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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.’
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Leeds with hundreds of jobs available
Emily Sergeant
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
The Hoot -
30th December 2021 
