Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops

The biggest stars, the most iconic performances, the most outrageous outfits – it’s Britain’s number one pop show.

Genre: Reality

Director: Johnnie Stewart

Cast:Tony BlackburnPeter PowellMike ReadGary DaviesMark GoodierSteve WrightSimon BatesSimon MayoJanice Long


1Season 17

Season 17, Episode 1

January 3, 1980

Peter Powell presents chart hits of the week. Guests include Billy Preston & Syreeta, Kurtis Blow, Madness, the Pretenders, Dr Hook, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd and David Bowie. Also featuring a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

2Season 17

Season 17, Episode 2

January 10, 1980

David 'Kid' Jensen presents chart hits of the week, with performances by the Nolan Sisters, UFO, the Skids, Joe Jackson, Dollar, ABBA, Sheila B and Pink Floyd, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

3Season 17

Season 17, Episode 3

January 17, 1980

Simon Bates presents chart hits of the week, with performances by Billy Preston & Syreeta, New Musik, Sad Cafe, Sister Sledge, Positive Force, Dexy's Midnight Runners and the Pretenders, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

4Season 17

Season 17, Episode 4

January 24, 1980

Mike Read presents chart hits of the week, with performances by Buggles, the Nolans, Barbara Dickson, Matchbox, the Regents, the Pretenders, the Specials, Sheila B Devotion and the Boomtown Rats, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

5Season 17

Season 17, Episode 5

January 31, 1980

David 'Kid' Jensen presents chart hits of the week, with performances from the Revillos, Kenny Rogers, Azymuth, John Foxx, Madness, Rupert Holmes, the Ramones, Jon & Vangelis, Billy Ocean and the Specials, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

6Season 17

Season 17, Episode 6

February 7, 1980

Steve Wright presents chart hits of the week, with performances from the Tourists, Cliff Richard, the Chords, the Regents, Queen, the Selecter, AC/DC, the Buggles and the Specials, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

7Season 17

Season 17, Episode 7

February 15, 1980

Simon Bates presents chart hits of the week, with performances from Matchbox, Keith Michell, the Flying Lizards, Elvis Costello, Michael Jackson, Dave Edmunds, Jon & Vangelis, Marti Webb and Kenny Rogers, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

8Season 17

Season 17, Episode 8

February 22, 1980

Peter Powell presents hits of the week. Guests include Shakin' Stevens, Blondie, the Beat, the Buggles, the Tourists, Fern Kinney, Cliff Richard, the Ramones, Iron Maiden and Kenny Rogers. Also includes a dance Sequence by Legs & Co.

9Season 17

Season 17, Episode 9

February 28, 1980

David 'Kid' Jensen presents pop hits of the week, with performances from Elvis Costello, Marti Webb, the Vapors, Liquid Gold, the Gibson Brothers, Stiff Little Fingers, Dave Edmunds, the Police, the Shadows and Blondie, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

10Season 17

Season 17, Episode 10

March 6, 1980

We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.

11Season 17

Season 17, Episode 11

March 13, 1980

Steve Wright presents pop hits of the week, with performances from the Dooleys, the Police, the Detroit Spinners, Secret Affair, the Vapors, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Gibson Brothers, Peter Gabriel, Genesis and Fern Kinney, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

12Season 17

Season 17, Episode 12

March 20, 1980

Mike Read presents pop hits of the week, with performances from the Bodysnatchers, Squeeze, Sad Cafe, the Lambrettas, Barbara Dickson, Shakin' Stevens, Martha and the Muffins, UB40, and the Jam, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

13Season 17

Season 17, Episode 13

March 27, 1980

Peter Powell presents chart hits of the week, with performances from Liquid Gold, Genesis, Brothers Johnson, Dr Hook, Judas Priest, Siouxsie & the Banshees, John Foxx, the Detroit Spinners and the Jam, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

14Season 17

Season 17, Episode 14

April 3, 1980

David 'Kid' Jensen presents chart hits of the week, with performances from Madness, Barbara Dickson, Dexy's Midnight Runners, the Pretenders, BA Robertson, the Lambrettas, Prima Donna and the Jam, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

15Season 17

Season 17, Episode 15

April 10, 1980

Simon Bates presents chart hits of the week, with performances from the Undertones, Sky, David Essex, Dr Hook, Saxon, Judas Priest, the Bodysnatchers, the Buggles and the Detroit Spinners, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

16Season 17

Season 17, Episode 16

April 17, 1980

We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.

17Season 17

Season 17, Episode 17

April 24, 1980

Steve Wright presents chart hits of the week, with performances from Smokie, Paul McCartney, the Cure, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Sky, Sad Cafe, Cockney Rejects, Bad Manners, David Essex, the Undertones, Johnny Logan, Blondie, and a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

18Season 17

Season 17, Episode 18

May 1, 1980

Tommy Vance presents chart hits of the week, with performances from New Musik, Narada Michael Walden, the Chords, Whitesnake, Jimmy Ruffin, Saxon, the Beat, Kate Bush, Dexys Midnight Runners and Johnny Logan.

19Season 17

Season 17, Episode 19

May 8, 1980

Peter Powell presents chart hits of the week, with performances from the Human League, Prelude, Michael Jackson, Matchbox, Jona Lewie, the Ruts, OMD and Dexys Midnight Runners, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

20Season 17

Season 17, Episode 20

May 15, 1980

We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.

21Season 17

Season 17, Episode 21

May 22, 1980

Mike Read presents chart hits of the week, with performances from the Lambrettas, UK Subs, Michael Jackson, Jona Lewie, Karel Fialka, the Specials, Matchbox and Johnny Logan, and a dance routine from Legs & Co.

