The huge BBC letters have been taken down from the side of its instantly recognisable “doughnut shaped” Television Centre in Shepherd's Bush 54 years after it was opened by The Queen.
The symbolic removal of the logo comes ahead of the official handover of the 14 acre site to developers Stanhope later this week when its broadcast signal will also be turned off.
The complex where classics such as Fawlty Towers, Blue Peter and Yes Prime Minister were made is being turned into 950 homes, a new branch of the Soho House private members club, including a hotel, offices and restaurants as part of a £1 billion regeneration.
The letters have been attached to the listed “atomic dot” brick wall facade of Studio 1 next to the entrance to the centre since it was designed by architect Graham Dawbarn. The dots will remain and the development will in future be known as Television Centre.
But the Corporation is not leaving the site altogther. It has taken out leases on three studios, which it will return to in April 2017 after they have been refurbished, and offices for its commercial arm BBC Worldwide.
The BBC says it will save £30 million a year by moving out of the building, which it sold for £200 million in 2012.
