Commons tribute to Sir Jimmy Savile as fans set to say goodbye

Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton has tabled a Commons motion praising the “enormous contribution” to charity and national life of the larger-than-life DJ, broadcaster and fundraiser.

The motion, which has also been backed by Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, expresses “condolences and sympathy” to Sir Jimmy’s family and friends.

Sir Jimmy’s body will be taken to the Queens Hotel in his home town of Leeds in a closed coffin next Tuesday so well-wishers can say goodbye to him ahead of a Requiem Mass in the city the next day, Wednesday, November 9.

The broadcasting icon will be buried the following day in Scarborough, which he loved and where he also had a home.

The Requiem Mass at St Anne’s Cathedral is expected to be a very public celebration of his life attended by Sir Jimmy’s friends from the world of showbusiness, representatives of the many charities he helped and hundreds of members of the public.

The veteran DJ, who presented the first episode of Top Of The Pops as well as his long-running show Jim’ll Fix It, was found dead at his flat near Roundhay Park in Leeds on Saturday, just two days before his 85th birthday.

His death followed a spell in hospital last month with a suspected bout of pneumonia.

Known for his trademark catchphrases, tracksuits and tinted glasses, friends and colleagues described Sir Jimmy as a “larger than life” character who was dedicated to charity work.

He started his working life as a miner before running a series of clubs and working as a wrestler and DJ.

He raised millions of pounds for charity and for many years was a regular marathon runner in support of good causes.

Sir Jimmy raised £20m for the creation of the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, in 1983 following damage caused by severe weather to the old pre-fab wooden huts which had housed patients who had suffered spinal cord injury.

He was a volunteer at the hospital and ran more than 200 marathons for various charitable organisations.

Two of Sir Jimmy’s nephews said their uncle died peacefully in his sleep on Friday night.

Roger Foster and Ian McKenna paid tribute to Sir Jimmy outside his flat.

Mr Foster said: “Jimmy was a wonderful man. His public face is well-known but we knew him as much more than an uncle. He was a very good friend. Jimmy will be sadly missed by many people.”

Radio presenter David Hamilton said: “I remember him as just a totally flamboyant, over the top, larger than life character and as he was on the air, he was just the same off.”

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led tributes to the star.