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The Best Episodes of Top of the Pops

Every episode of Top of the Pops ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Top of the Pops!

Binge this in 59d 11h•Peaking at 9.6/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Top of the Pops Season 38 Episode 20 - 25th May 2001
    9.6/10(14 votes)

    #1 - 25th May 2001

    S38:E20

    Gail Porter introduces the fast-moving music show featuring live performances, the latest videos, a countdown of the top 20, and Britain's best selling single of the week. Including performances from Stereo M.c.'s, A-teens, Rem, U2, and S. Club 7.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Top of the Pops Season 14 Episode 20 - 19th May 1977
    9.0/10(30 votes)

    #2 - 19th May 1977

    S14:E20

    David 'Kid' Jensen looks at the weekly pop chart from 1977 and introduces Suzi Quatro, Linda Lewis, Carole Bayer Sager, Tony Etoria, the Jacksons, the Jam, the Bay City Rollers, Joe Tex, Joy Sarney and Rod Stewart, with a dance sequence from Legs & Co.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Top of the Pops Season 14 Episode 22 - 2nd June 1977
    8.9/10(30 votes)

    #3 - 2nd June 1977

    S14:E22

    Noel Edmonds looks at the weekly pop chart from 1977 and introduces Elkie Brooks, the Muppets, Twiggy, Jesse Green, Hot Chocolate, the Strawbs, Genesis, the Four Seasons, Heatwave, Carol Bayer Sager and Rod Stewart, with a dance sequence from Legs & Co.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Top of the Pops Season 14 Episode 25 - 23th June 1977
    8.9/10(27 votes)

    #4 - 23th June 1977

    S14:E25

    Jimmy Savile looks at the weekly pop chart from 1977 and introduces Dave Edmunds, Tony Etoria, Gary Glitter, Brotherhood of Man, Johnny Nash, Paul Nicholas, Carol Bayer Sager, the Stranglers, the Jacksons and Legs & Co.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Top of the Pops Season 21 Episode 50 - Episode 50
    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #5 - Episode 50

    S21:E50

    Steve Wright and Peter Powell take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Wham!, Kool & The Gang, Tears For Fears, and The Toy Dolls.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Top of the Pops Season 30 Episode 20 - May 21, 1993
    8.1/10(11 votes)

    #6 - May 21, 1993

    S30:E20

    Tony Dortie presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 May 1993 and featuring Saint Etienne, Felix, Luther Vandross, Charles & Eddie, Runrig, Ace of Base, Bon Jovi and UB40.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Top of the Pops

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  7. Top of the Pops Season 15 Episode 22 - 15th June 1978
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #7 - 15th June 1978

    S15:E22

    A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Rokotto, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Smokie, and The Boomtown Rats. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Top of the Pops Season 17 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #8 - Episode 6

    S17:E6

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Top of the Pops Season 19 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #9 - Episode 6

    S19:E6

    Tommy Vance presents the pop chart show, first broadcast on 11 February 1982. Includes appearances from Fun Boy Three & Bananarama, the Stranglers, Bow Wow Wow, Adrian Gurvitz, Hall & Oates, Depeche Mode, the J Geils Band, Modern Romance, Haircut 100 and the Jam.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Top of the Pops Season 21 Episode 29 - Episode 29
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #10 - Episode 29

    S21:E29

    Peter Powell and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 July 1984. Featuring The Mighty Wah!, Prince, Billy Idol, Blancmange, Divine, Thompson Twins and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Top of the Pops Season 25 Episode 33 - August 18, 1988
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #11 - August 18, 1988

    S25:E33

    Mike Read and Simon Mayo present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 August 1988 and featuring Aztec Camera, Kylie Minogue, Chris Rea, Status Quo, Van Halen, Big Country, Fairground Attraction, Julio Iglesias and Stevie Wonder, Yazz & The Plastic Population, and Robbie Robertson.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Top of the Pops Season 25 Episode 38 - September 22, 1988
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #12 - September 22, 1988

