FEATURE:
A Festive Tradition
IN THIS PHOTO: Clara Amfo and Fearne Cotton will host two one-hour Top of the Pops specials (on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve)/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
Looking Ahead to the Top of the Pops Christmas and New Year Specials
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THE Christmas T.V. line-up on BBC One…
IN THIS PHOTO: BBC Sound of 2020 winner, Celeste
looks a bit patchy this year. There is a combination of animated films, re-runs and EastEnders! Maybe Channel 4 or other stations will play more appealing Christmas things like The Snowman but, in the schedule, we have Top of the Pops. The long-running T.V. institution came to an end in 2006 but, happily, there is a Christmas special and one for New Year’s Eve. This year’s shows looks pretty decent:
“TV’s biggest pop party will return to BBC One screens this festive period with BBC Radio 1’s Clara Amfo and TV and radio presenter Fearne Cotton reprising their roles as hosts. Recorded at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London, the one-hour specials will feature new exclusive performances from some of 2020’s most exciting pop stars.
The star-studded Christmas Special will feature brand new performances from (in alphabetical order):
AJ Tracey x Aitch
Becky Hill
Celeste
Clean Bandit & Mabel
Ella Henderson
Jamie Cullum
Joel Corry & MNEK
KSI ft. Craig David & Digital Farm Animals
Fearne and Clara will return to the nation’s TV screens for the New Year Special, taking a look back at the year in music to bring the year to a close in style. The performers are (in alphabetical order):
Alfie Templeman
Arlo Parks
Becky Hill
Nathan Dawe ft. KSI & Ella Henderson
Sigala & James Arthur
Wes Nelson ft. Hardy Caprio
YUNGBLUD
IN THIS PHOTO: Alfie Templeman
As well as brand new performances, both shows will also feature live highlights from the past twelve months. Viewers can re-live performances of some of the biggest songs of the year from the likes of Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi and Dua Lipa.
Mabel says: “So excited to perform at this year's Top of the Pops. It's always an honour performing on such a legendary show! Me and Clean Bandit are gonna give you a special performance to round off your 2020!''
Celeste says: "I’m ecstatic to be invited back on to Top of the Pops for the second year in a row. It’s been such a crazy year so to be ending in this way is such an honour.”
Clean Bandit say: ““We’re excited to be performing alongside some of our favourite artists and collaborators this year - TOTP is a Christmas TV tradition!”
YUNGBLUD says: “Some of the greatest artists in history have played Top of the Pops and I've watched and been inspired by those performances. After a year of being trapped inside and bottling my ADHD up, it’s all gonna come out in this performance. We’re gonna burn the house down...bring a fire extinguisher.”
Clara Amfo says: “I’m delighted to be part of Top of the Pops this year. As we know, 2020 has been a challenge and as always music is a constant balm for us! I’m really looking forward to celebrating the artists with Fearne and everyone watching at home.”
Fearne Cotton says: “I’m delighted to be returning to host Top of the Pops with Clara again this year. It’s always a brilliant way to round off the year in music, and this year more than ever we’re all in need of a bit of sparkle! There have been some brilliant musical moments in 2020 and we can’t wait to celebrate some of the biggest tracks and artists with everyone at home.”
Top Of The Pops Christmas Special will be on BBC One on Friday 25 December at 11.55am and Top Of The Pops New Year Special will be on BBC One Friday 31 December at 4.20pm.
Top Of The Pops Christmas and New Year Specials were commissioned for BBC One by Katie Taylor, Commissioning Editor for Entertainment. Alison Howe is the Executive Producer and Caroline Cullen is the Producer for BBC Studios Entertainment and Music”.
It is a shame that Top of the Pops is not on anymore because, in its heyday, it was essential viewing - and we were introduced to so many varied artists! It seems strange at a time when we have more artists than ever before that there are fewer music T.V. shows. It also seems odd that there is no dedicated music show to upcoming artists because, as you can see from the line-up above, there are some of 2020’s hottest artists. I wonder whether they will do some Christmas classics or perform their own material; maybe we will get something a bit different but, whatever happens, it will be a treat for Christmas. I will also be curious to see how the New Year’s Eve one differs and whether there is a similar vibe.
IN THIS PHOTO: Mabel
I guess the question about whether there will be anyone in the audience stands. I am not certain whether the show has already been taped, but Top of the Pops’ real charm comes from the audience and the enthusiasm they have for the songs! Maybe there will be a limited studio audience. It will be interesting to see how things are staged. It makes me nostalgic for the older days when Top of the Pops was running. Maybe the Christmas special will compel T.V. bosses to introduce a new music show as, in 2020, it is alarming that there really isn’t anything out there for artists to showcase their music away from radio! Make sure you tune in on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve and get a warm blast from a legendary T.V. show. It has been a bleak year and one with very little light but, as good news is starting to come through, there will be something extra-special about watching Top of the Pops. Many of the artists who will feature I have never seen perform or heard much of their music; many others will discover some great artists. The Top of the Pops gap is quite a big one but, with two new shows lined up, we will tune in and…
IN THIS PHOTO: Jamie Cullum
WELCOME it back!