John McShane - Savile: The Beast: The Inside Story of the Greatest Scandal in TV History

J immy Savile was once asked to write his own epithet. He replied: He was a fellow who instinctively knew the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.

The statement on Saturday, October 29, 2011, was succinct and unemotional.

Police were called at 12.10pm today to the discovery of a mans body at a house in Roundhay, Leeds. The body of a man in his 80s was found at the property. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Jimmy Savile was dead. He had died peacefully in his sleep at his sixth-floor penthouse in Lakeview Court, overlooking the nearby park. Cigar-chomping Sir Jimmy had recently had suspected pneumonia and was just two days away from his 85th birthday. He was found by Alan Hepworth, the caretaker of his block. Savile was lying on his bed, wearing one of his trademark track suits with a chunky gold bracelet and watch. The flat, with its large, L-shaped white sofa, had decor described as poor mans Elvis and famously had no oven; An oven means cooking and cooking means women and that means brain damage, was Saviles explanation.

A cigar butt was lying in an ashtray on his coffee table. Mr Hepworth said: I think he had a pretty good idea his time had come. He looked totally at peace. Id been knocking and knocking and went in and said, Morning Jimmy and saw him on his bed. I thought he was asleep, he looked so peaceful.

No more would his catchy phrases such as Hows about that, then? Goodness gracious and Guys and gals be heard.

The brief West Yorkshire police statement confirming his death went around the globe in moments; the man in his 80s was, after all, famous throughout the world, not just in Britain where he had been a household name for half a century, but in countries he had never visited. His larger-than-life personality, his unique appearance with his long blond hair, garish track suits and ostentatious jewellery, his never-ending work for others less fortunate than himself, plus a zest for life and people men, women and children had given him a legendary place in society.

He had hosted the fabled BBC show Top of the Pops when it was launched in 1974 and was associated with it throughout the programmes history. Jimll Fix It , the programme he was to be forever linked with, was one of the defining light-entertainment shows of a golden age of British television. He was loved by both the man in the street and by royalty. In 1990 his charity work, to which he had seemed to devote astonishing time, energy and dedication and which had raised an estimated 40 million for good causes, had resulted in him being knighted. The nation was concerned seven years later when Savile had a heart bypass operation, and relieved to see that he made a good recovery.

Children especially adored his madcap, avuncular personality. At one stage an estimated 20,000 youngsters a week had written in to his shows requesting favours. He seemed to have a rapport with the young, based perhaps so amateur psychologists might ponder on the child within himself, the little boy inside Saviles burly body.

As soon as news of his death reached the world, the obituaries, many of which noted in that most ambiguous of phrases he never married, contained countless tributes to Savile from the great and the good, as well as the not-so-famous.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the tributes to Savile described by some as a court jester when a Clarence House spokeswoman, said: The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were saddened to hear of Jimmy Saviles death and their thoughts are with his family at this time.

The BBC Director-General at the time, Mark Thompson, said he was very sad to hear the news. From Top of the Pops to Jimll Fix It , Jimmys unique style entertained generations of BBC audiences, he said. Like millions of viewers and listeners we shall miss him greatly.

Politicians too sang his praises. Then Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: Sir Jimmy Savile was one of broadcastings most unique and colourful characters. From Top of the Pops , to making childrens dreams come true on Jimll Fix It , a generation of people will remember his catchphrases and sense of fun.

But his lasting legacy will be the millions he raised for charity, tirelessly giving up his time and energy to help those causes he was passionate about.

Charles Kennedy, former Liberal Democrat leader added: He was a true and long-standing friend to the West Highlands over decades of diligence and decency. It was a privilege to follow on from him as Chieftain of the Lochaber Games and I salute his commitment to the local mountain rescue teams. Indeed, when not resident at his home in Glencoehe made it available for mountain rescue use. It was typical of the man that he never drew attention to such characteristic generosity. A sad loss indeed.

Former deputy Labour leader Lord Prescott Tweeted: Sad to hear of Jimmy Saviles death. Tireless fundraiser and a real character. nowthennowthen.

Sad news, tweeted the opera singer Katherine Jenkins. My sis and I always wanted a Jimll Fix It medal. Loved that show. Great memories.

Fellow music presenters were among those who paid tribute to Savile. He was a very energetic character, David Diddy Hamilton said, but most of all, I remember him as just a totally flamboyant, over the top, larger than life character and as he was on the air, he was just the same off.

Radio host Paul Burnett said his charity work was a two way street, adding: He didnt have a family as such and so when he took on a charity, that became his family. He did a lot of work as a porter in the hospital that he collected money for. He would go there at night and work as a porter and I think he loved the people that he worked with, it wasnt just for the publicity, but he knew the charities were doing well out of it as well. He was capable of acts of great kindness.

He added: You didnt really ever get to know the man because he was a showman, and like so many showmen thats it, thats their main thing in life and he did it brilliantly.

Comedian Ricky Gervais said: RIP Jimmy Savile. My first guest on my first TV show. A proper British eccentric.

Where words of praise were expressed on the news of his death, they were almost always followed by tributes to his charity work.

He had raised millions for the creation of the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, after severe weather caused damage to the old prefab wooden huts which had housed spinal cord injury patients. Savile was a volunteer at the hospital and ran more than 200 marathons for various charitable organisations.

A spokeswoman for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: Sir Jimmy has been a great supporter of Stoke Mandeville Hospital for a number of decades. He was tireless in his attempts to fundraise for the hospital and was integral in the creation of the National Spinal Injuries Centre that we have today. Sir Jimmy will be sorely missed by staff and patients alike.

Two of Sir Jimmys nephews confirmed that their uncle had died peacefully in his sleep. As Roger Foster and Ian McKenna paid tribute to Sir Jimmy outside his flat, Mr Foster said: It is with deep sadness that I can tell you that our uncle Sir Jimmy Savile passed away quietly in his sleep during the night. Jimmy was a wonderful man; his public face is well known but we knew him as much more than an uncle, he was a very good friend. Jimmy will be sadly missed by very many people. We would like to thank the people who have already offered their condolences.

The aftermath of his death and the preparations for his burial were practically akin to those normally associated with members of the Royal Family.