View source for Jim'll Fix It

{{short description|British television show}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Jim'll Fix It Titles.jpg
| caption              = 1986 series titles
| runtime              = 35 min.
| creator              = [[Bill Cotton]]<ref name="cottonobituary">{{cite web | url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-bill-cotton-television-executive-who-brought-some-of-the-bbc-s-most-popular-programmes-to-the-screen-892826.html | title= Sir Bill Cotton: Television executive who brought some of the BBC's most popular programmes to the screen | work=The Independent | first=Spencer | last=Leigh | date=13 August 2008 | access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref>
| starring             = {{plainlist|
*Jimmy Savile (1975–1994; 1995; 2007)
*[[Shane Richie]] (2011)}}
| location             = [[Television Centre, London|BBC Television Centre]]
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| network              = [[BBC One]]
| network2             = [[Gold (UK TV channel)|UKTV Gold]]
| num_series           = {{plainlist|
*20
*1 (revival)}}
| num_episodes         = 286
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1975|05|31|df=yes}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1994|07|24|df=yes}}
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|2007|4|5|df=yes}}
| last_aired2          = {{End date|2007|5|10|df=yes}}
}}
'''''Jim'll Fix It''''' is a British television series broadcast by the [[BBC]], presented by [[Jimmy Savile]] and running for almost two decades, between May 1975 and July 1994. Devised by [[Bill Cotton]], the show encouraged children to write a letter to Savile with a "wish" that would come true at the end of each episode, upon which the child would be granted a medal. Famous people who appeared on the show included [[Muhammad Ali]], ''[[Doctor Who]]'' stars [[Tom Baker]] and [[Colin Baker]], [[Rolf Harris]], [[Gary Glitter]], [[Margaret Thatcher]] and [[Peter Cushing]].

''Jim'll Fix It'' was briefly revived in 2007 as ''Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again'' and a television special aired in 2011 following Savile's death. A year after Savile's death, [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal|allegations of child sex abuse]] against him arose relating to the television series.

==Development==
The idea for a show based on viewers' requests came from the BBC's head of light entertainment, [[Bill Cotton]], and the idea was originally offered to [[Harry Secombe]], but he turned it down.<ref name="cottonobituary"/> The show was instead hosted by ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' presenter [[Jimmy Savile]], who would "fix it" for the wishes of several viewers (usually children) to come true each week. The producer throughout the show's run was Roger Ordish, who later recalled that he had advised Cotton to choose a different presenter from Savile, saying "That was nothing to do with Jimmy Savile's moral behaviour, it had to do with his ability to communicate with young people. He did openly say: 'I hate children.'"<ref name="elgot">{{cite web | url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/27/jimll-fix-it-staff-were-told-not-to-leave-savile-alone-with-children | title= Jim'll Fix It staff were told not to leave Savile alone with children | work=The Guardian | first=Jessica | last=Elgot | date=27 February 2016 | access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref>

==Format==
The standard format was that the viewer's letter, which described their wish, would be shown on the screen and read out aloud, initially by Savile, but in later series by the viewers themselves as a voice-over. Savile would then introduce the Fix, which would either have been pre-filmed on location or take place "live" in the studio. At the end, the viewer would join Savile to be congratulated and presented with a large medal with the words "Jim Fixed It For Me" engraved on it. Occasionally, other people featured in the "Fix It" (actors from well known series, for example), might also give the viewer an extra gift somehow relating to the Fix. Savile himself played no part in the filming or recording of the "fix-its", unless specifically requested as part of the letter writer's wish. Some children apparently thought that Savile's first name was "Jim'll", so some letters shown on the programme started "Dear Jim'll".

Early series saw Savile distributing medals from a "magic chair" which concealed the medals in a variety of compartments. The "magic chair" was invented by Tony Novissimo and was built for the BBC by him at his workshops in [[Shepherd's Bush]]. The chair had first appeared on Savile's earlier Saturday night TV series, ''Clunk, Click''. The chair was later replaced by a new computer-controlled robotic "magic chair", the brainchild of [[Kevin Warwick]], built for the BBC by his team at the [[University of Reading]]. The arm for the chair was an RTX robotic arm,<ref name=arm/> designed by Roy Levell at Universal Machine Intelligence in Wandsworth around 1985.<ref name=arm>{{cite web|title=Inside the UMI RTX Robot Arm|url=http://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/File:RTX_Inside.pdf|access-date=23 October 2012}}</ref>

Internally, the BBC were concerned that the show was providing excessive product placement for corporations.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

==Notable "Fix-its"==
Following Savile's death in 2011, the BBC cited famous examples of "fix-its" from the show, including the group of cub scouts who were sent to eat a packed lunch on a rollercoaster at the [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]], and the young viewer who played drums with [[Adam and the Ants]] for a performance of their track "[[Kings of the Wild Frontier (Adam and the Ants song)|Kings Of The Wild Frontier]]".<ref name="richie"/>

The [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Tom Baker]], appeared in the second episode, where he tore off and handed away the frayed ends of his scarf to girls visiting the studio. Ten years later, a young ''[[Doctor Who]]'' fan, Gareth Jenkins, took part in a short adventure titled ''[[A Fix with Sontarans]]'' with [[Colin Baker]] and [[Janet Fielding]].

