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Steve Coogan continued shooting new BBC drama The Reckoning on Thursday, in which he portrays notorious DJ Jimmy Savile.
The Alan Partridge actor, 56, was seen jogging in a Manchester park wearing a Seventies-inspired tracksuit, heavy gold rings and a shock of dark hair, as he was styled into a young version of the disgraced star, who died in 2011.
The scenes Steve was shooting for the show, which is due to air next year, date as far back as the 1950s, when Savile had dark hair and not the wiry, peroxide blond bob for which he became known later in life and prior to his fall from grace.
Steve ran alongside Robert Emms, 35, who is portraying Savile’s chauffeur Ray Teret, who was convicted of rape and indecent assault in 2014 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in prison in May 2021 at the age of 79.
Changes: Steve Coogan continued shooting new BBC drama The Reckoning on Thursday, in which he portrays notorious DJ Jimmy Savile
Steve was looking strained as he ran alongside a canal while sporting the burgundy tracksuit with white piping, which is near-identical to many of Savile’s ensembles.
He had chest hair visible from beneath his track top while his fingers were stacked with gold rings and his hair was styled into a dark brown do.
In character as Teret, Robert meanwhile wore a light blue crew-neck top with dark blue trousers as he ran alongside his co-star in the park.
It was confirmed last month that the BBC has commissioned the show, which will trace Savile’s upbringing, career and prolific child sex offences, however many insisted the dramatisation comes ‘too soon’ after his offences were unveiled.
Different look: The Alan Partridge actor, 56, was seen jogging in a Manchester park wearing a Seventies-inspired tracksuit, heavy gold rings and a shock of dark hair, as he was styled into a young version of the disgraced star, who died in 2011
Changing look: The scenes Steve was shooting for the show, which is due to air next year, date as far back as the 1950s, when Savile had dark hair
Disgusting: Steve ran alongside Robert Emms, 35, who is portraying Savile’s chauffeur Ray Teret. Teret was convicted of rape and indecent assault in 2014 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in prison in May 2021 at the age of 79
On track: Steve was looking strained as he ran alongside a canal while sporting the burgundy tracksuit with white piping, which is near-identical to many of Savile’s ensembles
On the run: He had chest hair visible from beneath his track top while his fingers were stacked with gold rings and his hair was styled into a dark brown do
Earlier this month, BBC drama boss Piers Wenger defended The Reckoning when he spoke during a press conference, in which he sought to quell concerns that the series had been commissioned too soon after Savile’s crimes came to light.
Wenger said: ‘It’s a decade since Jimmy Savile died [and] it will be a decade next year since his behaviours first came into the public eye. Our primary intention with the drama is to give voice to the victims.’
He continued: ‘[We want to tell] their stories sensitively and with the utmost respect. There are still many important questions that need to be answered about Savile, so I think it’s incredibly important that the BBC tell that story.’
Changes: He was not seen with the wiry, peroxide blond bob for which he became known later in life and prior to his fall from grace
Shoot: The group was focused on the duo as they ran along a canal
Speeding: The two men wore similar sporting ensembles
Wenger was also asked how a dramatized show such as The Reckoning would be able to add anything yet to be addressed by the factual documentaries that have been made about Savile.
He replied: ‘The documentaries that have been on show you the heinous and nature of his crimes, but I’ve yet to see one that really answers the question, ”How did this happen?”’
He added that The Reckoning has been ‘extensively researched’ and that ‘many of the survivors’ are involved in the drama’s making.
Scenes: Steve has spoken out at length about his decision to play the DJ
Capture: Cast and crew trod ahead of the duo to capture the scene
Speeding ahead: Steve looked strained as he filmed the tough scenes
Earlier: Steve is depicting a younger Savile with darker hair (Savile pictured in 1976)
The decision to chronicle Savile’s life has come under fire from many and this is not the first time the BBC has emphasized they worked with his victims and will portray the story ‘with sensitivity and respect’.
Steve, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one ‘I took lightly’.
He added: ‘Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which, however harrowing, needs to be told.’
Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television’s biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011.
Lead role: Steve, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one ‘I took lightly’
New look: Savile became synonymous with his distinctive style of jewellery and tracksuits
On set: Steve was pictured wearing a jester outfit earlier this month as he filmed scenes in character as Savile
In his final years, he fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career with the BBC – with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama.
A BBC-led inquiry into his actions found he had molested at least 72 children, some as young as eight, over a four decade campaign of sexual abuse with his first victim in 1959 and his last in 2006.
His horrific reign of abuse could be charted ‘in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises’, their 2016 report found.
A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months.
Shocking: Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television’s biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011
Shoot: In his final years, he fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career with the BBC – with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama
Speeding: The duo looked strained as they ran while dressed as the disgraced duo
Changing look: The scenes were captured in a Manchester park
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