Steve Coogan makes viewers ‘feel sick’ in new BBC Jimmy Savile drama

Steve Coogan made viewers ‘feel sick’ with his portrayal of paedophile TV presenter Jimmy Savile in new drama The Reckoning.

Viewers are hailing the Manchester comedian and actor’s performance, calling for him to be given awards for his portrayal of the notorious former DJ.

Coogan has taken on the role in a new BBC crime drama which follows the life of Jimmy Savile, the paedophile who enjoyed a successful career as a radio DJ and TV presenter from the ‘70s onwards.

Savile died at the age of 84 in 2011, and after his death the full extent of the horrific sexual abuse he committed against children and young people came to light.

Coogan, born in Middleton, is best known for his parody character Alan Partridge, a socially inept and politically incorrect broadcaster.

But fans who tuned in to watch the disturbing and at times hard to watch drama were stunned by the comic’s accurate portrayal of the disgraced media personality.

The first episode of The Reckoning aired yesterday, Monday October 9th, with some viewers saying it made their ‘flesh creep’.

However, many pointed out how impressive Coogan’s performance was in such a serious role, much different to his usual work.

Fans took to Twitter to call for the 55-year-old to win a BAFTA for his performance.

One person tweeted: “Six minutes in; give Steve Coogan the BAFTA now. Absolutely chilled to the bone. #TheReckoning.”

Another said: “I wasn’t convinced this was a good idea but what a job Steve Coogan is doing, it sounds so much like Savile that it’s making my skin crawl just hearing his voice.”

While a third posted: “Steve Coogan is absolutely outstanding in #thereckoning. Bone chillingly accurate voice, mannerisms, etc. So convincing that I feel nauseous watching him.”

There’s been mixed opinions and some intense backlash surrounding the making of the BBC drama about the paedophile, with some thinking it is the right choice and others claiming they will not be watching it.

However, Coogan himself believes the drama’s producers and broadcasters made the ‘correct choice’, telling the Radio Times: “It is controversial and I understand that.

“The BBC are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, and I believe the correct choice is to be damned if they do. Broadly, it’s better to talk about something than not”.

The four-part BBC drama, which has spent a long time in production, tells the story of how Savile rose from a working class background to become one of the most well-known celebrities in the UK.

He started as a DJ playing in Northern dance halls, before eventually becoming a famous and well-connected radio DJ and TV presenter, known for wearing shell suits and smoking cigars.

The series follows his sexual crimes and the impact they had on his victims, while highlighting the importance of ‘talking openly about abuse’ and ‘confronting the horrors of the past’ – including historical abuse.

More than 450 allegations came to light after Savile’s death in 2011. He died of pneumonia at home in his Leeds penthouse. He evaded justice and hid in plain sight throughout his career.

The Reckoning airs on Monday and Tuesday nights on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm.