29 October 2011Last updated at 16:56

In pictures: Sir Jimmy Savile

Sir Jimmy Savile in 2008 with his award for services as a Bevin Boy during World War II when he was conscripted to work in the coal mines as an alternative to active service.

Sir Jimmy Savile - TV and radio presenter, Jim'll Fix It host, and charity fundraiser - has died at his home in Leeds, aged 84.

Jimmy Savile was the first host of Top of the Pops in 1964, and helped front the programme for more than 20 years.

He was the first host of Top of the Pops in 1964, and helped front the programme for more than 20 years. Here he is seen during rehearsals for the first programme.

Even among his fellow medallion men Savile revelled in his eccentricity, hanging upside down, appearing in a banana costume and generally refusing to follow fashion.

And he appeared in the final Top of the Pops show in 2006, resplendent in a gold tracksuit.

Among his many achievements, Sir Jimmy was a member of Mensa. Here he wears a woollen hat with the organisation's name emblazoned across it.

Sir Jimmy lived with his mother until her death in 1973, and kept her possessions as she had left them, including drycleaning her clothes annually after her death. "There's no reason for death to spoil a good friendship," he explained.

He took his mother, who he called the Duchess, with him to Buckingham Palace to receive his OBE in 1972.

Jimmy Savile sitting in front of a Rolls Royce car.

Jimmy Savile was a millionaire and owned several luxury cars, but lived frugally, wore tracksuits, and bought his first bottle of alcohol on the day his pension came through.

He was an unofficial advisor to the Prince of Wales for a number of years, and is seen here sharing a joke with Charles at a reception at the Army Staff College, Sandhurst in 1999.

According to his autobiography, Savile started using twin turntables and a microphone, in 1947 during his dance hall era. He then moved to radio and TV.

His Jim'll Fix It show was screened for nearly two decades from 1974. From his magic chair he would grant viewers' wishes - although it was only a handful of the 20,000 requests received weekly.

UK

In pictures: Sir Jimmy Savile

Share this page

Services

About BBC News