BBC bosses pause broadcast of controversial Jimmy Savile drama

BBC bosses have reportedly put the broadcast of a controversial Jimmy Savile drama starring Steve Coogan on hold.

The Reckoning, which features actor Steve, 57, as late TV and radio personality Jimmy finished filming at the end of last year.

Television series The Reckoning will trace the disgraced former star’s upbringing, his early career and prolific child sex offences.

But it is claimed executives are nervous about the show being aired after it was met with criticism. 

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘It’s been three years since the BBC announced it was making this drama . . . and there’s been a fierce response from victims.

Story: The Reckoning, which features actor Steve as late TV and radio personality Jimmy (pictured) finished filming at the end of last year (Jimmy pictured circa 1973)

‘Most dramas don’t take this 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 transmission later this year. An exact date will be announced in due course.’

The decision to chronicle Savile’s life has come under fire from many, however BBC has stated that they worked with his victims and will portray a story ‘with sensitivity and respect’.

It was reported in November that the drama chronicling his life and predatory behaviour has been delayed amid public backlash over the project.

The four-part series was expected to hit screens last year but it was revealed the Corporation has chosen to push the premiere back until 2024.

Sources said the BBC were in such a panic that they’re going through the footage with a fine-tooth comb to ensure it’s perfect.

‘The sensitivities are such that the BBC know they absolutely have to get this 100 per cent right,’ the source said.

‘The four-part drama is being edited in such a meticulous and careful way, so as not to create further pain and suffering for the victims of Savile.’

Concerns: A TV insider told The Sun : ‘It’s been three years since the BBC announced it was making this drama . . . and there’s been a fierce response from victims’ 

The paedophile’s hunting grounds were often the sets of BBC productions, including Top Of The Pops, serving as the greatest stain on the network’s history.

The Reckoning has been produced by leading dramatist Jeff Pope and is based on the book In Plain Sight by Dan Davies, who had the co-operation of some of Savile’s victims.

Organisations for the survivors of sexual abuse blasted the BBC for making ‘entertainment’ out of Savile’s crimes.

He died aged 84 in 2011.

Last year, Steve defended The Reckoning during an appearance on Sunday Brunch, saying we need to look at individuals like Savile ‘to prevent it happening again’.

Steve, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, added that he spoke to actors playing the victims to put them at ease.

‘I think that’s because Jimmy Savile played a trick on the entire nation so there’s a real feeling of antagonism about it,’ Steve told hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer.

He added: ‘But you need to look at someone like that to understand how they’re able to operate and to prevent it happening again.

Speaking out: It comes after actor Steve defended The Reckoning in which he plays the shamed sexual predator during an appearance on Sunday Lunch last year

‘If you sweep it under the carpet and just don’t talk about it anymore, then those people are destined to come back.’

Steve continued: ‘I’d go and talk to them as myself and go, “Hi, I’m Steve, I’m not Jimmy Savile, that’s who I’m going to play today”.

‘And you’re playing a role and we’re going to do it professionally, and it was so that they knew that I was someone else. So it was a tightrope, but I think we did it properly.’

Steve previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one ‘I took lightly’.

He added: ‘Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which, however harrowing, needs to be told.’

Piers Wenger Controller, of BBC Drama, added: ‘The story of Jimmy Savile is one of the most emotive and troubling of our times.

‘We do not intend to sensationalise these crimes but to give voice to his victims.

‘We will work with survivors to ensure their stories are told with sensitivity and respect and to examine the institutions which Jimmy Savile was associated with and the circumstances in which these crimes took place.

‘Drama has the ability to tackle sensitive real life subjects and consider the impact of a crime on its survivors and what lessons can be learnt to stop this ever happening again.’

For confidential support for adults who suffered any type of abuse in childhood call NAPAC on 0808 801 0331, free from landlines and mobiles. 

Hidden in plain sight: Savile was a much loved public figure in life, but he would be exposed as a serial sexual predator following his death in 2011 (pictured at the Wren House International Telephone Exchange in 1975)