Steve Coogan has cancelled a public appearance after his Jimmy Savile drama series aired this week on BBC One.
According to The Sun, insiders feared a possible backlash to the controversial programme, which has come under fire for dramatising Savile’s horrific crimes.
The four-part series started on BBC this week and has so far been praised for it’s handling of pedophile’s Jimmy’s heinous acts.
But in the lead up to its premiere, the series came under fire from victims’ families who were upset that their experiences were being made into entertainment.
Steve was slated to appear to sign copies of his Alan Partridge autobiography while in character as the tactless and inept broadcaster.
Cancelled: Steve Coogan has cancelled a public appearance after his Jimmy Savile drama series aired this week on BBC One
Fears: According to The Sun, insiders feared a possible backlash to the controversial programme, which has come under fire for dramatising Savile’s horrific crimes
However, the publication reported that Steve’s team feared it could be jarring for him to appear as Alan so soon after he was seen as Savile in the series.
The Reckoning details Savile’s rise to fame and his campaign of abuse while at the height of stardom, as well as how his crimes were revealed following his death.
A source said: ‘Steve’s team were aware of the highly sensitive nature of the BBC drama and how it could jar with him getting into character as Alan for his book. No one wants to cause a stir.’
Steve was due to appear in London on Monday, however the appearance has been moved to later in the month.
A representative told the Sun it was due to a scheduling clash. They said: ‘Due to a demanding rehearsal schedule for his next film, the book signings will now begin later this month in line with Steve’s availability.’
The Reckoning made it’s highly anticipated debut on Monday with viewers praising it’s handling of pedophile’s Jimmy Savile’s heinous crimes.
Steve’s portrayal of the disgraced disc jockey was also branded an ‘acting masterclass’ and ‘convincingly vile’ in the first episode of the four-part series.
When alive, Savile was one of the BBC’s most popular presenters and figureheads, but was exposed as a serial abuser following his death.
Hard hitting: The Reckoning made it’s highly anticipated debut on Monday with viewers praising it’s handling of pedophile’s Jimmy Savile ‘s heinous crimes
Praise: Steve Coogan ‘s portrayal of the disgraced DJ was also branded an ‘acting masterclass’ and ‘convincingly vile’ in the first episode of the four-part series
He used his involvement in various organisations such as; The BBC, the Catholic church, the political sphere, charities, hospitals and prisons to legitimise himself and go undetected while sexually abusing hundreds of children and young people.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer wrote: ‘Steve Coogan is so convincingly vile and reptilian in the Reckoning’.
With a second writing: ‘Was not going to watch The Reckoning – glad I did – difficult to watch, but what an acting masterclass from Steve Coogan. Utterly convincing, almost terrifyingly real as Jimmy Savile (and as I’m typing just realised “vile” is in his name)’.
A third said: ‘Steve Coogan’s portrayal of Savile in the BBC series The Reckoning is nothing short of superb’.
Someone else wrote: ‘I wasn’t sure whether to watch. I remember as a child “Jim’ll Fix it” and thinking that was creepy. Steve Coogan is that vile man, the voice, the mannerisms, the walk. Great acting and I’m taken back to watching that creepy man’.
While another commented: ‘An uncomfortable watch, The Reckoning and Steve Coogan gave a fine performance as the infamous predator’.
And: ‘Steve Coogan is playing a blinder, menacing, disturbing, with that superficial charm that many fell for’.
Someone else said: ‘Coogan is excellent. He inhabits [Savile]. The whole series is sensitive, the victim talking heads are so powerful. This is informative not entertainment. It’s as grim as you would expect’.
Another viewer wrote: ‘Steve Coogan is a seriously good actor. He is nailing the Savile role to perfection. Scary how this abuse went on despite early concerns. So sad!’.
With a ninth adding: ‘Steve Coogan’s perfomance as Jimmy Savile in The Reckoning was absolutely haunting. What a great actor’.
Acting masterclass: He used his involvement in various organisations such as; The BBC, the Catholic church, the political sphere, charities, hospitals and prisons to legitimise himself and go undetected while sexually abusing hundreds of children and young people (The Reckoning’s first episode pictured)
Jimmy Savile pictured in 1970
Another fan said: ‘Steve Coogan pulled off an acting masterclass in his portrayal of Jimmu Savile in The Reckoning and incredibly disturbing perfomance’.
While others gushed: ‘Steve Coogan – phenomenal’.
And: ‘Wow horrible subject but Steve Coogan deserves an Oscar for that perfomance’.
‘It is controversial and I understand that,’ Coogan said of the documentary’s subject, per Radio Times.
‘The BBC are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, and I believe the correct choice is to be damned if they do.
‘Broadly, it’s better to talk about something than not. The team had the right attitude and it was done with the cooperation of survivors. I think when it’s broadcast, it will vindicate itself.’
BAFTA-winning actress Gemma Jones (Marvellous) plays Agnes Kelly, the mother of Savile. Kelly passed away in 1972, so her involvement will last until Savile reaches 46 years old.
Drama: ‘It is controversial and I understand that,’ Coogan said of the documentary’s subject, per Radio Times
Impressed: Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer wrote: ‘Steve Coogan is so convincingly vile and reptilian in the Reckoning’
This leaves a considerable length of time following her death, during which Savile committing his crimes.
Savile’s relationship with his mother, who he referred to as ‘The Duchess’, was not straightforward.
He claimed that was unable to give him much affection when he was growing up, but hinted at some understanding between mother and son, saying that after she raised him for the first half of his life, he raised her as he became older and more independent.
In a 2011 interview with The Sunday People, via The Daily Record, Savile said: ‘My mother never got round to being proud. If anyone said, ‘What is Jimmy like?’ she would say, ‘I don’t know what he’s up to, but he’s up to something’.’She never trusted me as she thought I was going to get nicked and end up in the pokey.’
