Читать книгу Savile - The Beast: The Inside Story of the Greatest Scandal in TV History - John McShane - Страница 4

Jimmy Savile was once asked to write his own epithet. He replied: ‘He was a fellow who instinctively knew the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.’

The statement on Saturday, October 29, 2011, was succinct and unemotional.

‘Police were called at 12.10pm today to the discovery of a man’s body at a house in Roundhay, Leeds. The body of a man in his 80s was found at the property. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.’

Jimmy Savile was dead. He had died peacefully in his sleep at his sixth-floor penthouse in Lakeview Court, overlooking the nearby park. Cigar-chomping Sir Jimmy had recently had suspected pneumonia and was just two days away from his 85th birthday. He was found by Alan Hepworth, the caretaker of his block. Savile was lying on his bed, wearing one of his trademark track suits with a chunky gold bracelet and watch. The flat, with its large, L-shaped white sofa, had decor described as ‘poor man’s Elvis’ and famously had no oven; ‘An oven means cooking and cooking means women and that means brain damage’, was Savile’s explanation.

A cigar butt was lying in an ashtray on his coffee table. Mr Hepworth said: ‘I think he had a pretty good idea his time had come. He looked totally at peace. I’d been knocking and knocking and went in and said, “Morning Jimmy” and saw him on his bed. I thought he was asleep, he looked so peaceful.’

No more would his catchy phrases such as ‘How’s about that, then?’ ‘Goodness gracious’ and ‘Guys and gals’ be heard.

The brief West Yorkshire police statement confirming his death went around the globe in moments; the ‘man in his 80s’ was, after all, famous throughout the world, not just in Britain where he had been a household name for half a century, but in countries he had never visited. His larger-than-life personality, his unique appearance with his long blond hair, garish track suits and ostentatious jewellery, his never-ending work for others less fortunate than himself, plus a zest for life and people – men, women and children – had given him a legendary place in society.

He had hosted the fabled BBC show Top of the Pops when it was launched in 1974 and was associated with it throughout the programme’s history. Jim’ll Fix It, the programme he was to be forever linked with, was one of the defining light-entertainment shows of a golden age of British television. He was loved by both the man in the street and by royalty. In 1990 his charity work, to which he had seemed to devote astonishing time, energy and dedication and which had raised an estimated £40 million for good causes, had resulted in him being knighted. The nation was concerned seven years later when Savile had a heart bypass operation, and relieved to see that he made a good recovery.

Children especially adored his madcap, avuncular personality. At one stage an estimated 20,000 youngsters a week had written in to his shows requesting favours. He seemed to have a rapport with the young, based perhaps – so amateur psychologists might ponder – on the ‘child’ within himself, the little boy inside Savile’s burly body.

As soon as news of his death reached the world, the obituaries, many of which noted in that most ambiguous of phrases ‘he never married’, contained countless tributes to Savile from the great and the good, as well as the not-so-famous.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the tributes to Savile – described by some as a ‘court jester’ – when a Clarence House spokeswoman, said: ‘The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were saddened to hear of Jimmy Savile’s death and their thoughts are with his family at this time.’

The BBC Director-General at the time, Mark Thompson, said he was ‘very sad’ to hear the news. ‘From Top of the Pops to Jim’ll Fix It, Jimmy’s unique style entertained generations of BBC audiences,’ he said. ‘Like millions of viewers and listeners we shall miss him greatly’.

Politicians too sang his praises. Then Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: ‘Sir Jimmy Savile was one of broadcasting’s most unique and colourful characters. From Top of the Pops, to making children’s dreams come true on Jim’ll Fix It, a generation of people will remember his catchphrases and sense of fun.

‘But his lasting legacy will be the millions he raised for charity, tirelessly giving up his time and energy to help those causes he was passionate about.’

Charles Kennedy, former Liberal Democrat leader added: ‘He was a true and long-standing friend to the West Highlands over decades of diligence and decency. It was a privilege to follow on from him as Chieftain of the Lochaber Games and I salute his commitment to the local mountain rescue teams. Indeed, when not resident at his home in Glencoe…he made it available for mountain rescue use. It was typical of the man that he never drew attention to such characteristic generosity. A sad loss indeed.’

