Steve Coogan ‘cancels events’ over Jimmy Savile backlash fears

Coogan has received huge praise, and backlash, for his role as Jimmy Savile

The Reckoning, which was released on Monday, chronicles the life story of one of Britain's most evil sons, the disgraced DJ Jimmy Savile, who was able to evade capture as a prolific sex offender throughout his entire life.

In the show, which has been hailed as a sinister masterpiece, it is Coogan who stars as Savile and does so with a terrifying likeness to the infamous paedophile.

Despite facing backlash for creating a TV show about Savile, The Reckoning was created with the help of many of Savile's abuse survivors who appear in the show as themselves and also helped behind the scenes.

As a result of some of the backlash, Coogan has now reporedly cancelled a handful of book signings for his latest Alan Partridge book, Big Beacon.

Coogan was due to sign copies of the book this week while in character as Partridge however it's reported there are fears that the comedy would be unsuitable coming so soon after portraying Savile.

One source told The Sun: "Steve’s team were aware of the highly sensitive nature of the BBC drama and how it could jar with him getting into character as Alan for his book. No one wants to cause a stir."

Related links:

• Viewers praise Steve Coogan’s performance as Jimmy Savile
• Ex-cop who exposed Jimmy Savile looking to bring down ‘untouchable’ sex offender
• Prince Charles asked paedophile Jimmy Savile for help with royal family image