Talk:Jimmy Savile/Archive 1

Commonly misspelled surname
Although there's mention of this further down the article, I have added a note in the first paragraph (in brackets) that his name is often misspelled as 'Saville'. This fact was actually there a while ago, but someone has since removed it. However, please let me argue why I think it should remain: Basically, after all Jimmy's years in showbusiness, there are even *recent* articles around the net where the writer has misspelled his surname. By keeping this reminder in the first paragraph, it will help those writing about Jimmy in the future to get it right; don't forget, Wiki IS an encylopedia and people come here for reference. Not to put too fine a point on it, here's hoping the mad old fool makes it to the 'ton, but how bad would it be for Obit writers to perpetuate the mistake even after he's gone! Jaydash, 02:32, 30 October 2007


 * Almost four years to the day after this was written, ITV duly obliged.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 20:25, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

He invented the concept of DJing?
DJ magazibe disputes he invented DJing: http://xo.typepad.com/blog/2008/05/mixing-desk-bel.html

Ron Diggings instead being credited.

no tilde on this keybrd — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.113.96.60 (talk) 21:26, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

It has been said that Jimmy Savile invented DJing with two turntables. Is there any truth in this? Warofdreams talk 01:42, 25 November 2005 (UTC)


 * Yes he got some bloke to weld two turntables together. See Jooler 18:07, 26 November 2005 (UTC)

Well, it seems that people have undone a lot of stuff since I was last here, because I researched this ages ago and added something like 'Savile is widely recognised as the person who invented DJing as we know it today'. From memory, many DJs around the world recognise his contribution. Actually, I've now tidied it a bit and put the statement back in the article, having cited two sources, not including Wiki's own article on DJing (search for DJ), which also makes it clear about Savile. Jaydash, 00:34, 30 October 2007


 * I can remember this being mentioned to him on a radio interview ages ago back in the 1980s and he spoke about his being the first 'disco' ever. IIRC, he mentioned that he had two turntables and that it was basically a dancehall with recorded, rather than live, music. Back then, all 'dances' (the events) had live musicians (dance bands) playing, which was expensive for the venue organiser. When Savile turned up all the venue organiser had to pay for was for the 'disc jockey' - Savile himself - rather than ten or twenty musicians. This meant that many more venues could afford 'music' and so discos became popular culminating in the disco music scene of the late 1970s.


 * As today, Savile used two turntables so as to avoid any gap in the music when the records were being changed, so that people could carry on dancing all the time - how many amateur (school) discos have you been to as a teenager where the DJ messes this up and you all stand around in embarrassed silence until they get another record on - LOL! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.112.59.209 (talk) 21:15, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Mother
I think he did live with his mother shortly after her death - I can't remember if it was a day after she died or a couple of days, but he admitted this in When Louis Met Jimmy. DavidFarmbrough 08:54, 24 January 2006 (UTC)


 * Fair enough. Feel free to put the word back. It might be worth being more explicit with the wording to make clear that that's the intention. --Whouk (talk) 09:22, 24 January 2006 (UTC)

I was being careful to only report what Savile himself had admitted and therefore nothing that was in dispute. Wording is now being changed. DavidFarmbrough 12:34, 25 January 2006 (UTC)
 * Lumos says he edited to "Revert unsourced possible libel by DavidFarmbrough)" - this is a bit cheeky. I was very careful to say only what Savile himself had admitted in the documentary When Louis Met Jimmy. How can this be libel? I am not bothered to re-revert it, but please note it's not unsourced, and it's not possible libel! DavidFarmbrough 08:41, 30 January 2006 (UTC)

Snide
This article seems to be very snide, for example doesn't the claim that he never properly runs marathons need citation if it is true? I think the man is repugnant but this is an encyclopedic entry and it should be verified Adamshappy 14:49, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

The entry you mention, which was probably just vandalism from a detractor, seems to have been removed now. Jaydash, 02:10, 30 October 2007

His 'catchphrase groan'
I'm not sure if the correct term of it is 'groan' but I'm sure that should be included in the 'Catchphrases' Section. Perhaps an .ogg could be added, if found online.

