The BBC has apologised for mistakenly airing footage of Jimmy Savile in a repeat of Top of the Pops 2.

The footage, which appeared in the BBC2 music archive programme on 13 September, showed deceased BBC presenter Jimmy Savile talking to a woman before appearing to touch her inappropriately.

The BBC admitted that it had “missed” the clip when it reviewed the show before transmission and apologised for “any distress caused”.

A spokesman said: “‘We have reviewed references to Jimmy Savile across archive footage, including a number which were brought to our attention. Where the material is likely to cause offence to his victims it is removed.

“Although all programmes are reviewed before broadcast, unfortunately this brief appearance was missed. It was removed from iPlayer as soon as we were made aware and replaced with a re-edited version. We apologise for any distress caused.”

The gaffe comes as Dame Janet Smith’s review into the culture and practices at the BBC during Savile’s era is nearing completion. It is expected to publish before the end of the year.

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