The Late Sir Jimmy Saville: National Treasure, Charity Saint and Sexual Predator

[DanaC]

A year since Sir Jimmy Saville passed away, to much mourning and nostalgic remembrance, the veil has been lifted and the halo has slipped to the ground, smashed into a thousand shards.

Well, I can't say as I was shocked. Though I always watched his shows as a kid, he also always gave me the creeps. Once I was older I heard odd things that made me wonder, and was able to better identify what it was about him that creeped me out so much. Other than his general eccentricity and wild appearance, which in and of itself would not have creeped me out.

What is shocking though, is a) the extent of his predatory behaviour, and b) the seeming collusion, or intimdated silence amongst the entertainment and journalistic community. And beyond, into the charities and organisations he worked tirelessly to promote and support.

For the Merkins who may not know who he was:

Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, OBE, KCSG (31 October 1926 – 29 October 2011) was an English disc jockey, television presenter and media personality, best known for his BBC television show Jim'll Fix It, and for being the first and last presenter of the long-running BBC music chart show Top of the Pops. He was also known for his fundraising and support of various charities, particularly Stoke Mandeville Hospital. He was widely described as a philanthropist and was honoured for his efforts.[1][2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Savile

That still doesn't get across how much of a household name he was for several decades.

Anyways. This week ITV screened a documentary, in which a former child protection investigator followed up on several accusations made against Saville since his death, by women (and one man) who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by him when they were still under the age of consent. Initially, this story came along in dribs and drabs, prior to the documentary being aired. And at first there was a general sense of unease at the idea of effectively trying the man in the media when he is no longer here to defend or account for himself.

But once the first few allegations started to filter through there have been more.

I watched the programme, and it was pretty explosive stuff. Right down to his involvement with Gary Glitter (famous child-friendly pop star and pedophile) and even his opinions in an unbroadcast audio interview in which he defended Glitter's actions.

The girls appear to all have been between the ages of 12 and 15. It was apparently, it now seems, an open secret in the entertainment community. Allegations were made to police which were not considered compelling enough to follow up. Charities he was involved with...like a reform school for troubled teenaged girls for instance...where he would apparently visit and select a few lucky girls for a drive out in his car. Journalists who all knew that he liked 'em young. A Junior BBC exec who turned up to a restaurant for a meeting with him and found him accompanied by a girl ('between 12 and 14...closer to 12 I thought' )and made no secret of the fact he'd spent the night with her, but was too intimidated by him to do anything.

The staff of the reform school, who treated a girl who refused advances and made a noise about it like a trouble making liar, locking her in a secure room for two days.

Higher up BBC execs of the day who may have colluded in the silence and blocked journalists from following a story. Though some story got through. A little. A couple of programs have touched on it ( Louis Theroux Meets, notably) and a handful of celebs have made allegations of things not being quite right.

Here's a bit more about it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012...?newsfeed=true

But now the personal angle: Mum reminded me recently of something she'd spoken of years ago and I had forgotten. When she was working in a Manchester club, aged 15, Jimmy Saville slapped her arse. Not slapped, really, more grabbed and squeezed. Couldn't keep his hands off the pretty young things.

Little clip of Colleen Nolan and Saville from the docu: