Part Two: Jimmy Savile: Britain's Unending Nightmare

Part Two of 'Behind the Bastards' delves into the early career and predatory behavior of Jimmy Savile, tracing his rise from a failed cyclist to a media sensation in 1950s and 60s Britain. The episode reveals how Savile leveraged his eccentric appearance, working-class persona, and access to pop culture icons like the Beatles and Rolling Stones to gain immense influence over teenage audiences. He cultivated a reputation as a 'teen whisperer,' using his role as a DJ and event host to normalize physical intimacy with underage girls, often under the guise of career advancement. His manipulation was enabled by a media landscape dominated by the BBC, which, despite knowing of his behavior, continued to promote him due to his popularity with youth audiences. The episode exposes the systemic complicity of institutions, including the police and the BBC, who either ignored or actively protected Savile, with one infamous 1967 incident where a town was forced to provide him with a 'guard of honor' of underage girls. The narrative underscores how Savile’s self-constructed image as a 'weirdo' served as a cloak for his crimes, allowing him to evade scrutiny for decades. The episode also details the psychological and physical toll on his victims, including a harrowing account of a 16-year-old girl raped after being promised a gift from Elvis Presley. Despite multiple warnings and investigations—such as a 1967 magazine probe that was suppressed due to Savile’s column—no meaningful action was taken. The hosts emphasize that Savile’s crimes were not hidden but normalized within a culture that prioritized celebrity, youth culture, and entertainment over child safety. The episode ends on a grim note, foreshadowing that the full extent of his crimes will be revealed in future installments, implicating not just individuals but entire institutions, including the royal family and political elite.