Title: Scandal Uncovered: Aftermath of Savile’s Crimes Revealed in Shocking Drama
After the death of Jimmy Savile in 2011, the horrifying extent of his crimes came to light, exposing the culture that allowed his behavior to go unchecked. The BBC is set to air a four-part drama, titled The Reckoning, on October 9, 2023, which delves into Savile’s sex offenses through a combination of archival footage, talking head interviews, and dramatized scenes featuring Steve Coogan as Savile.
One significant aspect of The Reckoning is the portrayal of Savile’s various properties, playing a central role in the factual drama. The series employs a framing device where Savile is interviewed by his biographer, journalist Dan Davies, at the penthouse flat in Leeds. Additionally, a survivor named Susan shares her account of being assaulted by Savile at his terraced house in Leeds in 1972, when she was 21 years old.
Susan, who worked as a trainee optician at the time, was requested for a home visit by Savile. Upon arriving, he locked the door and proceeded to assault her, later forcing her to agree to an interview for his BBC Radio One program. Recalling the horrific incident, Susan described the house as disgusting, with dirty tracksuits strewn across the floor and empty cornflakes boxes on the side.
Following the exposure of Savile’s monstrous deeds, various memorials dedicated to the disgraced DJ were promptly dismantled. For instance, Leeds, Savile’s hometown, erased his name from a memorial wall in the Civic Hall. His headstone at Woodlands Cemetery in Scarborough was removed and discarded in a landfill, and the borough council took down a gold commemoration plaque and a footpath sign bearing his name.
However, dealing with the property portfolio of a reviled public figure becomes more complex, especially when the properties have passed into private ownership. Savile possessed multiple properties across Leeds, Scarborough, and Scotland. Here is what transpired in regard to these properties after the revelation of his crimes.
Consort Terrace, where Savile was born in 1926 and spent his childhood, remains standing. Interestingly, a six-bedroom student house on the same street is currently listed on the market for £480,000.
During the 1970s, Savile purchased a penthouse overlooking Roundhay Park, where he resided until his death. The previous owner reportedly left behind all their furniture for Savile, including a distinctive white couch. The penthouse, which lacked an oven due to Savile’s aversion to cooking, is featured in photographs with Savile reclining in a mid-century-style chair against floor-to-ceiling windows. The property witnessed at least one recorded allegation of abuse.
Savile’s former neighbors acquired the penthouse in 2013 for £250,000, and it was subsequently sold again in 2014 for £300,000. The subsequent owners completely refurbished the property. However, in 2016, the penthouse was demolished as part of a redevelopment project.
Another property featured in The Reckoning is a three-bedroom flat in Scarborough purchased by Savile for his mother, who passed away there. Savile infamously preserved her bedroom as a shrine, and the road outside the flat was originally intended to be renamed Savile’s view. However, the revelations of Operation Yewtree put an end to that plan.
Following Savile’s death, millionaire Sir Rodney Walker bought the flat for his grandchildren to use. Sir Walker, who campaigned for the NSPCC and raised £25 million for the charity’s Full Stop campaign against child abuse, proceeded with the purchase despite the scandal’s delay. He emphasized that it was merely a property transaction, stating, We are buying a piece of property. It could have belonged to anybody.
Savile also acquired a two-bedroom cottage named Allt-na-Reigh in Glencoe during a Scottish cycling holiday. The property, previously owned by well-respected mountaineer Hamish McInnes, became a site of abuse, with at least 20 recorded incidents. After Savile’s death, the cottage was bought at auction for £212,000, but the buyer never lived there.
Presently, it is believed to be owned by the family of businessman Harris Aslam, who bought the property for £350,000. Aslam intends to demolish the house and construct a contemporary family home designed by architect Jon Frullani. He also plans to include a memorial to McInnes. However, the proposed design faced opposition from Mountaineering Scotland, who argued that it would negatively impact the surrounding highland landscape. The Highland Council is conducting a review of the planning application, and the property remains standing.
Despite the dark history associated with these properties, there have been efforts to repurpose them in a positive way. The revelations surrounding Savile’s crimes sparked a desire to sever the association with his name and ensure justice for the survivors. The fate of each property tells a unique story, reflecting the resilience and determination to move forward from the horrifying legacy left behind by Jimmy Savile.
