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Jimmy Savile wasn't involved in selecting fixes on Jim'll Fix It, says report

Evidence also reveals some of the 'fixes' were invented by production team advance rather than being requested by a child

Ian Burrell
Media Editor
Thursday 25 February 2016 22:38 GMT
Jimmy Savile had no part in selecting the fixes, it has emerged
Jimmy Savile had no part in selecting the fixes, it has emerged (Rex)

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In evidence that raises further questions over the BBC’s treatment of talent, former staff revealed that Jimmy Savile was rarely on the set of Jim’ll Fix It and wasn’t involved in selecting the fixes.

Dame Janet Smith said: “This was in contrast to the impression given to an often adoring public, many of whom thought that Savile was personally involved in making dreams come true.”

On one occasion, Savile “insisted” the show visit Stoke Mandeville Hospital then demanded a “lingering shot” of a plaque celebrating his work there.

The report also found that some of the “fixes” on Jim’ll Fix It were dreamed up by the production team in advance, rather than being requested by a child. The producers then sought out a suitable child who they could pretend had made the wish.

Savile only recorded the links for his Radio 1 programmes, “leaving the producer and technical staff to link the words and music together”, said the report.

Andy Kershaw, a fellow BBC Radio presenter, said Savile was not interested in music. Noel Edmonds, a former colleague on Top of the Pops, described Savile as “a terrible broadcaster”

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