22Season 17

Season 17, Episode 22

May 29, 1980

David 'Kid' Jensen presents chart hits of the week. Guests include Liquid Gold, Hot Chocolate, Elton John, Don McLean, Thin Lizzy, Roxy Music, OMD, Jermaine Jackson, Stiff Little Fingers, Mystic Merlin and Lena Zavaroni. Includes a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

23Season 17

Season 17, Episode 23

July 9, 1980

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including tracks from Odyssey, Thin Lizzy, Kate Bush, and Splodgenessabounds. Introduced by Peter Powell & B.A. Robertson.

24Season 17

Season 17, Episode 24

August 7, 1980

Peter Powell and guest presenter Elton John present chart hits of the week, with performances from the Piranhas, Diana Ross, Hot Chocolate, Kelly Marie, the Gap Band, the Gibson Brothers, Bad Manners, Abba, Odyssey, Olivia Newton John and Don McLean, and a dance routine from Legs & Co.

25Season 17

Season 17, Episode 25

August 14, 1980

Tommy Vance presents the hits of the week from August 1980. Guests include Ultravox, David Bowie, ELO, Mike Berry, Grace Jones, Village People, Sue Wilkinson and ABBA, plus a dance routine from Legs & Co.

26Season 17

Season 17, Episode 26

August 21, 1980

Steve Wright presents chart hits of the week from August 1980. Guests include ELO, Sheena Easton, Hazel O'Connor, Kelly Marie, Cliff Richard, the Jam, Billy Joel, David Bowie, plus a dance routine from Legs & Co.

27Season 17

Season 17, Episode 27

August 28, 1980

Peter Powell presents chart hits of the week. Guests include the Barracudas, Gary Numan, the Selecter, Mike Berry, the Skids, Elton John, Sue Wilkinson, Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Village People, Judas Priest and David Bowie, plus a dance routine from Legs & Co.

28Season 17

Season 17, Episode 28

September 4, 1980

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Kelly Marie, Hazel O'connor, Cliff Richard, and The Beat. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis & Kevin Keegan.

29Season 17

Season 17, Episode 29

September 11, 1980

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Black Sabbath, Elvis Presley, Judas Priest, and Split Enz. Introduced by Jimmy Savile & Richard Skinner.

30Season 17

Season 17, Episode 30

September 18, 1980

Simon Bates presents the weekly chart show with guests, including Olivia Newton-John. Featuring performances by Randy Crawford, XTC, Stevie Wonder, Nick Straker Band, Billy Joel, Kelly Marie and Madness.

31Season 17

Season 17, Episode 31

September 25, 1980

Mike Read presents hits of the week. Guests include Split Enz, Diana Ross, Ottawan, Shalamar, Linx and the Police. Also features special guests Russ Abbot and Leo Sayer, as well as a dance sequence by Legs and Co and the weekly chart rundown.

32Season 17

Season 17, Episode 32

October 2, 1980

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Stevie Wonder, Thin Lizzy, Odyssey, and Black Slate. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

33Season 17

Season 17, Episode 33

October 9, 1980

Peter Powell introduces the pop chart programme, including performances from Status Quo, Diana Ross, OMD, Black Slate, the Nolans, Linx, Gilbert O'Sullivan, and the Police. Includes chart rundown and a performance by Legs & Co. Also features a guest apperance from Dennis Waterman & Paul Jones.

34Season 17

Season 17, Episode 34

October 16, 1980

Tommy Vance introduces the pop chart programme, including performances from Showaddywaddy, Adam & the Ants, Matchbox, the Police, Madness and George Benson. Plus, a chart rundown and a performance from Legs & Co. Guest appearances from Suzi Quatro, Dollar and Michael Palin.

35Season 17

Season 17, Episode 35

October 23, 1980

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Nolans, Kelly Marie, Kate Bush, and Ottawan. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

36Season 17

Season 17, Episode 36

October 30, 1980

Peter Powell introduces the pop chart programme, including performances from Adam and the Ants, Odyssey, Bad Manners, Sheena Easton, Showaddywaddy and Barbra Streisand.

37Season 17

Season 17, Episode 37

November 6, 1980

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Status Quo, Stephanie Mills, Roxy Music, and MotÖrhead. Introduced by Jimmy Savile & Richard Skinner.

38Season 17

Season 17, Episode 38

November 13, 1980

Simon Bates presents the iconic pop show. Includes appearances from Iron Maiden, David Bowie, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Liquid Gold, Spandau Ballet, ABBA and Blondie. Plus a performance from Legs & Co, and special guests Dr Hook and Stu Francis.

39Season 17

Season 17, Episode 39

November 20, 1980

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Boomtown Rats, Eddy Grant, Kool & The Gang, and Status Quo. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

40Season 17

Season 17, Episode 40

November 27, 1980

Tommy Vance presents the pop show. Includes performances from Showaddywaddy, Robert Palmer, Stray Cats, UB40, ABBA, Madness and Spandau Ballet, plus a dance routine from Legs and Co.

41Season 17

Season 17, Episode 41

December 4, 1980

Peter Powell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 December 1993 and featuring St Winifred's School Choir, Eddy Grant, Neil Diamond, Jona Lewie, AC/DC, The Boomtown Rats, Abba and a dance routine from Legs & Co.

42Season 17

Season 17, Episode 42

December 11, 1980

Richard Skinner presents the pop show, with performances from Adam and the Ants, Madness, the Stray Cats, Status Quo, Queen, ABBA and the Police. Guests include Gary Numan, and there's a dance performance from Legs & Co.

43Season 17

Season 17, Episode 43

December 18, 1980

Simon Bates presents the weekly pop show. Includes performances from the Beat, St Winifred's School Choir, the Specials, Gary Numan, Robert Palmer, the Nolans and Jona Lewie, and a dance routine by Legs & Co.