Top of the Pops — 1981
Jan 01, 1981
1. Episode 1
Jan 01, 1981Dave 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.
45m
2. Episode 2
Jan 08, 1981Richard 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.
40m
3. Episode 3
Jan 15, 1981A 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.
40m
4. Episode 4
Jan 22, 1981Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Spandau Ballet, XTC, Adam and the Ants, Bad Manners and Blondie.
40m
5. Episode 5
Jan 29, 1981Tommy 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.
40m
6. Episode 6
Feb 05, 1981Simon 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.
40m
7. Episode 7
Feb 12, 1981Richard 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.
40m
8. Episode 8
Feb 19, 1981A 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.
35m
9. Episode 9
Feb 26, 1981Peter 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.
40m
10. Episode 10
Mar 05, 1981Mike 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.
40m
11. Episode 11
Mar 12, 1981Tommy 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.
40m
12. Episode 12
Mar 19, 1981Peter 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.
30m
13. Episode 13
Mar 26, 1981Richard 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.
30m
14. Episode 14
Apr 02, 1981Simon 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.
30m
15. Episode 15
Apr 09, 1981Mike 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.
30m
16. Episode 16
Apr 16, 1981Peter 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.
40m
17. Episode 17
Apr 23, 1981A 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.
40m
18. Episode 18
Apr 30, 1981A 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.
40m
19. Episode 19
May 07, 1981A 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.
40m
20. Episode 20
May 14, 1981Tommy 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.
20m
21. Episode 21
May 21, 1981A 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.
40m
22. Episode 22
May 28, 1981Simon 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.
35m
23. Episode 23
Jun 04, 1981Richard 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.
35m
24. Episode 24
Jun 11, 1981A 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.
35m
25. Episode 25
Jun 18, 1981Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Linx, Phil Collins, Odyssey, The Specials, Imagination and Smokey Robinson, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
35m
26. Episode 26
Jun 25, 1981Simon 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.
32m
27. Episode 27
Jul 02, 1981A 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.
35m
28. Episode 28
Jul 09, 1981A 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.
35m
29. Episode 29
Jul 16, 1981Peter 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.
32m
30. Episode 30
Jul 23, 1981Richard 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.
35m
31. Episode 31
Jul 30, 1981Steve 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.
35m
32. Episode 32
Aug 06, 1981A 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.
35m
33. Episode 33
Aug 13, 1981Simon 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.
35m
34. Episode 34
Aug 20, 1981A 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.
35m
35. Episode 35
Aug 27, 1981Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring Startrax, Ultravox, Cliff Richard, The Rolling Stones, Aneka and Genesis, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
35m
36. Episode 36
Sep 03, 1981Peter 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.
35m
37. Episode 37
Sep 10, 1981A 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.
40m
38. Episode 38
Sep 17, 1981Steve 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.
40m
39. Episode 39
Sep 24, 1981Simon 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.
40m
40. Episode 40
Oct 01, 1981Weekly 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.
40m
41. Episode 41
Oct 08, 1981A 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.
40m
42. Episode 42
Oct 15, 1981David '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.
40m
43. Episode 43
Oct 22, 1981A 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.
35m
44. Episode 44
Oct 29, 1981Simon Bates presents appearances from Altered Images, Trevor Walters, Haircut 100, Squeeze, Olivia Newton John, OMD, BA Robertson & Maggie Bell, and Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin.
35m
45. Episode 45
Nov 05, 1981Peter 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.
40m
46. Episode 46
Nov 12, 1981A 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.
35m
47. Episode 47
Nov 19, 1981Steve 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.
35m
48. Episode 48
Nov 26, 1981Mike 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.
35m
49. Episode 49
Dec 03, 1981David '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.
32m
50. Episode 50
Dec 10, 1981A 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.
35m
51. Episode 51
Dec 17, 1981Simon 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.
35m
52. Episode 52
Dec 24, 1981David '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.
40m
53. The Hits of 1981
Dec 31, 1981Mike 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.
40m