Forecast

The cloud of Savile will hang unexpunged over the BBC for another six months - because of the trial of Stuart Hall on charges involving alleged rape of two girls under 16. The trial date is set for May 6, with a case management hearing at the end of February - and the prosecution feel if Dame Janet Smith's review (which includes Dame Linda Dobbs reporting on issues arising from Hall's activities at the BBC) is published before then, there could be issues of prejudice. Hall, 83, is currently in jail serving 30 months after pleading guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault.

Meanwhile, on the general timetable of Dame Janet's work, this weekend tweet from copper-turned-tv-presenter Mark Williams-Thomas, suggests there's major elements still to complete.

So much more to come out about #Savile about his child sex offending & what was know. I have yet to speak to BBC Dame Janet Smith review
— Mark Williams-Thomas (@mwilliamsthomas) January 18, 2014