Jimmy Savile’s gravestone was removed in the middle of the night at the request of his family following a string of sex abuse allegations against the late children’s television presenter.
Savile’s family asked for the headstone to be taken down from Woodlands Cemetery in Scarborough “out of respect to public opinion” as police investigate more than 100 leads in the wake of new claims.
It comes after police said the former “Top of The Pops” and “Jim’ll Fix It” presenter, one of Britain’s biggest TV stars in the 1970s and 1980s, could have abused up to 25 victims.
Scotland Yard said officers have formally recorded eight allegations of abuse against Savile — two of rape and six of indecent assault — spanning four decades.
Savile was buried, at his own request, in a gold coffin in a grave facing the sea, with an epitaph bearing the words: “It was good while it lasted”.
Explaining the decision to remove the gravestone, a family spokesman said in a statement: “The family members are deeply aware of the impact that the stone remaining there could have on the dignity and sanctity of the cemetery.
“Out of respect to public opinion, to those who are buried there, and to those who tend their graves and visit there, we have decided to remove it.”
Scarborough Borough Council said the memorial headstone had been removed shortly after midnight.
In a statement the council said: “We have been advised by the funeral directors, Joseph A Hey and Son, acting on behalf of Jimmy Savile’s family, that the headstone at Woodlands Cemetery has been removed.”
Prime Minister David Cameron has called for the BBC and the police to investigate fully the claims against the eccentric DJ and long-time BBC presenter.
An ITV television documentary last week contained accounts from women who claimed they were sexually assaulted by Savile when they were children, in some cases on BBC premises.
Police say they are following 120 separate leads as part of the probe, dubbed Operation Yewtree, and will produce a joint report with children’s charity NSPCC.
Police said information already gathered suggested the alleged abuse was on a “national scale”, with most of the victims aged between 13 and 16.
The claims span some 40 years — the first dating back to 1959 — but most seem to be from the 1970s and 80s.
George Entwistle, the BBC’s new director general, has said the corporation would examine all “outstanding questions” once the police inquiries are completed.
Savile, renowned for his catchphrases, garish tracksuits, cigars and jangling jewellery, and knighted for his charitable work, died in October last year aged 84.
Jimmy Savile's gravestone removed 'out of respect'