Former deputy Labour leader Lord Prescott Tweeted: ‘Sad to hear of Jimmy Savile’s death. Tireless fundraiser and a real character. nowthennowthen.’

‘Sad news,’ tweeted the opera singer Katherine Jenkins. ‘My sis and I always wanted a Jim’ll Fix It medal. Loved that show. Great memories.’

Fellow music presenters were among those who paid tribute to Savile. ‘He was a very energetic character,’ David ‘Diddy’ Hamilton said, ‘but most of all, I remember him as just a totally flamboyant, over the top, larger than life character and as he was on the air, he was just the same off.’

Radio host Paul Burnett said his charity work was a ‘two way street’, adding: ‘He didn’t have a family as such and so when he took on a charity, that became his family. He did a lot of work as a porter in the hospital that he collected money for. He would go there at night and work as a porter and I think he loved the people that he worked with, it wasn’t just for the publicity, but he knew the charities were doing well out of it as well. He was capable of acts of great kindness.’

He added: ‘You didn’t really ever get to know “the man” because he was a showman, and like so many showmen that’s it, that’s their main thing in life and he did it brilliantly.’

Comedian Ricky Gervais said: ‘RIP Jimmy Savile. My first guest on my first TV show. A proper British eccentric.’

Where words of praise were expressed on the news of his death, they were almost always followed by tributes to his charity work.

He had raised millions for the creation of the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, after severe weather caused damage to the old prefab wooden huts which had housed spinal cord injury patients. Savile was a volunteer at the hospital and ran more than 200 marathons for various charitable organisations.

A spokeswoman for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: ‘Sir Jimmy has been a great supporter of Stoke Mandeville Hospital for a number of decades. He was tireless in his attempts to fundraise for the hospital and was integral in the creation of the National Spinal Injuries Centre that we have today. Sir Jimmy will be sorely missed by staff and patients alike.’

Two of Sir Jimmy’s nephews confirmed that their uncle had died peacefully in his sleep. As Roger Foster and Ian McKenna paid tribute to Sir Jimmy outside his flat, Mr Foster said: ‘It is with deep sadness that I can tell you that our uncle Sir Jimmy Savile passed away quietly in his sleep during the night. Jimmy was a wonderful man; his public face is well known but we knew him as much more than an uncle, he was a very good friend. Jimmy will be sadly missed by very many people. We would like to thank the people who have already offered their condolences.’

The aftermath of his death and the preparations for his burial were practically akin to those normally associated with members of the Royal Family.

A memorial and book of condolence to Sir Jimmy was set up in Savile’s Hall, named after him, opposite the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds and the foyer of the hall was to feature a life-size poster depicting him in his trademark Jim’ll Fix It chair, which had been bought by the hall on eBay three years earlier.

James Vincent, managing director of Royal Armouries International, said: ‘Sir Jimmy was a great friend and a driving force for us and we want to pay tribute to the man. He was a legend, an extraordinary larger than life character. We share the grief of his passing and hope his loyal local fans will appreciate this as a fitting place in which to honour his memory and lay any flowers or mementoes.’

Civic dignitaries too were quick to add their salutary verdicts. Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council said ‘This is very sad news. Sir Jimmy Savile was Leeds born and bred and he remained a Leeds lad throughout his life. He was a much-loved and well-known figure – a larger than life character and an inspiration to many, particularly the children of the city. His enormous contribution to charity will never be forgotten. We are proud to have someone like him, who did so much for so many, come from Leeds.’

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals said: ‘We are shocked and saddened that one of the great characters of this city, and a fantastic support of our hospitals, has died. Over the years Sir Jimmy’s patronage has provided outstanding opportunities for the research and care that has been of great benefit. He will be sadly missed.’

Where would all this praise end? Certainly not before his funeral which was to see a remarkable outpouring of grief and affection for Savile.

The death notice in his local newspaper, the Yorkshire Post, on November 4 read:

Savile

Sir James Wilson Vincent. O.B.E., K.C.S.G. (Jimmy) Of your charity please pray for the repose of the soul of Jimmy, in his 85th year, who departed this life peacefully in his sleep at his home in Leeds on Saturday October 29th 2011.