    S25:E38

    Nicky Campbell and Andy Crane present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 September 1988 and featuring Pet Shop Boys, Womack & Womack, Bill Withers, Transvision Vamp, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Rick Astley, The Hollies and The Pasadenas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Top of the Pops Season 25 Episode 49 - December 8, 1988
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #13 - December 8, 1988

    S25:E49

    Nicky Campbell and Caron Keating present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 December 1988 and featuring Status Quo, Angry Anderson, Phil Collins, Petula Clark, New Order, Inner City, Erasure, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, Cliff Richard and Bananarama.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Top of the Pops Season 31 Episode 47 - November 24, 1994
    8.0/10(47 votes)

    #14 - November 24, 1994

    S31:E47

    Mark Goodier introduces performances, videos, and pre-chart exclusives by some of the top artists in the charts. Including performances from Jimmy Nail, Louis Armstrong, New Atlantic Feat. Berri, Kylie Minogue, and Luther Vandross.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Top of the Pops Season 32 Episode 20 - May 18, 1995
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #15 - May 18, 1995

    S32:E20

    Lisa L'Anson introduces the latest hits and pre-chart sounds, with a rundown of the UK charts. Including performances from Celine Dion, Ali Campbell, Elton John, Pulp and Robson & Jerome.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Top of the Pops Season 13 Episode 28 - 8th July 1976
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #16 - 8th July 1976

    S13:E28

    Tony Blackburn looks at the weekly pop chart and introduces Sutherland Brothers & Quiver, Billy Ocean, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, 5000 Volts, The Real Thing and Candy Staton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Top of the Pops Season 13 Episode 35 - 26th August 1976
    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #17 - 26th August 1976

    S13:E35

    Noel Edmonds looks at the weekly pop charts and introduces Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Robin Sarstedt, Acker Bilk, Cliff Richard and Gallagher and Lyle.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Top of the Pops Season 18 Episode 9 - Episode 9
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #18 - Episode 9

    S18:E9

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Top of the Pops Season 18 Episode 13 - Episode 13
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #19 - Episode 13

    S18:E13

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Top of the Pops Season 22 Episode 1 - January 3, 1985
    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #20 - January 3, 1985

    S22:E1

    John Peel and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 January 1985. Featuring Smiley Culture, Sal Solo, Paul Young, Tears for Fears, Toy Dolls, Madonna and Band Aid.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Top of the Pops Season 23 Episode 7 - February 13, 1986
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #21 - February 13, 1986

    S23:E7

    Gary Davies and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 February 1986 and featuring Belouis Some, Whitney Houston, Su Pollard, Shakin' Stevens and Billy Ocean.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Top of the Pops Season 24 Episode 6 - February 5, 1987
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #22 - February 5, 1987

    S24:E6

    Janice Long and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 February 1987 and featuring The Blow Monkeys, Randy Crawford, The Smiths, Curiosity Killed the Cat, Michael Crawford, and Aretha Franklin with George Michael.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Top of the Pops Season 24 Episode 16 - April 16, 1987
    7.8/10(10 votes)

    #23 - April 16, 1987

    S24:E16

    Janice Long and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 April 1987 and featuring Fine Young Cannibals, David Bowie, Herb Alpert, Five Star, Bon Jovi and Madonna.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Top of the Pops Season 24 Episode 46 - November 12, 1987
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #24 - November 12, 1987

    S24:E46

    Peter Powell and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 November 1987 and featuring The Communards, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, Mirage, Donna Summer, Marillion, Whitney Houston, Alexander O'Neal, T'Pau and Nina Simone.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Top of the Pops Season 31 Episode 19 - May 12, 1994
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #25 - May 12, 1994

    S31:E19

    Jack Dee presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 May 1994 and featuring Iggy Pop, Michael Bolton, Gloworm, East 17, Joe Roberts, E.Y.C., Marcella Detroit and Elton John, and Stiltskin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"25th May 2001" is the best rated episode of "Top of the Pops". It scored 9.6/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/25/2001. This episode scored 0.6 points higher than the second highest rated, "19th May 1977".