Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops 1981

TV Show

1981 Episodes

1. Episode 1

January 1st, 198145 min

Dave Lee Travis and Tommy Vance introduce a special edition, featuring some of the top records of 1980. Including performances from Ottawan, The Jam, The Detroit Spinners, and Kelly Marie.

2. Episode 2

January 8th, 198140 min

Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Chas and Dave, The Beat, Matchbox, The Nolans and Racey, and a dance sequence from Legs & Co.

3. Episode 3

January 15th, 198140 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Gary Numan, Dire Straits, Phil Collins, and Mac Davis. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

4. Episode 4

January 22nd, 198140 min

Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Spandau Ballet, XTC, Adam and the Ants, Bad Manners and Blondie.

5. Episode 5

January 29th, 198140 min

Tommy Vance introduces the pop programme, featuring Slade, The Stranglers, Sheila Hylton, Susan Fassbender, John Lennon, The Gap Band, Phil Collins, Madness and Ultravox, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

6. Episode 6

February 5th, 198140 min

Simon Bates introduces the pop programme, featuring Joe Dolce, The Stray Cats, The Passions, Rainbow, Blondie, Spandau Ballet, Cliff Richard, Dire Straits, XTC and John Lennon, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

7. Episode 7

February 12th, 198140 min

Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring The Pretenders, Barbara Jones, Kelly Marie, Freeez, Beggar and Co, Coast to Coast, Slade and John Lennon, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

8. Episode 8

February 19th, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Rainbow, Headgirl (motorhead & Girlschool), Stray Cats, and Visage. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

9. Episode 9

February 26th, 198140 min

Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Status Quo, Kim Wilde, Madness, Kiki Dee, Coast to Coast, The Passions, Roxy Music and Joe Dolce, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

10. Episode 10

March 5th, 198140 min

Mike Read introduces the pop programme, featuring Duran Duran, Shakin Stevens, Phil Collins, The Who, Adam and the Ants, Toyah, Motorhead & Girlschool, Joe Dolce, Talking Heads and The Teardrop Explodes, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

11. Episode 11

March 12th, 198140 min

Tommy Vance introduces the pop programme, featuring The Teardrop Explodes, Kim Wilde, Linx, Status Quo, Kelly Marie, Freeez, Beggar & Co, Landscape, Talking Heads, Kiki Dee, Coast to Coast and Roxy Music, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

12. Episode 12

March 19th, 198130 min

Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Sharon Redd, Bucks Fizz, Colin Blunstone & Dave Stewart, Toyah, The Who, Phil Collins, Shakin Stevens, Visage, Roxy Music and Duran Duran, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

13. Episode 13

March 26th, 198130 min

Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring Graham Bonnet, Hazel O'Connor, Tony Capstick, Gillan, Lene Lovich, Bad Manners, Shakin' Stevens, Linx, Landscape, the Polecats and Kim Wilde, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

14. Episode 14

April 2nd, 198130 min

Simon Bates introduces the pop programme, featuring Stiff Little Fingers, Liquid Gold, Light of the World, Children of Tansley School, Sugar Minott, Lena Zavaroni, Spandau Ballet, Shakin' Stevens, Stevie Wonder, The Nolans and Bucks Fizz, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

15. Episode 15

April 9th, 198130 min

Mike Read introduces the pop programme, featuring Keith Marshall, Bucks Fizz, Public Image, Eddy Grant, Linx, Saxon, Graham Bonnet, Gillan, The Whispers and Shakin' Stevens, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

16. Episode 16

April 16th, 198140 min

Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Bad Manners, Girlschool, Department S, The Beat, The Cure, The Nolans, UK Subs, The Jacksons, Whitesnake, Spandau Ballet, Sugar Minott, Bucks Fizz and Ennio Morricone, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

17. Episode 17

April 23rd, 198140 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Matchbox, Roger Taylor, Barry Manilow, and Keith Marshall. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

18. Episode 18

April 30th, 198140 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Madness, Sheena Easton, Ennio Morricone, and Quincy Jones. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.

19. Episode 19

May 7th, 198140 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Stray Cats, Keith Marshall, Eddy Grant, and Reo Speedwagon. Introduced by Peter Powell.

20. Episode 20

May 14th, 198120 min

Tommy Vance introduces the pop programme. Includes appearances from Thin Lizzy, Department S, Tenpole Tudor, Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes and Adam and the Ants, plus a dance performance by Legs and Co.

