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Controversial new BBC series The Reckoning has recreated the moment Jimmy Savile greeted the Prince and Princess of Wales at the 1983 opening of the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. 

Steve Coogan, who is playing the role of the disgraced DJ in the upcoming drama, looked his spitting image as he was pictured kissing Princess Diana's hand in one poignant scene.   

Due to Savile's status as a celebrity fundraiser, the presenter held the opening - with it later emerging he sexually abused 60 people, including seriously ill eight-year-olds, over two decades at the hospital.  

Throwback: Controversial new BBC series The Reckoning has recreated the moment Jimmy Savile greeted the Prince and Princess of Wales at the 1983 opening of the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Terrible: Due to Savile's status as a celebrity fundraiser, the presenter was invited to the opening - with it later emerging he sexually abused 60 people, including seriously ill eight-year-olds, over two decades at the hospital

The royals' visit came two years into their marriage- and according to an NHS investigation the late BBC star had at least 10 complaints against him going as far back to 1972, but none were taken seriously. 

The National Spinal Injuries Centre was built as the result of an appeal initiated and inspired by the TV personality. 

The damning report detailed Savile's decades of abuse across the NHS and how management turned a blind eye because of his fame and the amount of cash he raised for charity. 

Victims included a young girl raped 10 times when she visited the hospital where her parents worked. The investigation found that none of the complaints were 'either taken seriously or escalated to senior management'.

He went onto abuse a total of 177 patients, aged between five and 75, across 41 hospitals. Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire was where his abuse was most prolific. 

Transformed: In the scenes filmed last week, Coogan sported an uncanny resemblance to the DJ with his hair bleached white and a grey suit and red tie which was identical to the one he wore for the 1983 visit

Similar: The costume department recreated Princess Diana's iconic wardrobe with the actress, whose name is yet to be announced,  sporting a pale blue silk dress and ribbon trim hat

Creepy: Steve Coogan, who is playing the role of the disgraced DJ in the upcoming drama, looked his spitting image as he was pictured kissing Princess Diana's hand in one poignant scene

Charity work: The National Spinal Injuries Centre was built as the result of an appeal initiated and inspired by the TV personality, with Prince Charles arriving for the opening (pictured left, the actor, whose name is yet to be announced, right in 1983) 

In the scenes filmed last week, Coogan sported an uncanny resemblance to the DJ with his hair bleached white and a grey suit and red tie which was identical to the one he wore for the 1983 visit. 

The costume department recreated Princess Diana's iconic wardrobe with the actress, whose name is yet to be announced, sporting a pale blue silk dress and ribbon trim hat. 

The new drama, which will be broadcasted by the BBC, will trace the disgraced former star's upbringing, his early career and prolific child sex offences.   

Shocking: The royals' visit came two years into their marriage- and according to an NHS investigation the late BBC star had at least 10 complaints against him going as far back to 1972, but none were taken seriously

Disgraced DJ: The damning NHS report detailed Savile's decades of abuse across the NHS and how management turned a blind eye because of his fame and the amount of cash he raised for charity

Awful: Victims included a young girl raped 10 times when she visited the hospital where her parents worked. The investigation found that none of the complaints were 'either taken seriously or escalated to senior management'

Harrowing: The new drama, which will be broadcasted by the BBC , will trace the disgraced former star's upbringing, his early career and prolific child sex offences

Recreating 1983 visit: The actress bore a striking resemblance to the late Princess Of Wales in the pale blue midi dress and white court shoes

BBC drama: As the cameras rolled, Steve got into character as he chatted to Princess Diana

The decision to chronicle Savile's life has come under fire from many, however BBC has stated that they worked with his victims and will portray a story 'with sensitivity and respect'. 

Steve, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one 'I took lightly'.

He added: 'Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which, however harrowing, needs to be told.' 

Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television's biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011.

TV star: Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television's biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011

New drama: In his final years, he fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career with the BBC - with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama

Sexual predator: A BBC-led inquiry into his actions found he had molested at least 72 children, some as young as eight, over a four decade campaign of sexual abuse with his first victim in 1959 and his last in 2006

In his final years, he fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career with the BBC - with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama. 

 A BBC-led inquiry into his actions found he had molested at least 72 children, some as young as eight, over a four decade campaign of sexual abuse with his first victim in 1959 and his last in 2006. 

His horrific reign of abuse could be charted 'in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises', their 2016 report found.

Horrific: His reign of abuse could be charted 'in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises', their 2016 report found

Executive producer, Jeff Pope, said: 'I think this is a story that has to be told. We must understand why a man like Jimmy Savile seemed to remain immune for so long to proper scrutiny and criminal investigation. 

'Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity.'

The BBC also says it will draw on 'extensive and wide-ranging research sources' or the project, examining the lasting impact of Savile's crimes and the 'powerlessness' his victims felt. 

Paedophile: He went onto abuse a total of 177 patients, aged between five and 75, across 41 hospitals. Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire was where his abuse was most prolific

Controversial: The decision to chronicle Savile's life has come under fire from many, however BBC has stated that they worked with his victims and will portray a story 'with sensitivity and respect'

Jovial: Coogan put on an animated display as he threw his hands wide to greet the royals 

In character: Steve was pictured chatting to spectators in character as filming got under way 

Action! A number of cast members were on hand to help recreate the scenes with one woman waving a flag 

Hidden in plain sight: Savile was a much loved public figure in life, but he would be exposed as a serial sexual predator following his death in 2011. Here he is pictured at the Wren House International Telephone Exchange in 1975

Piers Wenger Controller, of BBC Drama, added: 'The story of Jimmy Savile is one of the most emotive and troubling of our times. We do not intend to sensationalise these crimes but to give voice to his victims. 

'We will work with survivors to ensure their stories are told with sensitivity and respect and to examine the institutions which Jimmy Savile was associated with and the circumstances in which these crimes took place.

'Drama has the ability to tackle sensitive real life subjects and consider the impact of a crime on its survivors and what lessons can be learnt to stop this ever happening again.'

A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months.  

In the works: A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months