I think groan is the only way to describe it and I've altered the article to talk about a 'sustained warbling groan type sound'. Theres's probably a technical term like vibrato, but people will know what I mean by that. Actually, I have now made a 'Catchphrases and Distinctive Appearance' section, because Jimmy is defined by these two things. I mean, people of a certain age would only have to hear a sound clip of that groan, and would immediately know who it is. His clothes and 'look' are also very important, otherwise it could be any old geezer if seen in the street sans tracksuit/ gold/ wacky hair. Jaydash, 02:11, 30 October 2007

Legal action?
The article says "In 1994 Chris Morris announced on BBC Radio 1 (as a joke) that Savile had collapsed and died; this prompted legal action." Erm... what legal action? Where's the source for this? It's hardly libel! DavidFarmbrough 11:19, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

I've reworded that now as it seems that Savile *threatened* legal action, that much is true. Jaydash, 02:12, 30 October 2007

I think he was a hospital porter at Stoke Mandeville, not Broadmoor
Certainly, he was heavily involved for many years in fundraising for Stoke Mandeville, and I always believed that was where he was a porter. I'm not certain though. Enginear 21:16, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

I don't know about anywhere else, but Jimmy was a porter at St James,(Jimmy's) Leeds. I presumed it was volunatry work. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.194.118.115 (talk) 16:02, 2 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Surely his contribution at Broadmoor was a special "Jimmy Savile room" where he met and engaged in counselling with some of the inmates? BridesheadRecarpeted (talk) 17:03, 18 November 2011 (UTC)
 * Have amended article. He certainly volunteered at Broadmoor. And he had his own room there where he could stay. BridesheadRecarpeted (talk) 19:15, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Marathon running too low-key
It says "He is also known for running marathons (many of them again for Phab, including their annual half marathon around Hyde Park) and completed the London Marathon in 2005." This doesn't cover it. The point is he was the FIRST celebrity marathon runner. You saw him training along Street Lane, Leeds, long before the idea crossed anyone else's mind.139.133.7.37 10:20, 22 September 2007 (UTC)

I have to admit, I thought that he was infamous for running marathons, especially in the 80s. However, I can't find much about how many he's done or when he first started etc, so perhaps he hasn't done as many as we think? Perhaps someone could research the point being made above? Jaydash, 02:21, 30 October 2007

Management agent
Anyone know the name of Jimmy's management agent, and if they are a firm with a page already on wikipedia can we get a link please. Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.105.182.19 (talk) 12:06, 7 April 2008 (UTC) Was QVoice Ltd: 4th floor, Holborn Hall, 193-7 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD ,but I'm telling you, unless its for charity, he really won't be interested at the moment:) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.42.227.244 (talk) 00:26, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

Marathon / half-marathon personal bests
It would be interesting to know Sir Jimmy's Personal Bests for the 2 distances which he ran so often for charity; he was in many ways the original celebrity marathon runner.Geekpie (talk) 14:58, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

One source says his London Marathon 1981 time was 4.08.28  - don't know if Google will reveal times for others, better than this? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.42.227.244 (talk) 00:00, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

Reference 10 complaint
Ref 10 is a link to a blank page.--Cymbelmineer (talk) 20:14, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
 * ✅ Rodhull  andemu  20:39, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Ref 10 innacuracy
It says hes a former mensan not a current as the article implies.--Cymbelmineer (talk) 00:18, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Does it matter? Mensa, as an organisation, is geared to those who can pass their tests and pay the fees to belong. To those of us whose IQs have been independently measured as 185 and above, Mensa is somewhat irrelevant, and IQ is a somewhat discredited measure of anything, since it is not necessarily geared to much in particular. For example, Stephen Hawking would certainly fail the standard MENSA test as it is currently set forth, and that perhaps is the realistic perspective here. Rodhull  andemu  00:27, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Fair enough, Wikipedia should be careful though and include third-hand accounts which reflect its content.If mensa doesn't discriminate, and his membership is not revoked, then just keep the membership at default for now then.--Cymbelmineer (talk) 15:58, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

"has helped raise over £40,000,000"
In the referenced television program "When Louis Met - Jimmy Savile" it is Jimmy himself that mentions he has raised over £40,000,000. Jimmy said several things in the show that turned out to be exaggerations. This is very likely to be exaggerated and I don't think this is accurate information for Wikipedia without another source. I have never edited a page before, so I am not sure that I should. Hopefully this discussion will lead to a modification on the page.

