BBC Chief Alan Yentob Leaves Behind £3.2 Million Legacy for His Wife of 40 Years Following His Passing at 78

TELLY legend Alan Yentob left a massive £3.1million gift to his wife in his will, The Sun can reveal.

The long-time executive and presenter died last May, aged 78, after being diagnosed with cancer.

TV legend Alan Yentob left a massive £3.1million gift to his wife in his will Credit: Getty The long-time BBC executive and presenter passed away last year Credit: Getty – Contributor

documents obtained by The Sun show the retired broadcaster passed the sum to Philippa Walker.

His will, put together in 2021, hands £3,160,783 directly to his partner of more than four decades, who is also a decorated TV and documentary producer.

The estate was signed off by the High Court last week following an application by the Yentob family earlier this year.

In a brief four-page will, Yentob asked that his trustees hold the entire estate for the benefit of Ms Walker.

It means she will receive the cash as an unconditional gift.

The pair in 2020 after a four-decade relationship.

Their two children, Jacob and Bella, were named in Yentob’s will as inheritors if his wife had not survived him.

Yentob rose through the ranks of the BBC after joining its trainee scheme as the only non-Oxbridge recruit in 1968.

By 1985, he was the corporation’s head of and arts, having generated a string of hit ideas to make the Beeb more relevant to young audiences.

In 1987, he was promoted to controller of BBC2, where he revitalised the channel by commissioning hugely successful dramas.

He became the controller of in 1993.

His drama commissions ranged from Middlemarch to and Prejudice, which made frontman a heartthrob.

Yentob also presented his own shows for the BBC, including a series on the life of artist Leonardo da Vinci, starring Sir Mark Rylance, and a regular arts series, Imagine, from 2003.

The legend was diagnosed with a rapid cancer and died on May 24 of last year, with his confirming the news the following day.

His wife Philippa said: “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.”

Comedian paid tribute, describing Alan as a “king of TV”.

Baddiel, who featured in Yentob’s series The Art Of Stand-Up, called the late broadcaster a “lovely man”.

He added: “He was incredibly supportive… A lovely man, and a king of TV.”

John Simpson, the presenter of Unspun World, said: “Very sad to hear that my good friend Alan Yentob has died. He was such good company, and a wonderful interviewer and documentary-maker. I shall miss him greatly.”

said: “We’ve lost a tip-top chap. Our advocate from the start.”

Then-BBC Director-General called Alan a “towering figure” in a tribute.

He added: “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.”