Beloved youngest son of the late Agnes and Vincent, much loved brother of the late Mary, Marjory, Vincent, John, Joan and Chrissie. Jimmy was loved and respected by his very proud nephews and nieces and he was a very dear great uncle. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.

Requiem Mass will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Anne, Leeds on Wednesday November 9th at 2.00 p.m. prior to interment at Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough on Thursday November 10th at 1.00 p.m.

Anyone wishing to pay their respects to Sir Jimmy and sign a book of condolence can do so at The Queens Hotel, City Square, Leeds LS1 1PJ on Tuesday November 8th between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

May he Rest in Peace.

His passing was to be marked over three days with emotion and protocol more akin to someone lying in state rather than the funeral proceedings of an elderly former DJ.

On day one, his body – dressed in a track suit, naturally – lay on a sprung mattress inside a gold-lacquered metal coffin raised on a platform in the bar of his favourite hotel, the Queens in Leeds city centre. Three of his trademark Havana cigars, among them the last one he smoked, lay in an ashtray beside him, and on his body he wore his Help For Heroes charity wristband and clutched rosary beads alongside an honorary green beret from the Royal Marines. It was the opening act of the send-off for Savile as for nine hours he lay in the art-deco surroundings of the hotel. Well-wishers laid flowers and left messages in books of condolence as they slowly proceeded past the closed casket at the rate of ten a minute.

The day was organised by friends and family to allow ‘ordinary guys and gals’ to pay tribute that grey, wet Leeds day. ‘It started off as a straightforward family funeral,’ Roger Foster said. ‘The funeral director pointed out that to me he was an uncle; to everybody else he was a national treasure. We just tried to read his mind and give him what we thought he would have wanted.’

Among the visitors was close friend Howard Silverman, who chose Jimmy as best man at his wedding. Standing beside the queue of people he said: ‘He was friends with Prince Charles and other royalty, with Elvis and the Beatles, and with Mrs Thatcher. But his good true friends were just ordinary people.’

The hefty casket, with its lid closed, was covered with the white roses of Yorkshire and was topped with a large crucifix. It was galvanised inside to help stop it rusting.

One mourner, dressed in a tribute track suit and headband, had caught the 5.50am train from London to join the throng. ‘Modern day celebrities are all about themselves. Sir Jimmy was about everybody else’, he explained. Among the estimated 5,000 who paid their tributes that day was a tramp, an airline pilot, a nun in a wheelchair, an Afghanistan veteran walking on carbon fibre legs and a woman who came to apologise for treading on Savile’s toe once during a charity marathon.

The next day television and radio colleagues joined his family and friends in St Anne’s Cathedral, Leeds, for a Requiem Mass as thousands of well-wishers watched outside on big screens.

After leaving The Queens Hotel, the procession had stopped at the former home of his mother, Agnes (‘The Duchess’) and at Leeds General Infirmary where hospital staff and members of the public lined the street. Thousands of people stood behind barriers as the cortège approached the cathedral and they broke into spontaneous applause as the cars pulled up. Calls of ‘Jimmy’ rang out through the crowd as the pall-bearers slowly approached the steps. The coffin was carried into the packed cathedral by a detachment of Royal Marines commandos after the cortege’s tour of the city.

Addressing the crowded church, the Rt Rev Monsignor Kieran Heskin said: ‘Sir Jimmy Savile can face eternal life with confidence. His life story was an epic of giving – giving of time, giving of talent, giving of treasure.’

The Right Rev Arthur Roche, Bishop of Leeds, also paid tribute, saying: ‘Today Jimmy lies at the front of this cathedral where, in former years, he had remained discreetly hidden at the back in order not to disturb people’s prayers or distract their attention from what was taking place at the altar. This afternoon, he occupies the first place always in our thoughts, affections and prayers.’

One of the eulogies was given by Professor Alistair Hall, a cardiologist who became Savile’s friend. Prof Hall announced a new hospital institute devoted to helping heart patients was to be created using a bequest from Savile’s will. He said: ‘He had done it all, seen it all, got it all and, if I may add, given it all.’

As the coffin left the cathedral, a bugler played the Last Post and boxer Frank Bruno, one of the mourners, chatted to the public as they thronged outside at the steps. ‘He was a very special man,’ he said.