Iceburn2003 (talk) 04:23, 20 October 2010 (UTC)
 * Can you point to a more reliable source that gives a figure that can be used? Keith D (talk) 11:32, 20 October 2010 (UTC)


 * I have been unable to find a more reliable source. I see it noted in various articles that he has raised over £40,000,000 but these sources were likely gathered from Wikipedia based on their publishing dates. Unfortunately this is the sort of thing that causes a Wikipedia to potentially be inaccurate. Just because it cant be proven otherwise does that make it valid information for this page? I hope this is an appropriate place for this discussion. Iceburn2003 (talk) 01:52, 29 October 2010 (UTC)
 * The figure cannot be that far out as this news story gives over half the amount for one project alone. Keith D (talk) 11:57, 29 October 2010 (UTC)


 * I agree. That does substantiate the figure he gave. I think the article can stay the way it is. Iceburn2003 (talk) 16:56, 2 November 2010 (UTC)
 * £20,000,000 in this BBC TV Obituary. DavidFarmbrough (talk) 07:50, 10 February 2012 (UTC)

Personal life?
Why isn't there anything about his personal life here? The categories at the bottom say that he's a Roman Catholic but what about the other personal stuff? Is he gay or straight? Has he ever been married? Children?--109.113.54.234 (talk) 22:51, 13 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Says he is a lifelong bachelor. A 'confirmed bachelor' means homosexual, 'lifelong bachelor' means just never married.--EchetusXe 15:07, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Really? "Confirmed bachelor" = homosexual?  Well, live and learn.  I thought it could mean that one just wasn't interested in sex with anyone or anything.  Can you reference the link between "confirmed bachelor" and "homosexual" please?  The Rambling Man (talk) 15:09, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Aha, according to our own article, that was euphemistically true up until the 60s. Probably not true now unless you can argue otherwise! The Rambling Man (talk) 15:12, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
 * heh, I don't need to reference my comments on talk pages. Just it was/is code. Why would you need to confirm that someone was single? Just when a journalist has found a man has been holding Ugandan discussions with another man, possibly whilst the man has been tired and emotional, its a way of calling someone gay without getting sued.--EchetusXe 23:30, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
 * I think that "confirmed bachelor" means "wished to never marry", totally regardless of sex or sexual orientation. I also think that the phrase even meant that in the 50s and 60s. It's hardly surprising that there is no material in the article about Savile's sexual orientation, as he never spoke about relationships in public (or even much in private, one suspects). Certainly his best friend was another man. But that's about all we know. BridesheadRecarpeted (talk) 19:22, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

You can have a direct quote from his autobiography As It Happens p 138-139 that he was not gay. He describes his first introduction to women in detail then adds as an afterthought “….there have been trains and, with apologies to the hit parade, boats and planes (I am a member of the 40,000 ft club) and bushes and fields, corridors, doorways, floors, chairs, slag heaps, desks and probably everything except the celebrated chandelier and ironing board.” Veryscarymary (talk) 11:33, 29 November 2011 (UTC)

Early life
"grew up in Great Bollocks Street"? Looks like vandlism — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.26.137.115 (talk) 10:01, 3 September 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks it looks like it has already been corrected. I have also reverted out other changes by same user. Keith D (talk) 12:44, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

Honourary Green Beret
I believe that claims that only two civilians have been awarded an honourary green beret are inaccurate. Can I suggest that you read the page about film maker Chris Terrill !!!! EricPolymath (talk) 16:23, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Nope, they are 100% accurate - suggest you see the Green Beret's website at  where you'll find many Green Beret holders have left RIP messages to a fellow regiment member (who raised CARTLOADS of dosh for their comrades, who have often been forced to rely on charity handouts after hideous injuries on active service chum)
 * "Awarded honorary Commando Green Beret by the Royal Marines in the 1970s for being one of only two civilians to complete the Royal Marine Commando speed march, 30 miles across Dartmoor carrying 30 lb of kit." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.42.227.244 (talk) 00:04, 30 October 2011 (UTC)
 * I don't know if or where the RN keep a list of honorary Green Beret holders, but I bet it's not on a forum thread about Jimmy Saville. Another honorary recipient is referred to here  ThermalCat (talk) 10:33, 30 October 2011 (UTC)
 * The article doesn't state that only two civilians have been awarded a green beret, but that only two civilians have completed the Royal Marine Commando speed march. matt (talk) 10:51, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

