Operation Yewtree is credited for sparking a rise in reports of sexual assault and putting some big names behind bars.

But, new documentary The Accused: National Treasures On Trial is set to talk to three high-profile names who were connected to the investigation and subsequently never convicted of any wrongdoing, to discuss the effect it had on their lives.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What can we expect from The Accused: National Treasures On Trial

The show features three figures accused by Operation Yewtree or one of the subsequent investigations it spawned, three men who were accused but either never arrested, charged or convicted: Sir Cliff Richard, radio DJ Paul Gambaccini and former Pop Idol judge and DJ Neil Fox.

Channel 4 says: “Led by their personal stories and experiences of being investigated, while in the full glare of the national media, including video diaries recorded with Paul Gambaccini and Neil Fox at the time, the documentary explores the immediate and longer-lasting impact the process had on them, their families, careers and reputations, as well as examining the wider legacy of Yewtree through their eyes.

“The documentary also hears from some of those close to the police investigation, along with journalists who were involved in the national conversation surrounding Yewtree.”

What was Operation Yewtree?

Operation Yewtree was a British police investigation into sexual abuse allegations made against British media personalities.

The investigation started in 2012 when the revelations about Jimmy Savile came to light, but also looked at other personalities. It was led by the Metropolitan Police in collaboration with the NSPCC.

The operation was split into three threads, crimes involving Savile, those involving Savile and others, and those just involving others.

The investigation into Jimmy Savile, who was dead by this time, ended in December 2012 and a report was released in January 2013 detailed his heinous crimes, but Operation Yewtree continued.

By October 2015, 19 had been arrested by Operation Yewtree with seven of these arrests leading to convictions.

Yewtree was also connected to other investigations, in both the public’s imagination and through the sharing of information.

The team passed files to South Yorkshire Police in the investigation of Cliff Richard, and also to North Yorkshire Police, who were looking into claims against Jimmy Tarbuck. Neither case was taken to court.

Commander Peter Spindler said at the time that: “We are dealing with a major criminal investigation. This is a watershed moment for child abuse investigations and Yewtree will be a landmark investigation.

Weatherman Fred Talbot and DJ Ray Teret were jailed for their crimes. Rolf Harris was convicted of the assault of four underage girls, and Max Clifford was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault on four girls and women aged between 15 and 19.

Coronation Street actors William Roache and Michael Le Vell were found not guilty, and DJ Neil Fox was also acquitted.

Paul Gambaccini was arrested and bailed several times over the course of a year, but was told he would face no further charges.

How can I watch?

The Accused: National Treasures on Trial is on at 9pm on Channel 4 on Wednesday 24 August.

It will also be available on All 4.