Steve Coogan will meet Jimmy Savile's victims for new TV show

Upcoming series The Reckoning will see Steve Coogan star as the late BBC presenter, who died in 2011 aged 84, just one year before he was accused of sexual abuse by hundreds of victims.

Writer Neil McKay confirmed that some of these victims will be present on set to watch Coogan in character as Savile after requesting access.

“It’s clearly going to be strange. But they wanted to do it, they’re fully prepared, so it will be interesting,” he told The Sun.

“The victims concerned requested to attend filming since we are telling their stories, and all appropriate safeguarding measures were put in place by production to facilitate this.

“The team are working closely with many people whose lives were impacted by Savile to ensure their stories are told with sensitivity and respect.”

The decision to turn Savile’s life and crimes into a drama series has been met with criticism, but the BBC has promised that it is working with survivors to tell their stories “with sensitivity and respect.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, said: “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. 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.”

Meanwhile, executive producer Jeff Pope added: “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.

“Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity.”