Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher made repeated attempts to get Jimmy Savile knighted – despite pleas from her concerned aides – it was reported today.

The BBC could face a full public inquiry into the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal if the corporation’s investigations fail to “get to the bottom” of the accusations, Britain's Culture Secretary Maria Miller has warned.

Film-maker Louis Theroux, who tried to unravel Jimmy Savile’s private life on-screen, said today his thoughts were “with the victims” following claims the Jim’ll Fix It star had sexually abused schoolgirls.