With viewers tuning in to BBC Two to watch the penultimate episode of Line Of Duty, questions were being raised as to whether a photo of Jimmy Savile would make an appearance in the police corruption drama.
While the BBC maintained viewers will agree it acted “responsibly and sensitively” when they watch the episode, Liz Dux, a specialist abuse lawyer for law firm Slater and Gordon – which represents 168 of the disgraced entertainer’s victims – said the BBC was “grossly insensitive” in choosing to air an image of the child abuser.
Will watch #LineOfDuty tonight to see if BBC have had sense to remove #Savile figure .
— Liz Dux – S&G (@LizDuxLawyer) April 21, 2016
But Savile did make an appearance in the drama and some viewers thought it was in poor taste.
Savile? Line of Duty really did just get very dark. #LineOfDuty
— Ali Burquest (@alberquist) April 21, 2016
Good grief Savile #LineOfDuty
— Jane Bramley (@janebramley) April 21, 2016
#LineOfDuty The Jimmy Savile twist is in pretty poor taste…
— Colin Beirne (@beirnecolinp) April 21, 2016
#LineOfDuty is brilliant but the reference to Savile/Yewtree is gratuitous, totally unnecessary and insensitive to victims @BBCOne
— Gary Keast (@scarlettjack1) April 21, 2016
However, Savile isn’t referred to by name in the show. He is only described as “a celebrity” with Hastings saying: “I think we all recognise him.”
Savile photo, but not named – poor compromise in script. You either call him 'Savile' or don't show photo. #lineofduty
— Zorro P Freely (@banalyst) April 21, 2016
Meanwhile, others thought the appearance of Savile made the drama more interesting.
Wow, now Savile is the villain in fiction. #LineOfDuty . This series gets better.
— Blaise Tapp (@blaisetapp1) April 21, 2016
Jimmy Savile chilling appearance on #LineOfDuty Superb drama.
— no1whisky (@no1whisky) April 21, 2016
Jimmy Savile popping up on #LineOfDuty quite extraordinary
— Robert Lycett (@RJLEssex1) April 21, 2016
Earlier, a BBC spokesman said: “Line Of Duty is an established fictional drama series set in a recognisable and authentic world.
“One brief picture has been included to highlight the real-life context of the fictional story – that a fictional police officer suppressed claims of child sexual exploitation by a fictional local politician.
“When viewers have had the opportunity to view the episode for themselves, they will see the BBC has acted responsibly and sensitively towards the victims and survivors of Savile.”
The final episode is expected to be a 90-minute feature and will air next week.
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