A BBC drama will examine the impact Jimmy Savile’s appalling crimes had on his victims.
Speaking ahead of the programme, a victim of Jimmy Savile’s horrific abuse, Sam Brown, has shared what it was like being involved in making the BBC show – The Reckoning.
Darren FletcherMum-of-four Sam Brown pictured ahead of BBC’s The Reckoning[/caption]
Who is Sam Brown and when did she meet Jimmy Savile?
Mum of-four Sam Brown was just 11 when she was abused by Jimmy Savile at a chapel at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
It was there the disgraced presenter is thought to have preyed on at least 60 victims over the course of two decades.
What has Sam Brown said about Jimmy Savile?
Sam Brown appeared on Good Morning Britain to share what it was like being involved in making of the BBC factual drama The Reckoning – which documents the life and scandal of Savile.
Sharing what it was like when she first saw actor Steve Coogan as Savile on set, Sam said: ”I kind of thought that I’m a bit invincible and everyone was saying have you thought about how this is going to feel and I was like ‘Yeah no problem’.
”Then there was a graveyard scene, so he [Steve Coogan] began to walk up to us and inside of my head I was screaming like ‘Give me a minute, give me a minute, step back.’ I was doing all of this in my head, not realising that this was coming out of my mouth, I didn’t even know I was saying this.”
Sam continued: ”I am an adult looking back on a child, with my adult views.
”It started when I was about eleven and this went on for about three years. When I saw that child, when me and my husband Jim just watched it by ourselves, I felt really sad for that little girl.
”I really felt sad for her and Jim was like, ‘Well that’s you’. But it was quite a lot to see me as a child because I looked at her as a child.
”It was hard but I want it to be a hard watch because this wasn’t easy for us guys and if it isn’t a hard watch, you aren’t coming away with anything. You’re not having that opportunity to learn and this is very relevant to all the other groomers. The pattern is the same.”
Sam also shared why she believed that Savile was able to get away with his crimes for so long.
She added: ”Do you know what, I think it is the same with any groomer, they have an absolute charm.
”He had a charm to everyone else, not to me. I knew that when I walked into that little presbytery room, that I had to go in and get the collection plate from, I knew when I walked in there that he filled that room with power and I couldn’t look up.”
When asked why she didn’t think she was brave, Sam added: ”I don’t think I am brave, I use all of these opportunities for everyone that can’t. That’s not bravery, that’s my job.
”I feel strongly enough to do this and my life is to do this. We all kind of think that everyone looks at us and kind of thinks we are a bit rubbish and you know we aren’t really worth much and that is what you feel like. I want everyone at home to know that …We are strong and we have succeeded as people, that’s really important for me.”
Sam also opened up on what would say to the people who ”allowed” Savile’s abuse to continue.
She said: ”I don’t know who I would have been. I’m a person that couldn’t fit education in my brain because I was too busy being alive.
”You know the general thing of not loving anyone and not feeling worthy of love. I don’t know who I would have been if they would have stopped it and if they would have saved all these people and now I would say to them ‘It’s your fault and you are accountable’.
”Anybody who knows about any abuse and that is everyday of the week, if you do not raise that, you are party [to it].
”You need to raise that and if somebody isn’t going to listen, then you talk to somebody higher than that because otherwise, you are the person enabling for us to have a real tricksy life!”
What is the BBC show The Reckoning?
As mentioned above, The Reckoning traces the life of Jimmy Savile – who after his death became one of the most reviled figures in modern history following revelations of extensive and horrific abuse.
Ahead of the drama, Sam shared that she has no regrets about being one of four Savile victims who give their real-life testimony before each episode.
Sam was full of praise for the show’s writers and production team, saying: “Neil [McKay] has been so supportive. We’ve been part of writing this story.
“Communication has been constant, it’s a very open forum between the whole crew. That’s the only way I will do these things now. With Neil, I could not have asked for any better.”
She added that a counsellor was always on hand throughout the process, which she said was a “really good” experience.
The Reckoning begins tonight on BBC1 at 9pm.
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