Sick new twist in 28 Days Later sequel revealed after ZOMBIE Jimmy Saviles seen on set
WHEN STEVE COOGAN dressed as BBC paedophile JIMMY SAVILE for shocking drama The Reckoning, his victims told how it sent them into panic.
They will need to brace themselves once more as I can reveal DANNY BOYLE’s sequel to hit movies 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later has taken a sick twist — with actors dressed up as zombie versions of the twisted TV presenter.
Onlookers saw a crowd of “mini Jimmys” filming for the new flick in the north of England, clad in his infamous nylon tracksuits and wearing blond mullet wigs.
My exclusive pictures show a number of the cast in the disgraceful get-up, topped off with theatrical, zombie make-up.
One observer told me: “When we realised the hoard of zombies were dressed as Jimmy Savile we were shocked. It’s at best eyebrow-raising and at worst stomach-churning.
“A horrifying number of young people were subjected to terrible abuse by Jimmy in real life — those victims don’t need him turned into some sort of parody movie bad guy.
“Many told how hard it was to watch Coogan represent Savile, so I dread to think how this will land. It’s sick.”
The Reckoning, which aired last year, was a factual drama examining the crimes of the Jim’ll Fix It host, with testimony from survivors.
One, Sam Brown, was just 11 when she was abused at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and worked as an adviser on the series.
On seeing Coogan in costume for the first time, she said: “He began to walk up to us, and inside of my head I was screaming, ‘Just give me a minute’.
“I thought I was doing all of this in my head, not realising it was coming out of my mouth.”
Coogan then reportedly told her: “I’m not him . . . I’m acting.”
Boyle’s sequel, called 28 Years Later, will hit cinemas in 2025.
The original 28 Days Later — released in 2002 — starred Cillian Murphy as the leader of a group who survived when London was overtaken by zombie humans.
For Savile’s survivors, their truth was far sicker than this fiction.
Gavin gift wrapped up
As Nessa might say: ‘What’s occurin’?’ Well, the last Gavin and Stacey scenes have been filmed.
The BBC yesterday broke the news with a photo of the clapperboard and the caption: “And that’s a wrap, for the last time. See you on Christmas Day!”
The plot has been kept tightly under wraps but, it’s thought it will include scenes from the wedding of Smithy (James Corden) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) after the last Christmas special in 2019 ended on a cliffhanger following their proposal.
Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s feud hit the headlines earlier this year – and now a documentary will take a deep dive into their string of diss tracks. Public Enemies: Kendrick Vs Drake will also feature interviews with those closest to the two megastar rappers. It will air on Channel 4.
Stephen in office wind up
Stephen Merchant loves winding down by playing online chess.
And when he wins Stephen likes nothing more than winding up opponents – especially if they are fans of The Office.
The comedian told Russell Howard on his Wonderbox podcast: “It’s quite hard to switch my brain off from things, in terms of thinking about creative stuff or other responsibilities.
“But playing chess means I can’t think about anything else.
“I play it anonymously so people don’t know it’s me, and some of them will be quite abusive.
“The particularly delightful ones are where you can put a little avatar on your profile and I’ll get insulted by people who have an Office avatar, they might have a little David Brent, and they’ll insult me because they don’t know it’s me.
“For some reason I get giddy when that happens!”
Love Island’s Molly Marsh has landed a record deal and will release her first single this week.
She was spotted by producers when she sang on ITV’s Britain Gets Singing last Christmas.
A source said: “Molly is beyond excited, this has been a lifelong dream.”
Rafe is in for a thriller
Rafe Spall has joined the cast of new Sky thriller Under Salt Marsh.
He plays Detective Eric Bull who returns to the sleepy Welsh town of Morfa Haven when the body of an eight-year-old boy is discovered.
The copper is hoping an unsolved case, which he failed to crack many years ago, will provide clues to unlock the latest grisly murder.
It also stars Yellowstone’s Kelly Reilly, who plays Bull’s former partner Jackie, who is now a teacher at the local school.
Also in the cast are The Crown’s Jonathan Pryce, as well as Nightsleeper’s Naomi Yang and Industry star Harry Lawtey.
The series is expected to air on Sky and NOW next year.