When did Jimmy Savile die and what was his cause of death?

The series will follow Savile, played by British actor Steve Coogan, and his rise to becoming one of the biggest stars in television as well as his years of sexual abuse and the impact he had on his victims.

Coogan has defended the four-episode production and has reflected on what he hopes people take away from the series. 

The 57-year-old actor said: “The point that I hope people will take away is that they learn to listen to victims and survivors, and learn to take these things seriously.

Coogan has defended the four-episode production and has reflected on what he hopes people take away from the series.  ( PA) (Image: PA)

“If you treat people with respect and we act together then you can avoid something like this from happening in the future.”

Who was Jimmy Savile?

One of the biggest names on British TV from the 1960s to the 1990s, Jimmy Savile fronted popular programmes like Top Of The Pops and Jim'll Fix It.

The British DJ from Leeds was well-known for his eccentric image and charity work during his lifetime.

Savile's crimes were only exposed and fully investigated following his death but allegations were made when he was alive with Savile taking legal action against some accusers.

Following his death, hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse made against him were investigated.

A year after his death, an ITV documentary investigated claims of sexual abuse against him which lead to further allegations of abuse and a number of public inquiries.

One of these was Operation Yewtree - an investigation into historical acts of sex abuse - which led to the uncovering of historic sexual offences by Rolf Harris. 

After conducting their investigation, Police concluded that he had been a predatory sex offender.

It is believed that Savile had approximately 500 victims who were as young as two years old over his lifetime.

The Reckoning airs from October 9 and can be streamed on BBCiPlayer. (BBC/ITV Studios/Matt Squire) (Image: BBC/ITV Studios/Matt Squire)

What age was Jimmy Savile when he died?

Savile died on October 29, 2011 at the age of 84 in Roundhay, Leeds.

He is buried at Woodlands Cemetery in Scarborough reportedly at a 45-degree angle, so that he could 'have a view of the sea'.

His cause of death is recorded as pneumonia with his nephew Roger Foster confirming the news at the time that Savile had "passed away quietly in his sleep during the night".

When will BBC's The Reckoning be on TV?

The first episode of The Reckoning airs at 9pm on BBC One on Monday, October 9.

There will be four episodes in total, with the second airing at 9pm on Tuesday, October 10.

The third and fourth episodes are likely to air on the following Monday and Tuesday.

All four episodes of The Reckoning will be available on BBC iPlayer from October 9.