CBeebies icon Kay Benbow dies aged 63 as emotional tributes for 'Queen of Beebies' pour in

ok.co.uk:

CBeebies legend Kay Benbow has passed away aged 63. Kay was CBeebies controller from 2010 until 2017, during which time the network won the BAFTA Children's Channel of the Year five times.

Following the sad news, the BBC released a statement, which read: "Everyone in the BBC Children’s & Education department is incredibly sad to hear the news that Kay Benbow has passed away.

Our most sincere condolences go to Kay’s husband, Ian, their sons and to the wider family. "As the controller of CBeebies, Kay was known across the whole kids’ media sector for her passion and commitment to providing young children with the very best content." "She was pivotal in taking CBeebies programmes into new and original areas, never afraid to stretch preschool minds into unthought-of territory – such as ballet, Shakespeare, mathematics, science and the joys of the annual live Christmas show. "Kay will be deeply missed by a huge number of current and previous BBC colleagues, a testimony to the many lives she touched in addition to her service to the audience.

She was an extraordinary person and did so much for CBeebies and young children across the UK." Michael Carrington, who Kay had succeded as the channel's controller in 2010, has been among those paying tribute to her.