What happened when Jimmy Savile went on Big Brother as disturbing comments will never air again

Big Brother returned to TV screens on Sunday (8 October), while yesterday (9 October) saw the release of Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning.

Steve Coogan's 'stomach churning' performance as the paedophile has been praised by viewers who found it chilling, while some are remembering the time Savile appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and made a series of disturbing comments.

Savile died in 2011 at the age of 84 and little less than a year later it was revealed to the public that he had been one of the most heinous paedophiles in British history, having preyed on countless people over several decades.

Operation Yewtree found that Savile had been a predatory sex offender with investigations launched into the BBC and NHS.

With the truth about Savile revealed, much of his past behaviour was seen in a new light and many were left wondering how he was able to hide in plain sight for so long.

Among those moments people viewed in a different light was his brief appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

When did Jimmy Savile appear on Celebrity Big Brother?

Channel 4

Savile entered the Big Brother house for the fourth iteration of the show's celebrity version in January 2006.

That was the year in which the show was won by Chantelle Houghton, a non-celebrity tasked with tricking the other housemates into believing she was a famous figure.

Also in the house were comedian Michael Barrymore, pop star Pete Burns, basketball player Dennis Rodman, Ordinary Boys singer Preston, rapper Maggot, actor Traci Bingham, politician George Galloway, actor Rula Lenska, model Jodie Marsh and former FA secretary Faria Alam.

On day 10 in the house, Savile entered and in a reference to his show Jim'll Fix It, promised to 'fix' things for the celebrities by giving them gifts.

What did Savile say on the show?

Channel 4

Upon entering the Big Brother house, Savile told Rodman: "I want you to know I have a violent temper but you have nothing to fear from me."

He then said: "I'd like to marry all of you ladies for at least 24 hours."

Savile then told rapper Maggot, real name Andrew Major, 'you have nothing to fear from me either' before moving onto Houghton.

"I know that many fellas love you, but they don't love you with the sincerity and tenderness I do. I always tell the truth even when I'm lying," Savile told her as he kissed her hand.

When he told the celebrities he was there to fix things for them. Houghton told him her earring needed fixing and Savile responded 'my place or yours'.

Savile later told Lenska she looked 'far prettier' than she did on TV 'in the flesh' before saying: "Don't forget ladies, I'm available most weekends for home visits."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivor’s Trust for free on 08088 010 818, or through their website thesurvivorstrust.org