Career Timeline of Jimmy Savile: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jimmy Savile, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jimmy Savile was a British media personality and DJ, famous for hosting Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It, and known for his charitable work. Posthumously, hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse surfaced, revealing him as a predatory sex offender. These accusations, involving both children and the elderly, shattered his public image. Despite some allegations during his lifetime, they were largely ignored, allowing Savile to continue his abuse for decades.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1929: Twin turntables illustrated in the BBC Handbook

In 1929, twin turntables were illustrated in the BBC Handbook, disproving Savile's claim to be the first to use two turntables.

1931: Twin turntables were advertised for sale in Gramophone magazine

In 1931, twin turntables were advertised for sale in Gramophone magazine, disproving Savile's claim to be the first to use two turntables.

1947: Grand Records Ball

In 1947, Jimmy Savile claimed to be the first to use two turntables and a microphone at the Grand Records Ball at the Guardbridge Hotel.

1955: Management of Mecca-owned Palais dance hall in Ilford

Between 1955 and 1956, Jimmy Savile managed the Mecca-owned Palais dance hall in Ilford, Essex.

1956: Management of Mecca-owned Palais dance hall in Ilford

Between 1955 and 1956, Jimmy Savile managed the Mecca-owned Palais dance hall in Ilford, Essex.

1957: Beginnings of The Vintage Chart Show

Jimmy Savile presented The Vintage Chart Show, playing top tens from 1957 to 1987, on the BBC World Service.

1958: Radio Luxembourg DJ

From 1958 to 1968, Jimmy Savile worked as a DJ at Radio Luxembourg.

1958: Disc Jockey at Radio Luxembourg

In 1958, Jimmy Savile's media career began as a disc jockey at Radio Luxembourg.

May 1960: Young at Heart

In May 1960, Jimmy Savile's first television role was as a presenter of Tyne Tees Television's music programme Young at Heart.

1960: Tyne Tees Television

In 1960, Jimmy Savile began working at Tyne Tees Television.

1964: Regular Presenter on Top of the Pops

From 1964, Jimmy Savile was a regular presenter on the BBC music show Top of the Pops.

1964: Top of the Pops Presentation

In 1964, Jimmy Savile began presenting Top of the Pops, a show aimed at a teenage audience, which he continued for 20 years.

1964: First Edition of Top of the Pops

On New Year's Day 1964, Jimmy Savile presented the first edition of the BBC music chart television programme Top of the Pops.

1968: Radio 1 Host

In 1968, Jimmy Savile began hosting his own radio shows for Radio 1, broadcasting until 1987.

December 1969: Hosting Pop Go the Sixties

On 31 December 1969, Jimmy Savile hosted the BBC/ZDF co-production Pop Go the Sixties, shown across Western Europe.

1969: Speakeasy on Radio 1

From 1969 to 1973, Jimmy Savile fronted Speakeasy, a discussion programme for teenagers on Radio 1.

1971: Adrian Street has wrestling bout with Savile

In 1971, Adrian Street, a professional wrestler, had a wrestling bout with Jimmy Savile. Street commented that had he known then what he knows now about Savile, he'd have given him an even bigger hiding.

1973: Clunk, Click

From 1973, Jimmy Savile's Saturday-night chat/variety show Clunk, Click aired on BBC One.

1973: Jimmy Savile's Old Record Club

In 1973, Jimmy Savile's Old Record Club began on Radio 1, featuring old charts and a "points system" quiz.

1974: Eurovision Song Contest

In 1974, Clunk, Click featured the UK heats of the Eurovision Song Contest featuring Olivia Newton-John.

1974: Honorary President of Phab

In 1974, Jimmy Savile became the honorary president of Phab (Physically Handicapped in the Able Bodied community), a role he held until 1988.

1974: Publication of 'As it Happens'

In 1974, Jimmy Savile's autobiography "As it Happens" was published, containing admissions of improper sexual conduct which appeared to have passed unnoticed during his lifetime.

As it happens, Jimmy Savile, O.B.E: His autobiography

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1975: Start of Jim'll Fix It

From 1975 to 1994, Jimmy Savile presented Jim'll Fix It.

1976: Reprint of 'As it Happens' as 'Love is an Uphill Thing'

In 1976, Jimmy Savile's autobiography "As it Happens" was reprinted as "Love is an Uphill Thing".

Love Is an Uphill Thing (Coronet Books)

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1981: Jimmy Savile Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust

In 1981, Jimmy Savile set up the Jimmy Savile Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust.

1984: Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust

In 1984, Jimmy Savile established the Leeds-based Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust.

March 1987: The Vintage Chart Show

From March 1987 until October 1989, Jimmy Savile presented The Vintage Chart Show on the BBC World Service.

1987: End of Radio 1 Shows

In 1987, Jimmy Savile's broadcasting on Radio 1 concluded after 19 years.

August 1988: Appointment to Broadmoor Task Force

In August 1988, Jimmy Savile was appointed by junior health minister Edwina Currie as chair of an interim task force overseeing the management of Broadmoor Hospital, following the suspension of its board members.

1988: Departure from Top of the Pops

In 1988, Jimmy Savile's tenure as a regular presenter on the BBC music show Top of the Pops concluded. He later co-presented the last edition in 2006.

1988: End of Phab Presidency

In 1988, Jimmy Savile's tenure as the honorary president of Phab (Physically Handicapped in the Able Bodied community) concluded, having held the role since 1974.

