Organisers of Ilkley’s Christmas lights display have yet to find a replacement for Sir Jimmy Savile, with less than two weeks to go until the big switch-on.

Sir Jimmy, who died aged 84 last month, had been booked to turn on the Ilkley lights for a third time on Saturday, November 19, in an event on The Grove.

The veteran DJ and broadcaster, who will be buried in Scarborough today, had said he was looking forward to the event and his death was described as the loss of a “friend of Ilkley”.

Councillor Brian Mann told Ilkley Parish Council the hunt for someone to fill Sir Jimmy’s shoes was continuing.

“It was a big blow to lose Sir Jimmy,” he said. “When we first approached him, he was quite excited about it.

“As yet, we do not have a replacement, but hopefully we will have something by the weekend.”

Chairman of the council, Coun Heathcliffe Bowen, said a formal letter of condolence would be sent to Sir Jimmy’s family.

“It was a great shock and those who knew him send their condolences to his family,” he said.

“We will formally send the council’s condolences to Sir Jimmy’s family in view of the fact this would have been the third time he switched on the Christmas lights.”

Coun Mann did have some better news about the Christmas lights switch-on event, which starts at 5pm.

“I did have a phone call from a very cold place and Father Christmas will be with us on the day,” he said.