While making his programme "55 Year Old Commando" Terrill was awarded an honourary green beret for completing all four fitness tests required in order to qualify for a green beret in the Royal Marines. These tests are Endurance Test, Nine Mile Speed March, Tarzan Assault Course, 30 Mile Route March EricPolymath (talk) 21:04, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

Beatles
At the end of the article is an uncited reference to:

"Jimmy was a Decca Records D.J on Luxenbourg as all the record companies has their own shows. However Jimmy played Love me do by the Beatles one night on his show in 1962. Jimmy said this was a group to watch!!. Well Decca said no to the group and the rest is history.Parlaphone went on to sign them."

This reported timeline does not match the actual timeline which is that Decca turrned down the Beatles, Parlophone signed them and THEN they recorded LOVE ME DO. (Any number of Beatles biographies have this timeline). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.175.223.241 (talk) 18:21, 29 October 2011 (UTC)


 * This is not in the main text of the article, could you clarify where it is? The only current reference to Decca is "1962, "Ahab the Arab" with Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. Decca, F11493".-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 18:33, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
 * That's what I thought as well, though if you put those words into Google, it flags up this article. Strange.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 18:40, 29 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Possibly he played Love Me Do on TTDC as that show was allowed to feature non-Decca records occasionally---otherwise no terribly-important-member Cliff Richard (EMI Columbia), for example. Rothorpe (talk) 23:39, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

My original unsigned comment - didn't have my log in handy when I made it. Looks like whoever added the "Death" section took out the Beatles part. My original quote was copied out the article - and this would account for it still being in a Google search. The story is minor to the whole character of the man - probably wrong and should simply be left out. My 2 cents worth.

Scotland
Somebody got overzealous and removed all of the material about his links to Scotland, simply because it was tagged as "citation needed". There is sourcing here. The infobox photo shows him at the Highland Games in 2006.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 09:46, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from, 30 October 2011
"Hows about, hows about, now then, now then."

Please amend this page due to recent news... JIMMY SAVILLE HAS DIED (Saturday 28th October 2011) Cause of death = Unknown as of yet, may be revealed soon.

Thank you. www.youtube.com/Diablo666Daemon666

86.23.90.234 (talk) 23:21, 30 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Hi - your desired addition appears to be already included in the article. Off2riorob (talk) 23:25, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from, 31 October 2011
the reference to opening the batting for yorkshire c.c.c. 2nd eleven is bogus and should be referred.Scorecards of all competitive Yorkshire 2nd eleven games are listed on www.cricketarchive.com and you will find no record of Jimmy Savile amongst them 86.26.251.132 (talk) 21:08, 31 October 2011 (UTC)

86.26.251.132 (talk) 21:08, 31 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Yes check.svg Done As unsourced. --Jnorton7558 (talk) 21:34, 31 October 2011 (UTC)

Query about the recent death template
I see that the recent deaths template - which is still, in spite of a discussion some time ago, being used on Wikipedia - was removed from this on October 30. This surprised me, as I would have thought this was quite a well-viewed article (my understanding is that we could use this template on recent deaths of people whose articles were likely to be well viewed). This is likely to be a well-viewed article, so could we have the recent deaths tag returned to the article, please? ACEOREVIVED (talk) 15:13, 1 November 2011 (UTC)


 * Template:Recent death is more about editing frequency than saying "this person has died", which should be apparent from the first sentence and WP:LEAD. The cause of death is not official yet, but should be added in due course.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 16:15, 1 November 2011 (UTC)

