At the BBC - Season 25 / Year 2026

A selection from the BBC's music archives showcasing those hits that saw artists and acts joining forces to bring something new and unique to the UK charts. These are some of the biggest and best collaborations that remain classics to this day, featuring George Michael and Aretha Franklin, Eminem and Dido, Nelly and Kelly Rowland, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, Meat Loaf and Cher, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

The singer looks back on his career, with archive performances of Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home), Love of the Common People, and Every Time You Go Away. Interwoven with clips of these classic songs, Paul reflects on his journey through fame, the stories behind his most memorable tracks, and the experiences that shaped his career, from the early days with the Q-Tips, to solo fame in the 1980s right up to the present day.

Another celebration of artists who lit up the charts exactly once before slipping mysteriously out of view, including Jennifer Paige's Crush, the 1998 hit that defined a summer, alongside the off-kilter charm of Jimmy the Hoover's Tantalise (Wo Wo Ee Yeh Yeh) from 1983. This instalment digs deeper into the vaults to unearth more unforgettable one-offs and near misses, reminding why the charts remain such a thrilling, unpredictable arena.

Scott Mills looks at the greatest musical moments from the long-running charity, including chart-topping performances by Adele, One Direction and the Spice Girls, as well as rarely seen highlights from Sam Smith and John Legend, Justin Bieber, Marti Pellow, McFly - and Helen Mirren and Robbie Coltrane.

Elaine Paige guides viewers through another treasure trove of musical theatre moments from the BBC archives. With classic numbers from Hello, Dolly! to Les Misérables, Chess to South Pacific, the programme features memorable performances from artists including Shirley Bassey, Michael Bublé, Fred Astaire, Alison Moyet, Louis Armstrong and Elaine herself.

Trevor Nelson present a selection of archive performances in a celebration of some of the very best in black British music from over the decades, featuring 40 tracks from artists and genres that have been a vital part of the national soundtrack. The eclectic playlist covers pop, soul, ska, reggae, drum 'n' bass and more, featuring acts including Soul II Soul, Hot Chocolate, Neneh Cherry, Sade, Winifred Atwell, Olivia Dean, So Solid Crew and Stormzy.

DJ Spoony selects a playlist of 40 great tracks that bring together some of the most inspiring names from the worlds of pop, soul, ska, reggae, rap and garage.

A collection of archive performances by the band, who became one of the UK's biggest and most successful bands of the 1980s and '90s, thanks to a string of modern soul classics and covers built around the voice of frontman Mick Hucknall. Among the many songs being showcased here are much-loved favourites like Stars, Holding Back the Years and Something Got Me Started, alongside covers including Money's Too Tight (to Mention), Every Time We Say Goodbye and If You Don't Know Me By Now.

Another compilation of songs that became bigger hits for the artists who covered them, including Mick Jackson - who was the first to perform Blame it on the Boogie before his near namesake Michael and his brothers got hold of the song - and Liza Minnelli, who got to New York, New York before Frank Sinatra. Other artists featured include the Osmonds, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Randy Newman, Randy Crawford, David Bowie and Chaka Khan.

To mark the United States celebrating 250 years of Independence, this programme features 50 of the biggest names in modern American music and their performances over the years at the BBC. It's a playlist of acts covering 70 years of classic hits, that includes the most influential and successful artists, bands and songwriters who made the journey from the US charts to international superstardom, and on their way also took time to appear on a UK audiences' TV screens. Featuring performances by Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Ella Fitzgerald, Nirvana, Liberace, Johnny Cash, Louis Armstrong, Lady Gaga, Carole King, Bruno Marsand Tina Turner.

A celebration of the incredible 50-year career of Bonnie Tyler, the only Welsh performer to have a US number one. Bonnie's distinctive husky vocals and powerful performances made her one of Britain's best-loved and most enduring artists.

This collection from the BBC archive showcases some of her biggest and best moments from over the decades, with hits including Lost in France, Holding Out for a Hero, It's a Heartache and the song frequently voted the greatest power ballad in pop history, Total Eclipse of the Heart.