BBC release statement over Sir Jimmy Savile allegations

Following reports the former Radio One, Top of the Pops and Jim’ll Fix It presenter had partaken in alleged sexual abuse of young girls the BBC have released a statement regarding their former star and the accusations.

“A number of serious and disturbing allegations have been made over the past few days about the sexual abuse of teenage girls by Sir Jimmy Savile.”

The BBC statement begins, continuing…

“Some of these allegations relate to activity on BBC premises in the 1960s and 70s. We are horrified by allegations that anything of this sort could have happened at the BBC – or have been carried out by anyone working for the BBC. They are allegations of a serious criminal nature which the police have the proper powers to investigate.”

The corporation add they intend to work fully with the authorities over the abuse reports, which stretch back over 40 years.

“We have today asked the BBC Investigations Unit to make direct contact with all the police forces in receipt of allegations and offer to help them investigate these matters and provide full support to any lines of inquiry they wish to pursue.” The beeb conclude.

Savile was noted to have been the first ‘DJ’ in the world having placed two turntables side-by-side in dancehalls in the early 1950s, before moving to radio and later television. He joined Tyne Tees TV to front a teenage music and variety series before launching chart show Top of the Pops in 1964. He remained with BBC radio until the end of the 1980s thereafter working for commercial regional networks and fronting Jim’ll Fix It, his ‘dreams come true’ for children, and sometimes adults, until 1994.

Yesterday it was revealed Jersey police had investigated sexual assault claims concerning the personality in the 1970s. More recent police probes into the Leeds-born Savile had come to nothing due to a lack of evidence. Friends and family of the BBC face, who died last year, have defended Sir Jimmy and his legacy in both the world of television and his millions of pounds raised for charity.

The probe into the personal life of Savile follows an ITV investigation.

“This documentary is the result of an in-depth investigation into long-standing allegations of serious and widespread sexual misconduct by Sir Jimmy Savile.

 ”Because of the very serious nature of the claims made by several interviewees in relation to this, particular care and consideration was of course given to the decision to produce and broadcast this programme.

“The programme takes full account of the fact that Sir Jimmy is not here to defend himself against these claims.” An ITV spokesperson said earlier this week.

The BBC’s Newsnight programme dropped a similar report into Savile late last year due to what the beeb describe as a ‘lack of evidence’ to support the claims. The tabloid press have suggested there are calls for Sir Jimmy, who is buried in Scarborough, to have his knighthood revoked in the typical sensationalist ‘guilty until proven innocent’ attitude of the British press.

Exposure: The Other Side Of Jimmy Savile airs on Wednesday at 11.10pm on ITV1.