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Top of the Pops back at Christmas Top of the Pops back at Christmas
(about 1 hour later)
Music show Top of the Pops is to return to the BBC over the Christmas holiday period - despite earlier promises it would not be brought back. Music show Top of the Pops is to return to the BBC over the Christmas period - despite earlier promises it would not be brought back.
The Top of the Pops Christmas Special and Top of the Pops New Year's Eve Special will both be presented by Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates. The Top of the Pops Christmas Special and Top of the Pops New Year's Eve Special will be presented by Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates.
Last month, the BBC denied a return after The X Factor's Simon Cowell said he wanted to buy the rights. Last month, the BBC denied a return after The X Factor's Simon Cowell said he wanted to buy the rights for ITV.
A BBC spokesman said the show would return "bigger and better".A BBC spokesman said the show would return "bigger and better".
TOTP firstTOTP first
The U-turn comes after calls from pop stars and politicians to reinstate the much-loved music show, which ran for 42 years before being cancelled in 2006.The U-turn comes after calls from pop stars and politicians to reinstate the much-loved music show, which ran for 42 years before being cancelled in 2006.
The Christmas special will feature performances from some of the biggest artists of 2008, before counting down to the Christmas number one.The Christmas special will feature performances from some of the biggest artists of 2008, before counting down to the Christmas number one.
TOP OF THE POPS The show began in 1964 The first episode included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Dusty SpringfieldBands were at first expected to mime rather than singDance troupes such as Pan's People were used when artists could not appear TOP OF THE POPS Began in 1964 The first episode included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Dusty SpringfieldBands were at first expected to mime rather than singDance troupes such as Pan's People were used when artists could not appear
The New Year's Eve show - which will review the year in music - is the first time the corporation has shown such a special.The New Year's Eve show - which will review the year in music - is the first time the corporation has shown such a special.
Both shows will appear on BBC One, though transmission times are not yet known. Both shows will appear on BBC One, but transmission times are not yet known.
BBC One controller Jay Hunt said: "With shows on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, Top of the Pops has never been bigger. The shows will form the centrepiece of a massive musical offering during the festive season that we hope viewers are really going to enjoy."BBC One controller Jay Hunt said: "With shows on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, Top of the Pops has never been bigger. The shows will form the centrepiece of a massive musical offering during the festive season that we hope viewers are really going to enjoy."
Host Fearne Cotton said: "I am beyond excited at the thought of a return to the mighty TOTP studios for these one-off shows. Reggie and I feel truly honoured to be able to introduce this year's number one - both shows are going to be huge."Host Fearne Cotton said: "I am beyond excited at the thought of a return to the mighty TOTP studios for these one-off shows. Reggie and I feel truly honoured to be able to introduce this year's number one - both shows are going to be huge."
This does not signal the return of Top of the Pops BBC statementThis does not signal the return of Top of the Pops BBC statement
The show's return comes a few weeks after Cowell said he wanted to buy the brand off the BBC and take it to ITV.The show's return comes a few weeks after Cowell said he wanted to buy the brand off the BBC and take it to ITV.
"If the BBC wanted to do a deal, and I can get ITV to buy it and broadcast it, I'd put it on ITV," Simon Cowell said ahead of the National TV Awards."If the BBC wanted to do a deal, and I can get ITV to buy it and broadcast it, I'd put it on ITV," Simon Cowell said ahead of the National TV Awards.
The BBC said, however, the show would not be returning for a regular series.The BBC said, however, the show would not be returning for a regular series.
"This does not signal the return of Top of the Pops," the spokesman said, adding that the show was "not up for sale"."This does not signal the return of Top of the Pops," the spokesman said, adding that the show was "not up for sale".
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham recently expressed an interest in the show's return, saying it had been a good vehicle to champion new music.Culture Secretary Andy Burnham recently expressed an interest in the show's return, saying it had been a good vehicle to champion new music.
Pop band The Ting Tings - one of the biggest of this year's new bands - also called for the return of the show, saying they wanted to be the first band to play on it.Pop band The Ting Tings - one of the biggest of this year's new bands - also called for the return of the show, saying they wanted to be the first band to play on it.