Jeremy Clarkson has paid tribute to the late BBC executive Alan Yentob, who died over the weekend at the age of 78.
Former Top Gear star Clarkson, 65, explained his admiration for the documentary maker despite noting Yentob had been the one to “end my career at Top Gear”.
BBC arts broadcaster Yentob was also the former controller of BBC One and Two. It was revealed over the weekend he had died, and he is survived by his wife Philippa and their two children, Jacob and Bella.
In 2015, Clarkson lost his job at Top Gear after allegedly punching a producer during a break from filming, with Yentob backing the decision at the time.
However, the Clarkson’s Farm star paid a glowing tribute to the late BBC veteran, labelling him a “great man” as he shared a post following the news.
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Writing on X, Clarkson penned: “Alan Yentob is the guy who called to end my career at Top Gear. He knew what had really gone on, though, and two days later, we had dinner. Great man. Loved and understood television. My love to Philippa.”
The decision to remove Clarkson from Top Gear came when the car enthusiast launched a “physical and verbal attack” on the show’s producer, Oisin Tymon.
The announcement came following an internal investigation from the BBC, who labelled the incident as a “fracas” between the two men.
The Grand Tour presenter reportedly “lost it” with Tymon and left him with a “swelling and bleeding lip”.
The BBC had also suspended Clarkson following a row during a shoot in North Yorkshire.
Yentob joined the BBC in 1968 before working through the ranks to take on positions as controller of the two channels and director of television, and head of music and art.
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His wife Philippa Walker said on Sunday: “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.”
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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, Pride and Prejudice, and 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.
