Jimmy Savile investigation: Broadcaster pulls New Tricks episode on under-age sex ring

By MARTYN McLAUGHLIN
Published on 23/10/2012 01:16

THE BBC pulled a crime drama about an under-age sex ring in a care home from its schedules last night in light of the continuing allegations of abuse surrounding the late presenter Jimmy Savile.

The episode of New Tricks was due to be screened at 9pm on BBC1, but the corporation decided to suspend its airing following another day of damaging revelations about the way the scandal has been handled.

Explaining the decision, a BBC spokeswoman said: “In light of current news events, this week’s billed episode of New Tricks will be replaced by next week’s episode.”

The programme, which stars Alun Armstrong and Dennis Waterman as police officers brought out of retirement to investigate unsolved crimes, was about a child abuse scandal spanning two decades. A new date for transmission has not been agreed.

It is not the first time this year that the BBC has been forced to drop a planned drama programme because it was seen to reflect current events and could be perceived as being insensitive.
Last month, it postponed the final episode of Good Cop after the deaths of Pcs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes. The drama, starring former Hollyoaks and Luther actor Warren Brown, featured a violent attack on a
female police officer.