Steve Coogan transforms into an old Jimmy Savile on set of The Reckoning

Steve Coogan was almost unrecognisable as he transformed into an ageing Jimmy Savile on the set of The Reckoning in North Wales on Wednesday. 

The Alan Partridge star, 56, is tackling the role of the late paedophile for the controversial BBC drama and while shooting this week he was seen in a short grey wig and a royal blue tracksuit. 

Alan furrowed his brow as he got into character in chunky gold jewellery and an 80s shell suit, which became a staple of the TV personality’s eccentric wardrobe decades ago.  

In character: Steve Coogan was almost unrecognisable as he transformed into an ageing Jimmy Savile on the set of The Reckoning in North Wales on Wednesday

In the latest scenes, Steve was seen making conversation with an elderly woman on a public bench. 

They chatted intensely as Steve’s companion sheltered from the rain under a large umberella while they talked. 

Steve and his co-star looked downbeat as they furrowed their brows and looked to the floor while they exchanged dialogue surrounding by film crew.   

In the instantly recognisable Savile costume, Steve looked haggard as whisps of light grey hair escaped from beneath his beanie hat. 

Based on: The 80s shell suit became a staple of the TV personalities eccentric wardrobe decades ago (pictured in 2006)

Based on: The 80s shell suit became a staple of the TV personalities eccentric wardrobe decades ago (pictured in 2006) 

Costume: The actor is tackling the role of the late pedophile for the controversial BBC drama and while shooting this week he was seen in a short grey wig and a royal blue tracksuit

 Costume: The actor is tackling the role of the late pedophile for the controversial BBC drama and while shooting this week he was seen in a short grey wig and a royal blue tracksuit

Performance: Alan furrowed his brow as he got into character in chunky gold jewellery and a 80s shell suit

Performance: Alan furrowed his brow as he got into character in chunky gold jewellery and a 80s shell suit

Plot development: In the latest scenes, Steve was seen making conversation with an elderly woman on a public bench

Plot development: In the latest scenes, Steve was seen making conversation with an elderly woman on a public bench

Steve could be seen walking through the streets with a brown leather briefcase in his hand. 

The actor had been significantly aged by special effect makeup with deep lines between his brows and wrinkles around his mouth. 

He had perfected the TV personalities mannerisms as he threw his weight backwards and splayed out his hands while he spoke.  

Serious: They chatted intensely as Steve's companion sheltered from the rain under a large umberella while they talked

Serious: They chatted intensely as Steve’s companion sheltered from the rain under a large umberella while they talked

Down beat: Steve and his co-star looked downbeat as they furrowed their brows and looked to the floor while they exchanged dialogue surrounding by film crew

Down beat: Steve and his co-star looked downbeat as they furrowed their brows and looked to the floor while they exchanged dialogue surrounding by film crew

Aged: In the instantly recognisable Savile costume, Steve looked haggard as whisps of light grey hair escaped from beneath his beanie hat

Aged: In the instantly recognisable Savile costume, Steve looked haggard as whisps of light grey hair escaped from beneath his beanie hat

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’.

Coogan, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, 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.’

What's in the bag? Steve could be seen walking through the streets with a brown leather briefcase in his hand

What’s in the bag? Steve could be seen walking through the streets with a brown leather briefcase in his hand

Turning forward time: The actor had been significantly aged by special effect makeup with deep lines between his brows and wrinkles around his mouth

Turning forward time: The actor had been significantly aged by special effect makeup with deep lines between his brows and wrinkles around his mouth

Taking note: He had perfected the TV personalities mannerisms as he threw his weight backwards and splayed out his hands while he spoke

Taking note: He had perfected the TV personalities mannerisms as he threw his weight backwards and splayed out his hands while he spoke

Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television’s biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011.

In his final years, he fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career with the BBC – with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama.

A BBC-led inquiry into his actions found he had molested at least 72 children, some as young as eight, over a four decade campaign of sexual abuse with his first victim in 1959 and his last in 2006.

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

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

Job: Steve previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one 'I took lightly'

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

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

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

His horrific reign of abuse could be charted ‘in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises’, their 2016 report found.

Executive producer, Jeff Pope, said: ‘I think this is a story that has to be told. We must understand why a man like Jimmy Savile seemed to remain immune for so long to proper scrutiny and criminal investigation.

‘Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity.’

Gone: Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television's biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011

Gone: Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television’s biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011

Drama: He fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career - with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama

Drama: He fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career – with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama

Horrifying: A BBC-led inquiry into his actions found he had molested at least 72 children, some as young as eight, over a four decade campaign of sexual abuse with his first victim in 1959 and his last in 2006

Horrifying: A BBC-led inquiry into his actions found he had molested at least 72 children, some as young as eight, over a four decade campaign of sexual abuse with his first victim in 1959 and his last in 2006 

The BBC also says it will draw on ‘extensive and wide-ranging research sources’ or the project, examining the lasting impact of Savile’s crimes and the ‘powerlessness’ his victims felt.

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.

Awful: His horrific reign of abuse could be charted 'in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises', their 2016 report found

Awful: His horrific reign of abuse could be charted ‘in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises’, their 2016 report found

Important: Executive producer, Jeff Pope, said: 'We must understand why a man like Jimmy Savile seemed to remain immune for so long to proper scrutiny and criminal investigation'

Important: Executive producer, Jeff Pope, said: ‘We must understand why a man like Jimmy Savile seemed to remain immune for so long to proper scrutiny and criminal investigation’

He added: 'Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity'

He added: ‘Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity’

‘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.’

A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months.

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

Coming soon: A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months

Coming soon: A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months 

Important: 'The story of Jimmy Savile (pictured in 2010) 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,' Piers Wenger Controller, of BBC Drama said

Important: ‘The story of Jimmy Savile (pictured in 2010) 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,’ Piers Wenger Controller, of BBC Drama said

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