That's not correct.To add to previous reply complete yellow “fronts“ were never actually required, only relatively small panels
When BR corporate blue with full yellow ends was first rolled out in 1966 there was a BRB decision to have full yellow ends on green locomotives too without waiting until they got the full application of corporate blue livery.
I think this must have been relaxed some time in the 1980s, possibly coinciding with fitting of headlights.