Top of the Pops - Season 18 / Year 1981

Season 18 / Year 1981
Network
DatesJan 1, 1981 - Dec 31, 1981
Episodes

Year 1981Episode 130 min
1st January 1981
Dave 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.
Jan 1, 1981

Year 1981Episode 230 min
8th January 1981
Richard 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.
Jan 8, 1981

Year 1981Episode 330 min
15th January 1981
A 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.
Jan 15, 1981

Year 1981Episode 430 min
22nd January 1981
Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Spandau Ballet, XTC, Adam and the Ants, Bad Manners and Blondie.
Jan 22, 1981

Year 1981Episode 530 min
29th January 1981
Tommy 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.
Jan 29, 1981

Year 1981Episode 630 min
5th February 1981
Simon 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.
Feb 5, 1981

Year 1981Episode 730 min
12th February /1981
Richard 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.
Feb 12, 1981

Year 1981Episode 830 min
19th February 1981
A 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.
Feb 19, 1981

Year 1981Episode 930 min
26th February 1981
Peter 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.
Feb 26, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1030 min
5th March 1981
May 3, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1130 min
12th March 1981
Dec 3, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1230 min
19th March 1981
Peter 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.
Mar 19, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1330 min
26th March 1981
Richard 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.
Mar 26, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1430 min
2nd April 1981
Simon 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.
Apr 2, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1530 min
9th April 1981
Mike 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.
Apr 9, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1630 min
16th April 1981
Peter 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.
Apr 16, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1730 min
23rd April 1981
A 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.
Apr 23, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1830 min
30th April 1981
A 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.
Apr 30, 1981

Year 1981Episode 1930 min
7th May 1981
A 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.
May 7, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2030 min
14 May 1981 Cup Final Edition
Tommy 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.
May 14, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2130 min
21st May 1981
A 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.
May 21, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2230 min
28 May 1981
Simon 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.
May 28, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2330 min
04 June 1981
Richard 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.
Jun 4, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2430 min
11th June 1981
A 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.
Jun 11, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2530 min
18th June 1981
Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Linx, Phil Collins, Odyssey, The Specials, Imagination and Smokey Robinson, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
Jun 18, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2630 min
25th July 1981
Jul 25, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2730 min
2nd July 1981
A 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.
Jul 2, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2830 min
9th July 1981 900th Edition
A 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.
Jul 9, 1981

Year 1981Episode 2930 min
16th July 1981
Peter 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.
Jul 16, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3030 min
23rd July 1981
Richard 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.
Jul 23, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3130 min
30th July 1981
Steve 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.
Jul 30, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3230 min
6th August 1981
A 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.
Aug 6, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3330 min
13th August 1981
Simon 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.
Aug 13, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3430 min
20th August 1981
A 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.
Aug 20, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3530 min
27th August 1981
Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring Startrax, Ultravox, Cliff Richard, The Rolling Stones, Aneka and Genesis, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
Aug 27, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3630 min
03 September 1981
Peter 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.
Sep 3, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3730 min
10th September 1981
A 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.
Sep 10, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3830 min
17 September 1981
Steve 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.
Sep 17, 1981

Year 1981Episode 3930 min
24th September 1981
Simon 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.
Sep 24, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4030 min
1st October 1981
Weekly 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.
Oct 1, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4130 min
8th October 1981
A 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.
Oct 8, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4230 min
15th October 1981
David '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.
Oct 15, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4330 min
22nd October 1981
A 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.
Oct 22, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4430 min
29th October 1981
Simon Bates presents appearances from Altered Images, Trevor Walters, Haircut 100, Squeeze, Olivia Newton John, OMD, BA Robertson & Maggie Bell, and Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin.
Oct 29, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4530 min
5th November 1981
Peter 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.
Nov 5, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4630 min
12th November 1981
A 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.
Nov 12, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4730 min
19th November 1981
Steve 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.
Nov 19, 1981

Year 1981Episode 4830 min
3rd December 1981
Dec 3, 1981

Year 1981Episode 5030 min
10th December 1981
A 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.
Dec 10, 1981

Year 1981Episode 5130 min
17th December 1981
Simon 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.
Dec 17, 1981

Year 1981Episode 5230 min
25 December 1981 Christmas Special
Top Of The Pops Xmas Special, presented by – The Radio 1 D.J’s. In the studio are: Teardrop Explodes, Ultravox, Kim Wilde, Human League, Godley & Cream, Kirsty McColl, Dave Stewart w/ Colin Blunstone, Jacksons, Linx, The Beat, Spandau Ballet, Toyah, Laurie Anderson, Altered Images, Depeche Mode, OMD & Shakin’ Stevens.
Dec 25, 1981

Year 1981Episode 5330 min
31 December 1981
Mike 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.
Dec 31, 1981
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