The BBC apologised after airing a repeat of childrens’ television programme The Tweenies in which a character dressed as disgraced presenter Jimmy Savile hosts a Top of the Pops-style show.
The episode, filmed in 2001, was shown shortly before 9.00am on children’s channel CBeebies.
In the programme, one of the characters dresses up in a white wig and tracksuit and adopts Savile’s distinctive speaking style while presenting a pop music programme.
A BBC spokesman said: “This morning CBeebies broadcast a repeat of an episode of The Tweenies, originally made in 2001, featuring a character dressed as a DJ impersonating Jimmy Savile.
“This programme will not be repeated and we are very sorry for any offence caused.”
A police report recently branded Savile, who died in 2011 aged 84, as one of the country’s worst ever sex offenders who abused more than 200 victims over 60 years.