Top of the Pops backdrop
Reality

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 58d 16h•Peaking at 8.9/10

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

Airs on
BBC One
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons43

All12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Top of the Pops Season 14 Episode 20 - 19th May 1977
    8.9/10(31 votes)

    #1 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Top of the Pops Season 14 Episode 22 - 2nd June 1977
    8.7/10(31 votes)

    #2 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Top of the Pops Season 14 Episode 25 - 23th June 1977
    8.7/10(28 votes)

    #3 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #4 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Top of the Pops Season 21 Episode 52 - Episode 52
    8.5/10(12 votes)

    #5 - Episode 52

    S21:E52

    The 1984 Christmas special of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1984. Featuring Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Howard Jones, Duran Duran, Nik Kershaw, Culture Club, Thompson Twins, Jim Diamond, Wham!, Paul Young, George Michael and Band Aid.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Top of the Pops Season 14 Episode 24 - 16th June 1977
    8.4/10(10 votes)

    #6 - 16th June 1977

    S14:E24

    David 'Kid' Jensen looks at the weekly pop chart from 1977 and introduces John Miles, Hot Chocolate, Archie Bell and the Drells, the Foster Brothers, Queen, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Olivia Newton-John, the Muppets and Kenny Rogers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Top of the Pops

    READ
  7. Top of the Pops Season 39 Episode 51 - 25th December 2002
    8.4/10(10 votes)

    #7 - 25th December 2002

    S39:E51

    Lisa Snowdon and Richard Blackwood introduce the fast-moving music show featuring Britain's best selling hits of 2002, and the Christmas number one of 2002. Including performances from Atomic Kitten, Gareth Gates, Ronan Keating, Girls Aloud, and Darius.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Top of the Pops Season 21 Episode 53 - Episode 53
    8.3/10(12 votes)

    #8 - Episode 53

    S21:E53

    Lenny Henry presents a review of all of the hits from 1984, first broadcast on 27 December 1984. Includes Spandau Ballet, Neil, Ultravox, Shakin' Stevens, Bronski Beat, Bananarama, Flying Pickets, Black Lace, Slade, Chaka Khan, Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie, Joe Fagin and Stevie Wonder.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Top of the Pops Season 15 Episode 22 - 15th June 1978
    8.2/10(10 votes)

    #9 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Top of the Pops Season 22 Episode 52 - Christmas Special 1985
    8.1/10(13 votes)

    #10 - Christmas Special 1985

    S22:E52

    Gary Davies, Janice Long, Dixie Peach, John Peel and Steve Wright present the hits of 1985.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #11 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Top of the Pops Season 17 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.0/10(11 votes)

    #12 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #13 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #14 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #15 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #16 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #17 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Top of the Pops Season 30 Episode 52 - December 25, 1993
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #18 - December 25, 1993

    S30:E52

    Mark Franklin and Tony Dortie present a Christmas Special of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1993 and featuring 2 Unlimited, Snow, The Bluebells, Ace of Base, Gabrielle, Take That with Lulu, Meat Loaf and Mr Blobby.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Top of the Pops Season 31 Episode 47 - November 24, 1994
    8.0/10(16 votes)

    #19 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #20 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Top of the Pops Season 32 Episode 52 - Christmas 1995
    8.0/10(16 votes)

    #21 - Christmas 1995

    S32:E52

    Björk and Jack Dee introduce the biggest selling songs of 1995, plus the Christmas Day Number One. Live in the studio are N-Trance, Annie Lennox, Take That, Boyzone, The Outhere Brothers, Simply Red, Robson and Jerome, Pulp, and Blur.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #22 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #23 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #24 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    #25 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"19th May 1977" is the best rated episode of "Top of the Pops". It scored 8.9/10 based on 31 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/19/1977. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "2nd June 1977".