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Steve Coogan transformed into paedophile Jimmy Savile on Monday in Manchester as filming continued on controversial new BBC series, The Reckoning.
The new drama, which will be broadcasted by the BBC, will trace the disgraced former star’s upbringing, his early career and prolific child sex offences.
Steve, 55, was the spitting image of the disgraced children’s TV host as he sported a blonde wig, tweed coat and red suit to film scenes outside a city nightclub.
Controversial: Steve Coogan transformed into paedophile Jimmy Savile on Monday in Manchester as filming continued on controversial new BBC series, The Reckoning
Steve got into character as he was filmed stepping out of a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III and going into the club – which the star believed to be recreating scenes from 1962.
The club had a poster of Elvis Presley and was titled ‘Afternoon Party with Jimmy Savile.’
Extras in 60s garb were also seen on set, with the Alan Partridge star looking sombre during the dramatic scenes.
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’.
Uncanny: Steve, 55, was the spitting image of the disgraced children’s TV host (oictured right in the 1960s_ as he sported a blonde wig, tweed coat and red suit to film scenes outside a city nightclub
Focus: Steve was nearly unrecognisable as he filmed for the new drama
Back in time: A Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III was seen parked outside the club alongside extras in 60s attire – the TV host famously owned a fleet of Rolls Royce cars over the years
Steve, 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.’
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.
Filming: The star was handed a briefcase by a crew member as he prepared to film
Drama: The star looked pensive as he prepared for filming in the northern city
Details: The club had a poster of Elvis Presley and was titled ‘Afternoon Party with Jimmy Savile’
Details: Steve pulled a pained expression as he headed to film scenes for the 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.
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.
Last week: Last week, he was seen running in a Manchester park while depicting a younger Savile
‘Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity.’
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.
Tricky: Steve (pictured in 2020) previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one ‘I took lightly’
‘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.’
A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months.
Shocking: Sex offender Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television’s biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011
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