The bright lights of the BBC television studios held a hidden darkness in the 1980s. While a generation delighted in the fantastical world of Narnia brought to life on screen, a quiet warning circulated amongst the young cast – a warning about a man who wielded immense power and concealed sinister intentions.
Sophie Cook, who charmed audiences as Susan Pevensie, remembers a chilling moment during filming. A floor manager, acutely aware of the danger, pulled the child actors aside with stark advice: “Don’t go near him, he’s a kiddie fiddler.” The target of this urgent caution was Jimmy Savile, a ubiquitous television personality whose predatory behavior was already whispered about, even then.
It wasn’t a matter of uncovering a secret; the knowledge was unsettlingly commonplace. Cook reflects that this awareness of something profoundly wrong existed “only just a studio away,” a disturbing acceptance of darkness lurking beneath the surface of national entertainment. This wasn’t about blaming the BBC, but acknowledging a cultural climate where such behavior was tolerated, even known.
The revelations surrounding Savile exploded into public consciousness after his death in 2012, triggering a massive investigation. What followed was a horrifying cascade of allegations – hundreds of accounts of abuse spanning decades, targeting vulnerable individuals in hospitals, hospices, and beyond.
Operation Yewtree, the police investigation launched in response, documented 214 criminal offenses, with 34 involving allegations of rape. The victims included children as young as eight, a pregnant woman, and a woman left paralyzed. The scale of Savile’s crimes was staggering, a betrayal of trust that shook the nation.
The BBC itself faced intense scrutiny. In 2016, a comprehensive independent review led by Dame Janet Smith DBE examined the broadcaster’s culture and practices during Savile’s tenure. The review identified systemic failures and led to significant changes aimed at safeguarding vulnerable individuals and preventing future abuses.
Years later, the story continues to be revisited. A recent documentary, *Return To Narnia*, prompted cast members to share their experiences, bringing the chilling warning from the studio floor back into the light. The documentary serves as a stark reminder of the insidious nature of abuse and the importance of vigilance.
The weight of portraying such a monstrous figure fell upon actor Steve Coogan, who took on the role of Savile in a controversial BBC drama. He immersed himself in the part to an unsettling degree, even wearing Savile’s actual shoes, a decision that profoundly affected him.
Coogan described the experience as carrying a “huge cloak,” a burden that ultimately left him emotionally drained and eager for the project to conclude. His dedication to the role, however disturbing, underscores the enduring need to confront the truth about Jimmy Savile and the devastating impact of his crimes.