Controversies
The page appears to be locked. What about the scandal when he allegedly molested young kids? Ycactlocybetaloyuotpyeainrwoucy (talk) 13:11, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
 * Where are your reliable sources for this? Keith D (talk) 13:18, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
 * WP:DNFTT. So far as we know, it's a myth.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 13:26, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
 * Possibly trolling, but the obituaries did skirt round this. Despite almost certainly being an urban legend, Savile was dogged by this type of gossip for years. Lynn Barber famously asked Savile about this directly in an interview in The Independent on Sunday on 30 January 2000, but did not get very far.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 13:49, 8 November 2011 (UTC)


 * In March 2008, Jimmy Savile instructed his lawyers to take action against The Sun, which had linked him to the Haut de la Garenne child abuse scandal in Jersey. He denied that he had ever visited the home, or that he was the person in this photo (with the dark glasses). This story has been going around the blogosphere since Savile's death, and it would not be at all surprising to see a UK tabloid newspaper rehashing it after the coverage of the funeral has faded from the headlines.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 17:58, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
 * This report doesn't say that he denies visiting the place or being in the photo - it says: "He has no recollection of visiting the home over 30 years ago and any such visit would have been unexceptional." Not the same thing.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 18:06, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
 * You're right, it looks like a non-denial denial . My initial reaction was that the person in the photo does not really look like him, but some people insisted that it was him on a visit to the home in the 1970s. With Savile now dead, the newspapers can publish this and speculate to their hearts' content.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 18:15, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
 * I read and heard a lot of rumours about Sir Jimmy, and was convinced that the truth would come out after his death, when there was no fear of libel action/hurting his feelings/cutting off charitable donations. The fact that nothing has come out leads me to believe he's clean. The story about living with his dead mother's body for days after her death was confirmed by Savile himself in When Louis Met Jimmy, but that isn't of itself immoral, just unusual. The only thing which was morally questionable was his confirmation that he used to be a hard man in nightclubs and tie people up and put them in basements. I am pretty sure he turned his back on that way of life, and despite being creepy, overly flirtatious and unsuitably dressed for a man of his advanced years he seems to have done a lot of good for a lot of people. RIP Sir Jimmy!. DavidFarmbrough (talk) 04:34, 31 January 2012 (UTC)

Edit request from, 10 November 2011
(Jimmy Savile's Burial) I have an image of jimmy's coffin in the hearse, I can send if needed. I am a genuine 1st party witness of Jimmy's burial.

Jimmy arrived at 13:00 at woodlands cemetery in Scarborough, followed by his family. Jimmy was placed on a velvet covered platform, beside his grave. at 13:05, family remember jimmy and the crowd prays as the reverend says his last words. at 13:10, jimmy was laid to rest and family deposit their flowers to him.

Woodysnap (talk) 16:20, 10 November 2011 (UTC)
 * If you would like to upload your image at Wikimedia Commons under a compatible license, we can add it to the article. As for the funeral details, we would need the information to come from a third-party reliable source. — Bility (talk) 18:29, 10 November 2011 (UTC)

Love child?
Front page story in The Sun today is 40-year-old Georgina Ray from Cannock in Staffordshire, who claims to be Savile's love child. Says the article: "She has told friends she was born after her mum Christine had a two-week fling with the womanising DJ in 1970". It looks like she is saying this in good faith, but without a DNA test it is anecdotal.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 07:53, 15 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Does any one have a DNA sample handy? Where's that last cigar butt?? What will the Sunday Sport have next? Martinevans123 (talk) 08:52, 15 December 2011 (UTC)
 * The Sun talks about "using a strand of Jimmy's famous hair retrieved from his apartment". Of course they could also dig him up, but it would have been a lot easier if Ms Ray had made this claim during his lifetime. The Sun article also refers to this recent Daily Mail article, in which Sue Hymns claims to have had an on-off relationship with Savile. Again, this looks like good faith reporting, but neither of these stories is notable enough for his Wikipedia article.-- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 09:11, 15 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Could even Private Eye not invent a more unlikely but fitting name than "Sue Hymns"?! (no disrespsect to Ms Hymns) Martinevans123 (talk) 11:58, 15 December 2011 (UTC)