At the BBC - Season 24 / Year 2025

Songs of sorrow and heartache by music's biggest stars, as performed on the BBC over the years. Highlights include Aretha Franklin's Don't Play That Song, as well as numbers from Dolly Parton, the Arctic Monkeys, One Direction, Boyz II Men and George Michael.

A compilation of Top of the Pops performances by actors from the long-running soap.

A trawl through the BBC archive for a collection of chart hits that take their inspiration from big-screen stars and classic movie moments, including Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes, Bananarama's 1984 hit Robert De Niro's Waiting, Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz and Deep Blue Something's Breakfast at Tiffany's. The programme also features I'm in Love with a German Film Star, by the Passions, and Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much, which namechecks a leading Hollywood actor.

The singer marks her 80th birthday by looking back over her career, highlighted by some of her finest performances at the BBC, including appearances on Top of the Pops, Parkinson, The Old Grey Whistle Test, Wogan and The One Show. Songs include Pearl's a Singer, No More the Fool, Lilac Wine and Fool If You Think It's Over, and in between, Elkie remembers working alongside the likes of Chris Rea and Robert Palmer, and reveals personal insights into what has inspired her.

The Irish singer and composer as seen on the BBC, including her breakthrough single Orinoco Flow, which stayed at the top of the UK charts for three weeks in 1988. Since then she has released nine top 10 albums and won multiple awards all while maintaining her privacy, rarely giving interviews and never touring.

As The Big Night of Musicals ends on BBC One, Elaine Paige keeps the show running by rustling up a fresh selection of tunes from favourite musicals, including Les Misérables, Oklahoma!, Hamilton and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The performances, all taken from the BBC archive, feature the likes of Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Hugh Jackman and Barbara Dickson, as well as a set of full cast ensembles.

Tomorrow, Eric Clapton turns 80. To mark the occasion, BBC Two presents an evening of programmes dedicated to the acclaimed British blues guitarist, kicking off with a selection of his BBC performances over the decades. Highlights include the regae-infused hit I Shot the Sheriff, the 1980s ballad Wonderful Tonight and appearances with Smokey Robinson, Bobby Whitlock and Tina Turner.

A compilation of 40 big hits by the artists that originally performed them, such as John Fogerty's Rockin' All Over the World - which became synonymous with 1970s rockers Status Quo - and Lori Lieberman's Killing Me Softly with His Song - covered by many artists, including Roberta Flack. Others featured include Gladys Knight, Neil Diamond, Nine Inch Nails, Dolly Parton and the Zutons, whose song Valerie became a massive hit for Amy Whitehouse.

A selection of stripped-back performances by artists who have appeared in the Radio 2 Piano Room. Highlights include Jessie Ware with her own version of Cher's 1998 hit Believe, rap star Stormzy giving a tender rendition of Oleta Adams' 1991 soul classic Get Here, Pink's cover of Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinéad O'Connor and Coldplay with the Proclaimers' anthem Sunshine on Leith. Other artists include Ed Sheeran, Clean Bandit, Joy Crookes, James Blunt, Emeli Sandé, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, Belinda Carlisle, Sugababes, Raye, Suzanne Vega, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bono and the Edge, Alison Moyet, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Bublé, Anastacia, and Jools Holland and Rod Stewart.

Another deep dive into the BBC's music archive, pointing the musical compass away from Top of the Pops on a quest to uncover 40 hidden gems. The songs are familiar but the performances may not be, such as Bronski Beat singing Smalltown Boy for the first time on the BBC, Rihanna's rockier version of Umbrella, Sophie Ellis-Bextor covering Pulp's Do You Remember the First Time? and Kate Bush pairing up for a tango during Hounds of Love.

Ever since the first episode was broadcast in 1968, Dad's Army has been one of the most familiar programmes on British television – much-loved and shown repeatedly, thanks to the affection it is held in by viewers of all generations. But despite its seemingly constant presence on screen, lots of Dad's Army moments have remained unseen inside the BBC's archives – until now.

Narrator Toby Jones – who himself played Captain Mainwaring in the 2016 Dad's Army film – shares a selection of classic clips that feature everyone's favourite Home Guard platoon in appearances that took them beyond the confines of Walmington-on-Sea. Amongst the many delights are Mainwaring dancing and sparring with Morecambe and Wise, the whole cast defending Buckingham Palace at the 1970 Royal Gala, Private Pike invading the Lulu Show, and a special song and dance tribute to Noel Coward – all must-see moments for fans of the show.

A journey through the BBC's music archives, diving in to share all that was great in 1988. With hits from Kylie Minogue, Salt-N-Pepa, Terence Trent D'Arby and Glenn Medeiros.

A selection of performances from the BBC's archives by the American singer-songwriter, featuring appearances on The Old Grey Whistle Test and Top of the Pops and BBC Four sessions.

With songs like Uptown Girl, Piano Man and We Didn't Start the Fire, Billy Joel was one of the most successful artists of the 1970s and '80s. This deep dive into the American singer-songwriter's appearances over the decades on the BBC digs up the best moments from the archives, with all the biggest hits and fan favourites, from his first UK hit Just the Way You Are through to The River of Dreams, the last big single of his career.

A selection of songs from the year, featuring Queen, Simple Minds, Elton John, Prince, Duran Duran, Foreigner, Billy Ocean, Marillion, Go West, King, Strawberry Switchblade, Kirsty MacColl and Princess. There are also collaborations between Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, Gary Moore and Phil Lynott, and Chrissie Hynde and UB40.

With Oasis's long-awaited reunion and the band's sell-out run of concerts finally just around the corner, this programme dives into the BBC's music archives for a celebration of the band. Featuring the early mission statements that were Rock 'n' Roll Star, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Wonderwall, Slide Away and Champagne Supernova, it's a compilation that helps explain the Oasis phenomenon, demonstrating why and how they became one of Britain's biggest bands.

A selection of archive performances by the Electric Light Orchestra, whose futuristic fusion of rock 'n' roll and classical arrangements first took off in the 1970s. This programme brings together the very best of the band's performances at the BBC over the years, featuring hits including 10538 Overture, Don't Bring Me Down, Livin' Thing, Sweet Talkin' Woman and Mr Blue Sky.

Kevin Rowland looks back on his unique career as he introduces the best of Dexys' BBC performances from over the decades.