In 1976 [[Muhammad Ali]] appeared in a fix.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} Also that year, [[Rolf Harris]], appeared on the show. Footage from this appearance was featured in the 2023 documentary ''Rolf Harris: Hiding In Plain Sight''.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/rolf-harris-hiding-in-plain-sight-itv-review-b1080702.html | title= Rolf Harris: Hiding in Plain Sight on ITV review – a chilling documentary about a national disgrace | work=The Evening Standard | first=Anthony | last=France | date=23 May 2023 | access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref>

On 1 January 1977, [[Margaret Thatcher]], then [[Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom)|Leader of the Opposition]], appeared in an episode when Savile introduced a group of children to her.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/103173 | title= TV Interview for BBC1 Jim'll Fix It | work=margaretthatcher.org | access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref> In 1981, Savile asked her to appear on the show again. Thatcher, who was by this time prime minister, declined his request on that occasion.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20797726 | title= Jimmy Savile sought Margaret Thatcher Stoke Mandeville help | work=BBC News | date=28 December 2012 | access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref>

Veteran actor [[Peter Cushing]] wrote to the show in 1986 to ask if a variety of rose could be named after his late wife; the 'Rose Helen Cushing' was the result.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1986/07/13/peter-cushing-the-horror-of-it-all/1da9957f-64c2-492b-9eb2-88fd028f4c44/ | title= Peter Cushing-The Horror of It All | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Desson | last=Howe | date=13 July 1986 | access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref> Also that year, a 14-year-old boy called Dom Lawson, who went on to work for ''[[Kerrang!]]'' and ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' magazines, got his wish to meet [[Iron Maiden]] and be their [[technician]] for a day. The episode was described in Iron Maiden's ''A Matter of Life and Death'' tour book, where Lawson speaks about Iron Maiden and his history with the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muzu.tv/gb/metalhammer/iron-maiden-jimll-fix-it-dom-lawson-music-video/1180555/ |title=Metal Hammer Iron Maiden – Jim'll Fix It – Dom Lawson Music Video on |publisher=Muzu.tv |access-date=23 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/nov/02/jim-fix-it-iron-maiden | title= Jim fixed it for Iron Maiden and me | work=The Guardian | first=Dom | last=Lawson | date=2 November 2011 | access-date=1 November 2012}}</ref>

Former glam rock singer [[Gary Glitter]] appeared on ''Jim’ll Fix It'' several times, including in 1991.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dangerousminds.net/comments/creep_out_gary_glitter_goes_on_jimll_fix_it | title=Creep Out: Gary Glitter goes on 'Jim'll Fix It' | date=2 October 2012 }}</ref>

==2007 revival (''Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again'')==
This new series saw the return of Savile and began on 5 April 2007 on [[Gold (UK TV channel)|UKTV Gold]], and was titled ''Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again''. The series showed classic moments from the original shows, and attempted to 're-fix' it for some of the original participants.

==2011 special==
The BBC announced on 14 November 2011, following Savile's death, that the show would return for a one-time [[Christmas special]] on 26 December 2011, featuring [[Shane Richie]] as the programme's host. Only letters for 'fix-its' from children under 14 were eligible for the revived format.<ref name="richie">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15724602 |title=Jim'll Fix It returns to BBC One for Christmas special |publisher=BBC News |date=15 November 2011 |access-date=23 March 2012}}</ref> [[Lewis Hamilton]] guest-starred in this episode, as well as [[Girls Aloud]] member [[Kimberley Walsh]] and opera singer [[Alfie Boe]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nicky Campbell donates fee for Jimmy Savile tribute show to charity |date=2012-12-06 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715022122/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/dec/06/nicky-campbell-donates-fee-jimmy-savile-tribute |archive-date=2023-07-15 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/dec/06/nicky-campbell-donates-fee-jimmy-savile-tribute}}</ref>

==Theme song==
The [[theme song]] was sung by voice-over artist Lynda Hayes.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00z0dsj Chris Evans Breakfast Show], [[BBC Radio 2]], broadcast 9 March 2011</ref> The closing theme was sung by the group ''Good Looks'' (featuring Lavinia & Lewis Rodgers, siblings of [[Clodagh Rodgers]]) who competed in the 1982 ''[[List of contestants from the UK national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest|A Song for Europe]]'' competition. Savile "fixed it" for a young viewer to perform the song with the group on an edition of the show.

