Changes

Savile was born in Leeds on 31 October 1926, son of a book-maker. Towards the end of [[World War II]] he worked for some time as a coal miner, one of "Bevin's Boys". He went to become an all-in wrestler before becoming manager of the Mecca Locarno ballroom in his home city of [[Leeds]]. He was an early DJ on the [[BBC]]'s [[pop music]] [[radio]] station Radio 1 and was the first presenter on BBC Television's iconic and long running show ''Top of The Pops''. From the 1970s he hosted ''Jim'll Fix It'' where he granted requests to (mainly) children; the show was revived in 2007. Savile cultivated a comic caricature of an image, with long unkempt white hair and a large cigar always in his mouth, Groucho Marx style.  

Savile was born in Leeds on 31 October 1926, son of a book-maker. Towards the end of [[World War II]] he worked for some time as a coal miner, one of "Bevin's Boys". He went to become an all-in wrestler before becoming manager of the Mecca Locarno ballroom in his home city of [[Leeds]]. He was an early DJ on the [[BBC]]'s [[pop music]] [[radio]] station Radio 1 and was the first presenter on BBC Television's iconic and long running show ''Top of The Pops''. From the 1970s he hosted ''Jim'll Fix It'' where he granted requests to (mainly) children; the show was revived in 2007. Savile cultivated a comic caricature of an image, with long unkempt white hair and a large cigar always in his mouth, Groucho Marx style.  

In the 1960s, he featured in the UK government's campaign to encourage the use of safety-belts in cars, using the slogan "Clunk-click".  

In the 1960s, he featured in the UK government's campaign to encourage the use of safety-belts in cars, using the slogan "Clunk-click".  

He was also noted for his [[charity]] work: he ran in charity marathons, and made frequent hospital visits, ostensibly to boost the morale of patients. Several hospitals gave him their keys as he was such a frequent visitor and enthusiastic patron. This charity work was the reason he was knighted.<ref>Quentin Letts, ''50 People Who Buggered Up Britain'', pub. Constable, 2008.</ref>

He was also noted for his [[charity]] work: he ran in charity marathons and made frequent hospital visits, ostensibly to boost the morale of patients. Several hospitals gave him their keys as he was such a frequent visitor and enthusiastic patron. This charity work was the reason he was knighted.<ref>Quentin Letts, ''50 People Who Buggered Up Britain'', pub. Constable, 2008.</ref>

Savile mixed in the highest circles, being photographed with Prime ministers Edward Heath and Tony Blair, as well as all the leading celebrities of the media and entertainment world. Savile died on 29 October 2011.

Savile mixed in the highest circles, being photographed with Prime ministers Edward Heath and Tony Blair, as well as all the leading celebrities of the media and entertainment world. Savile died on 29 October 2011.