March 1989: Broadcast on various stations around the UK

From March 1989 to August 1997, Jimmy Savile broadcast on various stations around the UK (mostly taking the Gold format, such as the West Midlands' Xtra AM and the Classic Gold network in Yorkshire) where he revived his Radio 1 shows.

July 1989: Savile Wins Libel Case

On July 11, 1989, Jimmy Savile won his legal proceedings against News Group Newspapers, after the News of the World published an article in January 1988. News Group paid his legal costs, and he received an apology from editors Kelvin MacKenzie and Patsy Chapman.

October 1989: End of The Vintage Chart Show

Jimmy Savile's presentation of 'The Vintage Chart Show' on the BBC World Service ended in October 1989.

1989: Guidelines to Prince Charles

In 1989, Jimmy Savile hand-wrote an unofficial set of guidelines to Prince Charles on how members of the royal family and staff may respond to disasters. Charles shared the dossier with Prince Philip, who passed it on to Queen Elizabeth II.

1994: End of Jim'll Fix It

From 1975 to 1994, Jimmy Savile presented Jim'll Fix It.

August 1997: Broadcast on various stations around the UK

1999: Panelist on Have I Got News for You

In 1999, Jimmy Savile appeared as a panellist on Have I Got News for You.

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April 2000: When Louis Met... Jimmy

In April 2000, Jimmy Savile was the subject of a documentary by Louis Theroux in the 'When Louis Met...' series, where he confided about beating people up and rumours of paedophilia. He said that it was easier for him to say he didn't like children, because that put a lot of salacious tabloid people off the hunt.

December 2005: Real Radio Show

On 25 December 2005, Jimmy Savile presented a show on the Real Radio network, counting down the festive Top 10s of 10, 20, and 30 years previously.

July 2006: Co-hosting final Top of the Pops

On 30 July 2006, Jimmy Savile co-hosted the final weekly edition of the BBC music chart television programme Top of the Pops, ending it with the words "It's number one, it's still Top of the Pops".

2006: Co-presenting the last edition of Top of the Pops

In 2006, Jimmy Savile co-presented the final edition of the BBC music show Top of the Pops.

2006: Final Top of the Pops Appearance

In 2006, Jimmy Savile's appearance on the final edition of Top of the Pops was pre-recorded, because it clashed with the Lochaber Highland Games where he was chieftain.

January 2007: Real Radio New Year show

On 1 January 2007, Jimmy Savile presented shows on the Real Radio network.The show featured Savile recounting anecdotes from his past and playing associated records, mostly from the 1960s and some from the 1970s.

2007: Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again

In 2007, Jimmy Savile returned to television with Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again showing some of the most popular fix-its, recreating them with the same people, and making new dreams come true.

November 2008: Possible cameo role in the programme Top of the Pops

On 20 November 2008, Jimmy Savile was interviewed by the BBC about the revival of Top of the Pops for a Christmas comeback, he said he would welcome a "cameo role" in the programme.

2009: Honored for Charity Work

In 2009, Jimmy Savile was described by The Guardian as a "prodigious philanthropist" and was honored for his charity work.

2010: Leeds University Research Enterprise Scholarship Scheme Commitment

In 2010, Jimmy Savile's sponsorship of medical students in the Leeds University Research Enterprise scholarship scheme received a commitment of £500,000 over the following five years.

October 2011: Bequest to Leeds University Research Enterprise

Following Jimmy Savile's death in October 2011, it was confirmed that a bequest had been made to allow continued support for the Leeds University Research Enterprise programme.

December 2011: Newsnight investigation into Savile's sexual abuse withdrawn

In December 2011, BBC's Newsnight program withdrew an investigation into Jimmy Savile based on reports he was a sexual abuser. The investigation included interviews with alleged victims of abuse at Duncroft Approved School for Girls, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and the BBC. Two tributes to Savile were broadcast instead over Christmas 2011.

December 2011: Newsnight investigation into Savile's sexual abuse not publicly mentioned

In December 2011, there was no public mention of the Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile's alleged sexual abuse immediately after his death, but in early 2012 newspapers reported that the BBC had investigated but not broadcast allegations of abuse. The Oldie alleged a cover-up by the BBC.

December 2011: Nick Pollard appointed to investigate dropped Newsnight investigation

In October 2012, in the wake of the developing scandal, Nick Pollard was appointed to investigate why the Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile's activities was dropped shortly before transmission in December 2011.

October 2012: BBC and NHS inquiries launched

In October 2012, inquiries into practices at the BBC and the National Health Service were initiated due to the developing scandal. George Entwistle, Director-General of the BBC, apologized, and Dame Janet Smith was appointed to review the BBC's culture and practices during Savile's time there. Nick Pollard was appointed to investigate why the Newsnight investigation was dropped in December 2011.

October 2012: Panorama investigation and resignation at Newsnight

On 22 October 2012, the BBC program Panorama broadcast an investigation into Newsnight, finding evidence suggesting "senior manager" pressure; on the same day Newsnight editor Peter Rippon "stepped down" with immediate effect. The Department of Health appointed Kate Lampard to chair investigations into Savile's activities at various hospitals.

December 2012: Review of BBC's handling of Savile allegations

In December 2012, Nick Pollard's review of the BBC's handling of the Savile scandal described the decision not to broadcast the Newsnight investigation as flawed. The review highlighted cogent evidence of Savile's abuse and criticized George Entwistle's caution.

September 2021: Steve Coogan Cast as Savile

In September 2021, Steve Coogan was cast as Jimmy Savile in a dramatisation about Savile's life. Coogan stated that he considered the decision carefully, acknowledging the story's disturbing nature but emphasizing the need to tell it.