==Sexual abuse scandal==
{{main|Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal}}
Allegations surfaced in 2012 that Savile sexually abused some of the children who took part in ''Jim'll Fix It'',<ref>{{cite news|first=Jennifer|last=O'Mahoney|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/jimmy-savile/9603743/Jimmy-Savile-BBC-did-nothing-when-director-caught-him-in-the-act.html|title=Jimmy Savile: BBC did nothing when director caught him in the act|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London, England|date=12 October 2012|access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20066529|title=Jimmy Savile scandal: Alleged victims' stories|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|location=London, England|date=24 October 2012|access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> including suggestions that special episodes of ''Jim'll Fix It'' were devised by Savile in order to gain access to victims.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marsden |first=Sam |title=Jimmy Savile 'Engineered' His TV Shows to Abuse children|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/jimmy-savile/9673177/Jimmy-Savile-engineered-his-TV-shows-to-abuse-children.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=13 November 2012|access-date=23 February 2014}}</ref> Ordish said, "I didn't see anything and nothing was reported to me", but added that he knew Savile had a "predilection for younger females".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2012-10-16/savile-producer-i-knew-nothing/|title=Savile producer: "I knew nothing"|work=ITV News|publisher=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]|location=London England|date=17 October 2012|access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> Reflecting on his own time producing the show, Ordish added, "It's of no significance really compared to the terrible things that happened to the victims, but in retirement, people say: 'What did you do?'. I'd say: 'I was a BBC producer … ''Jim'll Fix It'', I did that for 20 years', and you used to get a wonderful reaction. Now it's something I can’t mention, you’re ashamed of it."<ref name="elgot"/>

==Transmission guide==
===Series===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! Series !! No. of editions || Aired
|-
| 1 || 12 || 31 May 1975 – 16 August 1975
|-
| 2 || 7 || 21 February 1976 – 10 April 1976
|-
| 3 || 8 || 1 January 1977 – 19 February 1977
|-
| 4 || 11 || 7 January 1978 – 18 March 1978
|-
| 5 || 12 || 30 December 1978 – 17 March 1979
|-
| 6 || 12 || 29 December 1979 – 15 March 1980
|-
| 7 || 13 || 26 December 1980 – 28 March 1981
|-
| 8 || 13 || 2 January 1982 – 27 March 1982
|-
| 9 || 14 || 25 December 1982 – 26 March 1983
|-
| 10 || 14 || 25 December 1983 – 24 March 1984
|-
| 11 || 13 || 29 December 1984 – 23 March 1985
|-
| 12 || 13 || 11 January 1986 – 5 April 1986
|-
| 13 || 13 || 3 January 1987 – 28 March 1987
|-
| 14 || 13 || 2 January 1988 – 26 March 1988
|-
| 15 || 13 || 7 January 1989 – 1 April 1989
|-
| 16 || 13 || 6 January 1990 – 31 March 1990
|-
| 17 || 13 || 19 January 1991 – 13 April 1991
|-
| 18 || 13 || 4 April 1992 – 4 July 1992
|-
| 19 || 13 || 10 April 1993 – 17 July 1993
|-
| 20 || 13 || 2 April 1994 – 24 July 1994
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! {{center|Series}} !! {{center|No. of editions}} || {{center|Aired}}
|-
|Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again || 6 || 5 April 2007 – 10 May 2007
|}

===Specials===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! Title !! Date
|-
|Christmas Special || 24 December 1975
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 29 May 1976
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 28 August 1976
|-
|Christmas Special || 24 December 1976
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 4 June 1977
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 29 August 1977
|-
|Christmas Special || 26 December 1977
|-
|New Year Special || 31 December 1977
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 27 May 1978
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 28 August 1978
|-
|Christmas Special || 26 December 1978
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 28 May 1979
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 27 August 1979
|-
|Christmas Special || 26 December 1979
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 26 May 1980
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 25 August 1980
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 25 May 1981
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 31 August 1981
|-
|Christmas Special || 25 December 1981
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 31 May 1982
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 30 August 1982
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 30 May 1983
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 29 August 1983
|-
|Christmas Special || 24 December 1984
|-
|10th Birthday Special || 27 May 1985
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 26 August 1985
|-
|Christmas Special || 24 December 1985
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 25 August 1986
|-
|Christmas Special || 24 December 1986
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 25 May 1987
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 30 August 1987
|-
|Christmas Special || 24 December 1987
|-
|Bank Holiday Special || 28 May 1988
|-
|Christmas Special || 26 December 1988
|-
|Christmas Special || 26 December 1989
|-
|Sir Jim'll Fix It Special || 8 July 1990
|-
|Christmas Special || 26 December 1990
|-
|Christmas Special || 28 December 1991
|-
|Christmas Special || 28 December 1992
|-
|Christmas Special || 27 December 1993
|-
|20 Years of Jim'll Fix It Special || 2 January 1995
|-
|Jim'll Fix It with Shane Richie || 26 December 2011
|}

===Compilations===
*Series 2 Compilation: 17 April 1976
*Series 3 Compilation: 26 February 1977
*Series 4 Compilation: 25 March 1978
*Series 5 Compilation: 24 March 1979
*Series 6 Compilation: 22 March 1980
*Children in Need Compilation: 23 November 1984
*Series 13 Compilation: 27 August 1988
*Series 14 Compilation: 28 August 1989
*Series 15 Compilation: 25 August 1990
*Series 16 Compilation: 24 August 1991
*Series 17 Compilation: 29 August 1992
*Series 18 Compilation: 5 September 1993

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:1975 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1994 British television series endings]]
[[Category:BBC children's television shows]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Jimmy Savile]]