Jimmy Savile declared his “love” for Margaret Thatcher in a hand-written letter after being invited to lunch with her, newly released records show.
But the star, then an OBE, claimed to have waited a week before writing to the Prime Minister to avoid appearing “too effusive”.
In what will now appear to be chilling references, Savile refers in the letter to the excitement of his “girl patients” and “paralyzed (sic) lads” at Stoke Mandeville Hospital following his lunch with Mrs Thatcher in 1980.
The letter is among a series of secret files released to the National Archives in Kew, west London and show the former Top Of The Pops presenter’s communications with the PM as he tried to enlist support for work to renovate Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
The DJ, awarded a knighthood in 1990 for charitable services, received widespread praise for his work with the hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
But it has since emerged to be one of a series of places where Savile preyed on vulnerable people, abusing them over decades.
An ITV documentary aired on October 4 prompted hundreds of people across the country to come forward about the abuse they say they suffered at Savile’s hands.
Before the revelations the late DJ was hailed by many as a hero for his seemingly tireless charitable work.
In his letter to Mrs Thatcher the star spoke of the reaction of his “girl patients” and “paralyzed lads” to his lunch date with her.
Hand-written on “Jim’s ‘Daily Dozen’ paper”, it bears the address Flat 84, 22 Park Crescent, W1.
It reads: “Dear Prime Minister. I waited a week before writing to thank you for my lunch invitation because I had such a superb time I didn’t want to be too effusive.
“My girl patients pretended to be madly jealous + wanted to know what you wore + what you ate.
“All the paralyzed lads called me ‘Sir James’ all week. They all love you. Me too!! Jimmy Savile OBE xxx.”
The documents reveal Savile’s regular communications with Mrs Thatcher and Number 10, including his request for a Government contribution to Stoke Mandeville.
In one, the prime minister is asked by one of her staff to confirm that she did not promise Savile she would appear on Jim’ll Fix It.
Mrs Thatcher added a simple “no”.
The file also reveals a discussion on Savile’s suggestions about tax deductions for charitable donations.
In February 1980, Number 10 private secretary Mike Pattison wrote to Martin Hall at the Treasury saying that while at Number 10 for an NSPCC presentation ceremony, Savile asked Mrs Thatcher about deductions. The PM suggested the seven-year covenant system could be a “disincentive” and that three years might be more reasonable, the letter said.
It emerged there were already plans to shorten the period to four years in the impending Finance Bill, and Mrs Thatcher informed Savile after the change was announced in the budget.