Last Edition of Top of the Pops
The 30th of July 2006 AD
That’s Top of the Pops for those of a very young persuasion. The show first was broadcast on New Year’s Day 1964, from a studio in Rusholme , Manchester. Jimmy Savile was the original host; Jimmy Savile was the last, though the final programme also featured more recent presenters like Edith Bowman and Reggie Yates, along with blasts from the past Dave Lee Travis, Tony Blackburn , and Mike Read.
For decades TOTP was a must see on a Thursday night (though it later moved to Friday), its mix of chart rundown, hits and new releases the foundation of the programme, though it was also wonderful in other ways: terrible dancing by girls in big glasses and teenage boys in appalling shirts; and gorgeous professional hoofers like Pan’s People, compulsive (male)-viewing for their skimpy costumes – Babs, the 13-year-old me will always love you.
The Rolling Stones were the first band on the first show, and again on the last. Stars from across the decades featured on the last show, filmed in London : Bowie ; Bolan ; Robbie Williams and The Who among many others. Shakira, with Hips Don’t Lie was the last ever song played on the show, the current number one traditionally rounding off the programme. And then a sad Jimmy Savile turned out the lights and 42 years of poptastic television came to an end.
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