A huge Jim’ll Fix It badge awarded to a Welsh town is set to be destroyed.
The badge was presented to the town of Holyhead by paedophile broadcaster Jimmy Savile in 1990 to provide some cheer after a flu bug ruined the Christmas season in 1990.
Resident Jeff Evans, now a councillor, contacted the show and Savile – then a huge star – dispatched Hi Di Hi! actress Ruth Madoc and boxer Frank Bruno to the town an recreated Christmas for the day, with thousands of people turning out to take part in what culminated in the laptop-sized badge being awarded.
But since Savile was exposed as one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders following his death the badge has spent a long time in storage, the Daily Post reported , with ongoing discussions about what to do with the gift
Savile died in October 2011 aged 84
Mayor Ann Kennedy, who at the time of filming was the general manager of the Holyhead Opportinities Trust, said it was likely the badge will be destroyed due to its “negative connotations” with the shamed celebrity.
She said: “The badge is being kept in storage and there’s been some thought as to what to do with it. It’s a difficult decision in many ways as it was such a lovely day and it’s not often that you can showcase your town to many millions of viewers. We still have the memories of course but when you consider the severity of Jimmy Savile’s crimes it’s not something we want to be associated with Holyhead. It seems the right thing to do.”
After the parade there was a dinner for 500 people on Newry Beach.
“It might have all started as a bit of a joke – ‘create Christmas for all the people who were ill last year’ – but it finished up as a massive fun weekend, with hundreds of people joining in and thoroughly enjoying the true spirit of the festivities.”
READ MORE Jimmy Savile review finds BBC staff missed ‘numerous’ opportunities to stop him
Cilla Black in Holyhead
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