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BBC to make drama about Jimmy Savile's life:

(44 Posts)
Spangler Tue 20-Oct-20 09:20:23

After his death in 2011, an ITV documentary investigated claims of sexual abuse against him, leading to further allegations of abuse and a string of public inquiries.

These found that the broadcaster had leveraged his involvement in organisations such charities, hospitals, prisons and the BBC to prey on hundreds of people - mostly vulnerable young females.

BBC drama controller Piers Wenger said the new drama did "not intend to sensationalise these crimes" but "to give voice to his victims".

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54542956

The media's argument is always that the public have a right to know, really? What's the betting that there will be no mention of the BBC's involvement of the witch hunt against Sir Cliff Richard.

BradfordLass73 Tue 20-Oct-20 23:29:01

Why not go the whole hog and upset the victims of Rolf Harris and Clement Freud as well? After all it's "good, prurient telly".

ClareAB Wed 21-Oct-20 03:04:09

It's a horrible idea and far too soon. Capitalising on heinous crimes when the victims and their families are still alive is beyond any limit of decency.

FannyCornforth Wed 21-Oct-20 08:26:10

SueDonim

Yuk. I can’t imagine any actor wanting to play the role of Saville.

A few years back there was a play on in London about Savile.
It starred Alistair McGowan.
It was very dark, obviously.
It wasn't well publicised, at the request of the writer and production team.
McGowan refused to be photographed in role.
It was kept quiet as they knew how controversial it was, and those involved didn't want to upset the survivors of Savile's abuse.

Lavazza1st Wed 21-Oct-20 08:42:01

I recently met a man who thought he was a good man. I was speechless. Apparently he knew JS's swimming teacher who said he was a weak man and wouldn't hurt a fly. But as we know, bullies and opportunists often ARE weak people.

FannyCornforth Wed 21-Oct-20 08:44:16

Lavazza1st that sounds a bit odd!
Savile was a bouncer when he was a young man and was notoriously good with his fists!

loopyloo Wed 21-Oct-20 08:47:26

Is this what we pay our licence fees for?

Spangler Wed 21-Oct-20 08:50:09

He was also a professional wrestler. Given the reaction on this thread, it made me wonder if there's something similar on a wider audience like Twitter. I have never tweeted but if anyone does, do share any links.

MaizieD Wed 21-Oct-20 08:56:53

Late to this, but...

That anyone thinks this would make for entertainment utterly sickens me. What a disgusting society we have become.

I agree that a documentary would have been OK.

Grandmabatty Wed 21-Oct-20 08:59:55

Oopsadaisy Hughie Green was an odious man. In 70s,when he was well known, he worked with a youth drama group I was part of. His attitude and language towards us was appalling behind the curtain, then the 'act' appeared as soon as the curtain opened. Insincere and nasty.

Lavazza1st Wed 21-Oct-20 09:00:34

Ahh I didn't know hw was a bouncer or a wrestler. I used to watch Jim'll Fix it with family and some of my family even applied to be on the show! Thanks God they never got accepted!

He should not be given air time. Vile, evil, creepy little man.

Jayt Wed 21-Oct-20 09:02:05

Downright tragedy to raise that odious person from the ashes.

Elegran Wed 21-Oct-20 09:07:09

Why are they giving this @?&% the oxygen of publicity?

Jaberwok Wed 21-Oct-20 10:45:41

Absolute disgusting and a new low for the beeb who knew perfectly well what Saville was like and shielded him for years as they did other notables! Horrible for the victims, and horrible for the Saville family, but no doubt it will up the ratings so who cares?! No doubt people will be gravely told that this is a story that needs to be told! the fact that without BBC conivance, there wouldn't have been a story will be conveniently glossed over! No, I will not be watching, in fact we hardly watch anything on the Beeb these days and resent that wretched licence with a vengeance!!

Ladyleftfieldlover Wed 21-Oct-20 10:51:06

I was never a fan when he was alive - just a bit too creepy - so I am unlikely to watch anything about him now.

glammanana Wed 21-Oct-20 11:46:27

Spending licence payers money on this despicable subject is beyond me.

Vickysponge Wed 21-Oct-20 11:52:20

Jaberwok

Absolute disgusting and a new low for the beeb who knew perfectly well what Saville was like and shielded him for years as they did other notables! Horrible for the victims, and horrible for the Saville family, but no doubt it will up the ratings so who cares?! No doubt people will be gravely told that this is a story that needs to be told! the fact that without BBC conivance, there wouldn't have been a story will be conveniently glossed over! No, I will not be watching, in fact we hardly watch anything on the Beeb these days and resent that wretched licence with a vengeance!!

Oh my, I could have written this post. Well said!!

Davidhs Wed 21-Oct-20 11:53:25

Really scraping the barrel to serve up this as entertainment, bad things happen and we should do all we can to prevent them, dramatizing Saville is disgusting.

Jaberwok Wed 21-Oct-20 14:05:57

I remember a documentary (?!) about Harold Shipman being aired ages ago. I didn't watch it for obvious reasons but at the time, apart from the victims and their families, feeling so sorry for his wife, and children, especially Primrose who always seemed a particularly vulnerable victim of this dreadful man. It must have been almost unbearable for her to have this horror committed by her husband out there on TV for the world to see and gossip about. Like J.Saville, insensitive doesn't even begin to describe it!