BBC denies Alan Yentob exit reports

The BBC has been forced to issue a statement denying reports that Alan Yentob is to leave the corporation as part of a major cull of senior managers.

Yentob, who joined the BBC in 1968, was thought to be at risk of losing his £183,000 a year job as creative director of the corporation, reports The Guardian.

However, a BBC spokesperson said: "Alan Yentob is not involved in any of the restructuring or changes announced at the BBC this week.

"Alan remains creative director of the BBC and there is no announcement due to be made about him."

BBC director general Mark Thompson this week confirmed that deputy director general Mark Byford would step down from his post next summer.

Head of marketing Sharon Baylay is also leaving the BBC, as Thompson slims down the executive board and cuts the senior pay bill.

Byford is believed to have agreed a payoff of around £900,000, while Baylay is also expected to receive a six-figure redundancy sum.

After trimming the BBC board, Thompson is expected to start work on reducing the corporation's 600-strong senior management team by around 18%, and cutting their total pay by a quarter by the end of 2013.