Jimmy Savile victim compares new BBC drama The Reckoning to ‘being abused again’ as backlash rages on
A JIMMY Savile victim has compared the new BBC drama The Reckoning to "being abused again" as backlash over the series rages on.
It was announced last week that The Reckoning, by award-winning writer Neil McKay and producer Jeff Pope, will reveal how the Jim'll Fix It star covered up his crimes.
It will follow his rise to fame and how his sexual abuse of young girls as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders was kept under wraps until after his death in 2011, when he was exposed in an explosive ITV documentary.
However, the news caused an immediately backlash from the public, and now some of Savile's victims have shared their horror at the plans to give their attacker the spotlight once again.
One victim, who was abused at BBC Television Centre as a young girl, said: "The idea of making a drama out of Savile's life, for the purpose of entertainment, is so distasteful and distressing.
"I hold the BBC partly responsible for my abuse - many people knew what was going on and did nothing to stop it.
"To find out the same organisation is now planning to use these events to gain ratings is unacceptable. It's almost like being abused again."
Meanwhile a relative of another victim said: "I don't know how the BBC can make this programme.
"He used his BBC fame to con parents and groom children, so how can they be trusted to tell the complete truth?
"His crimes were abhorrent and most of his victims are still alive and living with the consequences of his actions.
"To have their plight turned into a TV drama by the organisation who failed to protect them is sickening."
Controller of the BBC drama Pete Wenger said: "The story of Jimmy Savile is one of the most emotive and troubling of our times.
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"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."