Allan is best remembered for his creation of the pioneering 1960s TV rock/pop music show Ready Steady Go!.
Allan was exempt from military service during World War II for health reasons.
His contributions to The Outfitter included the column "Dress Circle", which featured reviews of costumes in theatre productions.
He later worked for the Daily Express, Picture Post, John Bull and The Illustrated London News.
When ITV was launched in 1955, he joined the new network as a reporter, later becoming a producer for This Week's current affairs programme.
They later divorced and, on 5 September 1970, Allan married journalist Angela Willment at Hampstead register office.