BBC deny their controversial Jimmy Savile drama has been delayed after it was claimed ‘bosses were urging more focus to be placed on the victims’
BBC denies their controversial Jimmy Savile drama has been postponed after claiming ‘bosses insisted more attention should be paid to victims’
The BBC has denied that its controversial Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning has been postponed after it was reported that bosses at the channel were calling for more attention to be paid to its victims.
The four-part series is expected to be shown by the BBC this autumn – despite backlash from victims of the sex offender, who died in 2011 aged 84.
The Reckoning, which charts the disgraced former star’s upbringing, early career and prolific child sex crimes, was completed in January 2022.
It was then reported on Friday that the release date had been postponed, but the BBC confirmed that the series, starring Steve Coogan is still airing as planned.
It comes next The sun reported that BBC executives, after viewing early versions of the drama, had called for the drama’s focus to be shifted to Savile’s victims, to prevent viewers from ‘misinterpreting’ it as a biopic about the pedophile.
Statement: The BBC has denied that its controversial Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning has been postponed
Monster: The four-part series is expected to be shown by the BBC this autumn – despite a backlash from the victims of the sex offender, who died in 2011 aged 84
A source previously told the publication: ‘There has been a lot of speculation about how a show that was first announced three years ago is still not coming to our screens.
‘The BBC simply insisted that they wanted to take their time to get the final version right. They understand that it is an incredibly delicate balance and have a duty of care to the victims.
“So they will play much more of a role in the drama itself, as well as real victims who will appear throughout the series.”
But a BBC spokesman said: ‘The focus of the drama has not shifted. We have always said that we work closely with many people whose lives were affected by Savile, including survivors – four of whom also feature in the drama.”
Savile, who died before his crimes could come to light, preyed on vulnerable children and abused his position to get too close to minors.
Last month, the first official still for the new drama was released ahead of its broadcast later this year.
Steve Coogan, 57, has taken on the role of the depraved presenter, and is pictured wearing a replica of one of the late TV and radio personality’s colorful tracksuits as he sits in a chair and smokes a cigar.
His profile is visible as he sits in what appears to be a hotel room, also sporting the disgraced media personality’s unflattering, close-cropped, dyed-blonde hair.
Filming: The Reckoning, which charts the disgraced former star’s upbringing, early career and prolific child sex crimes, was completed in January 2022 (Jimmy pictured in 2006)
Filming: It was then reported on Friday that the release date had been postponed, but the BBC has confirmed that the series, starring Steve Coogan (pictured), will still air as planned
Chilling: Last month, the first official announcement of the new drama was released ahead of its broadcast later this year
Early this year, it was reported that executives were nervous about the show’s airing after it was met with criticism.
A TV insider said this The sun: ‘It has been three years since the BBC announced that it would be making this drama and there has been a strong reaction from the victims.
“Most dramas don’t take that long to edit and air, but they don’t want to put a foot wrong.”
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We are currently in post-production for broadcast later this year. An exact date will be announced in due course.”
The decision to document Savile’s life has come under fire from many, but the BBC has said it has worked with his victims and will report the story ‘with sensitivity and respect’.