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Jimmy Saville victims invited onto set to watch BBC drama being filmed
Survivors from Top of the Pops will meet with actor Steve Coogan, who is playing the predatory sex offender, onset whilst he is dressed in full costume
Survivors of Jimmy Saville have been invited onto the set of the new BBC drama about the predatory sex offender's life and will meet with actor Steve Coogan, whilst he is dressed in full costume.
Controversial BBC drama The Reckoning has received much criticism, and in a new unexpected move the writer behind it, Neil McKay, has invited Saville's Top of the Pops survivors onto the set to witness filming in action and meet with Coogan, who is playing the role of the horrific predator.
Organisations for sexual abuse victims have blasted the broadcaster for its decision to dramatise the crimes of Jimmy Saville, whilst viewers have called it 'hypocritical'.
The BBC also came under criticism from Jimmy Saville's nephew, who claimed none of the family had been consulted on the drama and accused the broadcaster of 'glorifying' his story.
Speaking to The Radio Times about the decision, McKay said: ‘It’s clearly going to be strange. But they wanted to do it, they’re fully prepared, so it will be interesting’
‘The victims concerned requested to attend filming since we are telling their stories, and all appropriate safeguarding measures were put in place by production to facilitate this.
‘The team are working closely with many people whose lives were impacted by Savile to ensure their stories are told with sensitivity and respect.’
It's not the first time McKay has invited those close to his shocking stories on set, either.
The writer had previously brought the parents of Myra Hindley and Ian Brady's victims down to watch filming as Maxine Peake and Sean Harris took on the roles of the murderers in 2016 ITV drama See No Evil - The Moors Murderers.
The BBC released a statement saying: ‘The team are working closely with many people whose lives were impacted by Savile to ensure their stories are told with sensitivity and respect, and the drama will also draw on extensive and wide-ranging research sources.
‘It will examine the impact his appalling crimes had on his victims and the powerlessness many felt when they tried to raise the alarm.’
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
The Hoot -
30th December 2021 