Among the other guests were many of the DJs Savile worked with in his long career. Mike Read said: ‘Today should be a celebration. He’d have loved it – showman to the end. You don’t want it to happen but if it’s inevitable, the bigger the crowd the better. It’s extraordinary. I think it’s a celebration rather than anything else.’

Another DJ from Savile’s Radio Luxembourg days was Tony Prince. ‘He was my mentor. He was the mentor for DJs in Europe. He was unique throughout his life and he’s a testament to kindness and goodness and being a damned good DJ. He lived his life with his tongue in his cheek. If there’s a heaven, he’ll be laughing now if he’s got time. Because if there is a heaven, he’ll be introducing Elvis on the clouds,’ he said.

One wreath in a second hearse which just carried flowers spelt out the number 208 in yellow and white flowers – the frequency for Radio Luxembourg.

Hospital porter Walter Jackson, who had worked at Leeds General Infirmary for 19 years, paid tribute outside the hospital where Sir Jimmy volunteered as a porter and for which he had raised millions of pounds: ‘He used to walk about and talk to everybody. He’d talk to anybody, it didn’t matter who it was. If someone was crying, he would go over. You can’t buy that.’

On November 10 the focus of attention switched to Scarborough, the famous resort on the Yorkshire coast where Savile had an apartment and where he was to be buried – at a 45-degree angle calculated with a laser spirit-level so that he would be facing the sea.

Hundreds of well-wishers waved as his coffin was driven through the town and the crowd burst into applause as the hearse slowly passed them along the sea front. Poignant messages, including a sign reading ‘Goodbye Jimmy’, lined the route past a lifeboat station, harbour and Peasholm Park. The journey ended at Woodlands Cemetery just before 1pm and Savile was laid to rest on top of a hillside overlooking the water.

Father Martin Kelly, who conducted the service, said: ‘He was a man who had a place deep in people’s hearts. These past days have spoken of the great affection with which Jimmy Savile was held by so many. He was a man who knew what was important.’

Savile was buried with his Royal Marines green beret and medal, rosary beads and Help For Heroes wristband and about 100 members of the public gathered in the cemetery to watch the short burial. Nephew Roger Foster had slipped two cigars – a Romeo y Julieta and a Bolivar – into his casket, which was reportedly encased in concrete to prevent grave-robbers taking his ‘bling’ jewellery, when it had been opened for the final time.

His family and friends stood next to the grave, some wearing specially-made badges reading ‘Jim Fixed It For Me’, and his niece Amanda McKenna gave a reading by the grave before relatives threw flowers.

Dave Bishop, 67, from Nottingham, who attended the burial dressed as Elvis, said: ‘Jimmy Savile was a big Elvis fan so it seemed like the right thing to do to come and pay my respects. I bought a 99p bunch of flowers from the pound shop and threw them in. I think Jimmy would have liked it.’

No sooner had the oratory ceased and the tributes came to an end than it was announced that there was to be a special revived version of Jim’ll Fix It, hosted by EastEnders actor Shane Richie in the Savile role, broadcast that Christmas on the BBC.

In his will, millions of pounds went to charity and several hundred thousand pounds were raised by the auction of his belongings, including his Rolls-Royce – again with the cash going to good causes. This was a man who had risen from the humblest of backgrounds and through his hard work and determination to succeed had risen to the top. In addition he was the kindest, most generous of men, overflowing with the milk of human kindness. He would devote long stretches of his life to unselfishly helping others, doing no wrong, only good. He was practically a saint, albeit one clothed in an ill-fitting, garish track suit, and he was loved by all.

Or was he?

Throughout his adult life there had been rumours about Savile. Nothing that anyone could prove conclusively, but persistent, nagging stories about his fondness not just for ‘the ladies’ but for a particular kind of female: young ones. Pure evil gossip perhaps, or was there some basis in truth; a dark, sordid reality he had kept from the world for decades?

Who could have foretold, as the tributes poured in during the early weeks after Savile’s death, what lay in store? Not only was the life he tried to keep so secret behind the extrovert public façade about to be exposed, but questions were to be raised about institutions such as the BBC, the National Health Service, the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and many others.