BBC defends Jimmy Savile jokes in Scarborough

In the first episode of the new show, which stars Strictly Come Dancing celeb Catherine Tyldesley, character ‘Bigsy’ (Steve Edge) told Mike Manford (played by Jason Manford) that Jimmy Savile had “the right idea” about women – because “he used to call them all brain-damaged”.

He later joked that Jim’ll Fix It had “a cracking theme tune”.

In the show, Manford replied: “Wow, of all the people you could quote on relationship advice, you’re giving me Jimmy Savile! Even for you, that’s off the grid.”

While viewers took to Twitter to deem the irreverent humour “disgusting” and “shameful”, the BBC defended the programme.

In a statement to RadioTimes.com, a spokesperson said: “The reference made by Bigsy demonstrates how out of touch he is with reality and Mike makes it clear to him that the remark is inappropriate.”

https://twitter.com/DerrenLitten/status/1170452200532914176

Scarborough writer Derren Litten also weighed in on the controversy, tweeting: “If we don’t laugh, we cry. Not mentioning Saville’s name elevates him to the status of the bogey man.

“He has no power to haunt our nightmares, he’s not going to appear in the mirror if we speak his name, he is a dead pervert and good riddance to him.”

Scarborough continues Friday at 9.30pm on BBC 1