Childhood and Education Journey of Jimmy Savile in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 29, 2025

An overview of the childhood and early education of Jimmy Savile, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

October 1926: Birth of Jimmy Savile

In October 1926, James Wilson Vincent Savile was born. He later became a media personality and DJ.

1951: Tour of Britain Cycle Race

In 1951, Jimmy Savile competed in the Tour of Britain cycle race and worked as a professional wrestler.

1953: Death of Vincent Joseph Savile

In 1953, Vincent Joseph Savile, Jimmy Savile's father, died. He was a bookmaker's clerk and insurance agent.

January 1970: This Is Your Life

In January 1970, Jimmy Savile was the subject of the Thames Television series This Is Your Life with Eamonn Andrews.

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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.

1972: Death of Agnes Monica Kelly

In 1972, Agnes Monica Kelly, Jimmy Savile's mother, died.

1975: Life Member of British Gypsy Council

In 1975, Jimmy Savile was made a life member of the British Gypsy Council, becoming the first "outsider" to be made a member.

1984: Member of the Athenaeum

In 1984, Jimmy Savile was accepted as a member of the Athenaeum, a gentlemen's club in London's Pall Mall, after being proposed by Cardinal Basil Hume.

December 1990: This Is Your Life

In December 1990, Jimmy Savile was the subject of the Thames Television series This Is Your Life with Michael Aspel.

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1991: In the Psychiatrist's Chair

In 1991, Jimmy Savile appeared on 'In the Psychiatrist's Chair', where he appeared to be "a man without feelings."

1992: Clare's conclusion about Jimmy Savile

In 1992, Anthony Clare concluded in his introduction to the published transcript of his 1991 interview with Jimmy Savile that "There is something chilling about this 20th-century 'saint'".

1995: Is This Your Life?

In 1995, Andrew Neil interviewed Jimmy Savile for the TV series Is This Your Life?, where Savile "used a banana to avoid discussing his personal life".

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August 1997: Heart-Bypass Operation

On 9 August 1997, Jimmy Savile underwent a three-hour quadruple heart-bypass operation at Killingbeck Hospital in Killingbeck, Leeds. He also arranged for a bench in Scarborough, North Yorkshire to be dedicated to his memory.

2009: Licensed Fancy Dress Costumes

In 2009, a range of licensed fancy dress costumes was released with Jimmy Savile's consent, reflecting his distinctive dress sense.

November 2013: Adrian Street describes Savile's behaviour in interview

In a November 2013 interview, former professional wrestler Adrian Street described how Jimmy Savile would boast about young girls waiting for him outside his dressing room and how he would choose which ones he wanted.

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.