21. Episode 21

May 21st, 198140 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Shakin' Stevens, Toyah, The Teardrop Explodes, and The Human League. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

22. Episode 22

May 28th, 198135 min

Simon Bates introduces the pop programme, featuring The Polecats, UB40, Hazel O'Connor, Coast to Coast, Adam & the Ants and Kim Carnes, plus a dance performance from Legs & Co.

23. Episode 23

June 4th, 198135 min

Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring Siouxsie & the Banshees, Imagination, Phil Collins, Squeeze, The Jam, Toyah and Adam & the Ants, plus a dance performance from Legs & Co.

24. Episode 24

June 11th, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Hazel O'connor, Elaine Paige, Ultravox, and Enigma. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.

25. Episode 25

June 18th, 198135 min

Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Linx, Phil Collins, Odyssey, The Specials, Imagination and Smokey Robinson, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

26. Episode 26

June 25th, 198132 min

Simon Bates introduces the pop programme, featuring The Evasions, Randy Crawford, Depeche Mode, Elaine Paige, Kirsty MacColl and Gillan, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

27. Episode 27

July 2nd, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Third World, Quincy Jones, Linx, and Michael Jackson. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

28. Episode 28

July 9th, 198135 min

A special live edition of the chart show, celebrating the 900th episode. A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Supremes, The Dave Clark Five, Randy Crawford, and Tom Tom Club. Introduced by Jimmy Savile, Alan Freeman, David Jacobs, & Pete Murray.

29. Episode 29

July 16th, 198132 min

Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Spandau Ballet, Saxon, Dexys Midnight Runners, Third World, Kate Bush, Bad Manners and The Specials, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

30. Episode 30

July 23rd, 198135 min

Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring the Vapors, Tight Fit, Gidea Park, Sheena Easton, Visage and the Specials, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

31. Episode 31

July 30th, 198135 min

Steve Wright introduces the pop programme, featuring Kim Wilde, The Undertones, Duran Duran, Bill Wyman, Stevie Wonder, Spandau Ballet, The Specials and Shakin' Stevens, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

32. Episode 32

August 6th, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Sheena Easton, Lobo, Reo Speedwagon, and Tight Fit. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.

33. Episode 33

August 13th, 198135 min

Simon Bates introduces the pop programme, featuring Duran Duran, Soft Cell, Aneka, Shakin' Stevens, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Electric Light Orchestra and Bill Wyman, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

34. Episode 34

August 20th, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Human League, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Randy Crawford, and Lobo. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

35. Episode 35

August 27th, 198135 min

Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring Startrax, Ultravox, Cliff Richard, The Rolling Stones, Aneka and Genesis, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

36. Episode 36

September 3rd, 198135 min

Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring The Teardrop Explodes, OMD, Modern Romance, Dollar, Soft Cell, Gary Numan and Funkapolitan, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

37. Episode 37

September 10th, 198140 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Cliff Richard, Randy Crawford, Imagination, and Ottawan. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.

38. Episode 38

September 17th, 198140 min

Steve Wright introduces the pop programme, featuring performances from Gidea Park, Beggar & Co, Sheena Easton, Godley and Creme, The Pointer Sisters, Bucks Fizz and Adam & The Ants, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

39. Episode 39

September 24th, 198140 min

Simon Bates introduces the pop chart programme, featuring performances from Slade, Depeche Mode, Madness, Imagination, Alvin Stardust, Linx and Adam & The Ants, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.

40. Episode 40

October 1st, 198140 min

Weekly pop chart programme presented by Mike Read, first broadcast on 1 October 1981. Includes appearances from The Tweets, Toyah, Altered Images, Gidea Park, The Creatures, Bad Manners, Dollar and Adam & The Ants, plus a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

41. Episode 41

October 8th, 198140 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, Shakin' Stevens, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, and Tight Fit. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

42. Episode 42

October 15th, 198140 min

David 'Kid' Jensen presents the TOTP hits of the week, first broadcast on 15 October 1981. Includes appearances from BA Robertson & Maggie Bell, Squeeze, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, This Year's Blonde, Toyah, The Creatures and Bad Manners. Also includes a dance sequence by Legs & Co.

43. Episode 43

October 22nd, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Human League, The Four Tops, Gillan, and The Jam. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.

