When someone punched Jimmy Savile Punch And Judy performer Gareth Ellis in the street a few days before the show opened at Edinburgh Festival it made national news.

The tabloids reported vigilantes disgusted by the “sick” comedian attacked him after reviewers had revealed his identity, despite Ellis and his comedy partner Rich Rose having determined to remain anonymous.

But the attack was a set-up. The duo duped the media – and in the process bagged themselves a Malcolm Hardee Pound Of Flesh Award for their publicity stunt. They roped in comedy writer John Fleming to do the reveal on his blog and soon had an Edinburgh hit on their hands.

“Loads of tabloids picked up on it. They were going, ‘Oh it’s disgusting making comedy about Jimmy Savile,’ but no one had seen it or read it.

“That stunt was the prophecy of what the show would be. They got their comeuppance in that it was a storm in a teacup.”

The duo obviously love the limelight, though. Why else would they agree to take on writer Nick Awde’s idea?

“We didn’t think it would make as big a splash as it has done. We bumbled in without thinking of the consequences but we are pleased with how it has wound up – even if infamous is the word.”

And, of course, no performers ever shun publicity. You might have read Brighton and Hove Councillor Peter West voicing his concern in The Argus earlier in the week (January 28).

Ellis suggests Coun West comes to see it.

“We would like to reassure Peter West that we are not venerating the memory of this vile man, we are in fact doing the opposite.

“What he did should not be brushed under the carpet, as it was when he was alive. One victim of his did contact us after seeing the show in Edinburgh, and told us they were glad this show exists.

“Although I would not recommend that victims of abuse come and see the show.”

Ellis admits tabloid attention was welcome.

“It was great for us. I don’t think anyone who disagreed with us about doing the show came to see it but if they did I think we did succeed in winning over a few people who were reticent.”

So what is the point of the show, whose only link from Jimmy Savile to Punch is that he seems to get away with the terrible things he does?

“The show is about the people and institutions complicit in the whole Savile scandal.”

In addition, Margaret Thatcher, who supported Savile’s knighthood, and Louis Theroux, who made a documentary about the entertainer, also feature in the show.

“Nick Awde said, ‘I like what you do with the double act. It’s a bit chaotic, I’d like that spirit to be part of Jimmy Savile: The Punch And Judy Show.’ “He gave us the script and invited us to do it, and then said, ‘It’s your own thing, do what you want,’ so we have.

“The first few days were shoddy, so we threw the script out of the window because it was a lot to learn at that time when we were doing another show in Edinburgh.

“We just got the essence and took the structure of it.

“Now you have a piece of strange theatre with two guys arguing and everything goes wrong.”

And what do the pair say to the victims of child abuse who think this is distasteful?

“If anyone has an issue relating to what Jimmy Savile did, don’t come – that’s common sense.

“It’s not going to help anyone. It is awful and terrible and we are not condoning it in any way.”

  • Jimmy Savile: The Punch And Judy Show, Caroline of Brunswick, Ditchling Road, Brighton, Thursday, February 6
  • Starts 8pm, free. Call 01273 624434 for details.