EXPOSURE: THE OTHER SIDE OF JIMMY SAVILLE
Far from his image as a genial eccentric and charity fundraiser, the programme alleged Sir Jimmy Savile was a sexual predator who preyed on young girls. The claims first aired in Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile in an ITV exclusive were to generate enormous media coverage (more than 40 days’ worth of front page leads), lead to a nationally co-ordinated police investigation (with 450 victims and counting) and led to a doubling of calls to the NSPCC.
The investigation was led by child protection officer Mark Williams-Thomas who with producer Lesley Gardiner spent months winning the trust and confidence of the victims. Many more would speak off the record, but - even for those whose identity remained protected - appearing on national television to talk about their childhood assault was a traumatic experience. Their bravery deserves our gratitude.
The scoop of the Year
Like everyone who works here I was appalled by the things I saw in the ITV documentary.
I am determined it will do everything it can to find out what happened.
The investigation was led by child protection officer Mark Williams-Thomas who with producer Lesley Gardiner spent months winning the trust and confidence of the victims. Many more would speak off the record, but - even for those whose identity remained protected - appearing on national television to talk about their childhood assault was a traumatic experience. Their bravery deserves our gratitude.
AWARDS
2012 International Peabody Award winner
2012 New York International Television and Film Awards - Silver Medal
2013 RTS Journalism Home Current Affairs Programme of the Year winner
2013 RTS Journalism Scoop of the Year winner
2013 Broadcast Press Guild Single Documentary Award winner
