Jimmy Savile: Veteran DJ And TV Presenter Dies, Aged 84

Jimmy Savile Dies, Aged 84

Veteran broadcaster and charity campaigner Sir Jimmy Savile has died at his home in Leeds, aged 84.

The police were called to his home on Saturday afternoon. The police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Savile was due to celebrate his 85th birthday on Monday.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police were called at 12.10pm today to the discovery of a man's body at a house in Roundhay, Leeds.

"The body of a man in his 80s was found at the property. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death."

The broadcaster was best known for his show Jim'll Fix It, as well as being a long-running presenter on Top of the Pops.

Speaking to Sky, DJ Dave Lee Travis said: “It's a shock. He was a powerful presence. He was there and in your face. There was no getting away from him. We'll all bit a bit worse off now he's not around.”

Former radio DJ Mike Reid, also speaking to Sky News, said: “He was an enigma. He was impenetrable. No one knew him."

Tony Blackburn, who presented Top of the Pops at the same time as Savile, said the flamboyant DJ was a "one off".

He said: "He was quite a character, I don't think anyone got to know Jimmy Savile, he played Jimmy Savile the whole time."

Blackburn added: "He was just a big, over the top, personality. He did all these marathons the whole time, he was just great fun. He was an unusual person, he was just a one off."

Sir Jimmy will also be remembered as a tireless charity worker and a volunteer. He raised more than £30 million, including £12 million to rebuild the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville.

Sir Jimmy was knighted by the Queen in 1990 and in a statement released by Clarence House today Prince Charles paid tribute.

"The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are saddened to hear of Jimmy Savile's death and their thoughts are with his family at this time," it said.

The BBC's director general, Mark Thompson, said he would be missed greatly.

"I am very sad to hear of Sir Jimmy Savile's death," he said. "From Top Of The Pops to Jim'll Fix It, Jimmy's unique style entertained generations of BBC audiences. Like millions of viewers and listeners we shall miss him greatly."

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