MEMORIAL AND BOOK OF CONDOLENCE FOR SIR JIMMY SAVILE

A memorial and book of condolence to the late Sir Jimmy Savile has been set up in SAVILES hall opposite the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

“Sir Jimmy was a great friend and a driving force for us and we want to pay tribute to the man. He was a legend – an extraordinary larger than life character,” said James Vincent, Managing Director of Royal Armouries International.

“We share the grief of his passing and hope his loyal local fans will appreciate this as a fitting place in which to honour his memory and lay any flowers or mementoes.”

The foyer of the hall has been made over to house the book of remembrance for fans to sign, with a lifesize poster of Sir Jimmy in his trademark “Jim’ll Fix It” chair in the background.

He was reunited with the iconic item just three years ago when Savile’s Hall bought the chair on Ebay after it had not been seen in public for nearly 20 years.

At the time he said: “I’m not usually an emotional person but on this occasion I will be full of memories about the 1300 Fix-Its. We made so many people happy over the 20 years of the programme.

“I’m very pleased the chair is still here and I’m looking forward to sitting in it a few more times!”

The chair is just one of the many items on show that markthe various phases of Sir Jimmy’s long and prominent career as he rose from working down one of the local pits to becoming a nationally known figure and confidante to the stars.

Among these are his distinctive BMW – the bright yellow 250cc bubble car that he drove in the Swinging Sixties. Sir Jimmy bought the car when he was a resident DJ at the New Elizabethan Ballroom, Belle Vue in Manchester and is on show complete with the rotating orange beacon on the roof that he fitted after being nearly flattened by a lorry that did not see him.

Savile’s Hall also has a comprehensive photo gallery featuring the many celebrities and pop stars that Sir Jimmy met, ranging from Elvis and Nancy Sinatra to the Beatles – as well as his many appearances on Top of The Pops.

Sir Jimmy opened the hall, Leeds’ largest venue, in 2006 and supported it in every way he could, attending a fifth anniversary celebration in May this year.

“He was inspirational – he had the audience in his hand as he told them that, tough as times were, we always would be able to work our way onward and upward,” said James Vincent.