That's quite true, of course, but to take that argument to it's logical conclusion we'd never speak ill of anyone after their death.

I think Jimmy Saville is only part of the issue. He may or may not have been an abuser or he may have just been eccentric and an extrovert. There's good and bad in most people and whichever aspect prevails at any time depends on a number of factors - not least of which is the likelihood (or not) of being brought to account for your actions. Clearly a lot of people feel very well-disposed to him on account of his charity work.

I think a great many areas of the arts and entertainment are largely populated by people who feel they live by a different set of standards to the 'little' people beyond their own world. I think the theatre, for instance, is very like that and I suspect that cinema and TV are the same.

I just wonder if we're in a period now when people who thought in the 60s and 70s that there were no consequences to their actions (particularly where young women are involved) are going to find that they were mistaken. And it would be preferable, obviously, that people who are still alive were able to defend themselves - if they can.