December 2025
Alan "Botney" Yentob presented a superb doco on American skyscrapers
He was in an episode of Ideal...The last working-class hero in England. Clio the cat, ? July 1997 - 1 May 2016 Kira the cat, ? ? 2010 - 3 August 2018 Jasper the Ruffian cat ??? - 4 November 2021 Georgina the cat ???-4 December 2025
Let them [not] eat cake. Nm
Posted by Shyaku on May 26, 2025, 8:22 am, in reply to "Expenses..."
on May 25, 2025, 2:50 pm