44. Episode 44

October 29th, 198135 min

Simon Bates presents appearances from Altered Images, Trevor Walters, Haircut 100, Squeeze, Olivia Newton John, OMD, BA Robertson & Maggie Bell, and Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin.

45. Episode 45

November 5th, 198140 min

Peter Powell presents the weekly pop chart show, first broadcast on 5 November 1981. Includes appearances from The Dukes, Jets, ABC, Modern Romance, The Police, Rush, Julio Iglesias, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, and The Four Tops.

46. Episode 46

November 12th, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Omd, The Fureys With Davey Arthur, Air Supply, and Daryl Hall & John Oates. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.

47. Episode 47

November 19th, 198135 min

Steve Wright presents the pop chart show, first broadcast on 19 November 1981. Includes appearances by Modern Romance, The Pretenders, Fun Boy Three, ABC, Trevor Walters, Julio Iglesias, Diana Ross, Soft Cell and Zoo.

48. Episode 48

November 26th, 198135 min

Mike Read presents the pop chart show, first broadcast on 26 November 1981. Includes appearances by Kim Wilde, Jets, Toyah, Kool & The Gang, Earth Wind & Fire, Cliff Richard, Ultravox, and Queen & David Bowie.

49. Episode 49

December 3rd, 198132 min

David 'Kid' Jensen presents the pop chart show, first broadcast on 3rd December 1981. Includes appearances from Bad Manners, Soft Cell, Duran Duran, Fun Boy Three, Godley & Creme, The Human League, Julio Iglesias and Zoo.

50. Episode 50

December 10th, 198135 min

A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Madness, Ken Dodd, Bucks Fizz, and Abba. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.

51. Episode 51

December 17th, 198135 min

Simon Bates presents the pop charts show, first broadcast on 17 December 1981. Includes appearances from Duran Duran, Godley & Creme, the Snowmen, Cliff Richard, Rod Stewart, Status Quo, the Human League and Zoo.

52. Episode 52

December 24th, 198140 min

David 'Kid' Jensen presents the weekly pop chart show, first broadcast on 24 December 1981. Includes appearances from Bucks Fizz, Dollar, Roy Wood & Wizzard, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Altered Images, the Human League and Zoo.

53. The Hits of 1981

December 31st, 198140 min

Mike Read presents the hits of 1981, in a show first broadcast on 31 December 1981. Includes appearances from Adam & the Ants, John Lennon, Roxy Music, Aneka, The Police, The Specials, Joe Dolce, Julio Iglesias, Bucks Fizz, Soft Cell and The Human League.

All Seasons

2006

2006

Jan 8, 2006
2005

2005

Jan 7, 2005
2004

2004

Jan 9, 2004
2003

2003

Jan 3, 2003
2002

2002

Jan 11, 2002
2001

2001

Jan 5, 2001
2000

2000

Jan 7, 2000
1999

1999

Jan 8, 1999
1998

1998

Jan 9, 1998
1997

1997

Jan 10, 1997
1996

1996

Jan 4, 1996
1995

1995

Jan 5, 1995
1994

1994

Jan 6, 1994
1993

1993

Jan 7, 1993
1992

1992

Jan 2, 1992
1991

1991

Jan 3, 1991
1990

1990

Jan 4, 1990
1989

1989

Jan 5, 1989
1988

1988

Jan 7, 1988
1987

1987

Jan 1, 1987
1986

1986

Jan 2, 1986
1985

1985

Jan 3, 1985
1984

1984

Jan 5, 1984
1983

1983

Jan 6, 1983
1982

1982

Jan 7, 1982
1981

1981

Jan 1, 1981
1980

1980

Jan 3, 1980
1979

1979

Jan 4, 1979
1978

1978

Jan 5, 1978
1977

1977

Jan 6, 1977
1976

1976

Jan 1, 1976
1975

1975

Jan 2, 1975
1974

1974

Jan 3, 1974
1973

1973

Jan 4, 1973
1972

1972

Jan 6, 1972
1971

1971

Jan 7, 1971
1970

1970

Jan 1, 1970
1969

1969

Jan 2, 1969
1968

1968

Jan 4, 1968
1967

1967

Jan 5, 1967
1966

1966

Jan 6, 1966
1965

1965

Jan 7, 1965
1964

1964

Jan 1, 1964
Specials

Specials

Dec 31, 1988