Top of the Pops: 1978
Season 15 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Top of the Pops Season 14.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 15 Progress Shield
5th January 1978
Jan 5, 1978 · 30 min
Peter Powell introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from Eddie & the Hot Rods, Terry Wogan, Long Tall Ernie, the Babys, Tonight, the Brotherhood of Man, J
19th January 1978
Jan 19, 1978 · 30 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Nazareth, Smokie, The Imperials, and The Sweet. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis
26th January 1978
Jan 26, 1978 · 29 min
David 'Kid' Jensen presents the pop chart programme, first shown on 26 January 1978 and featuring Rich Kids, Althea & Donna, Gordon Giltrap, Terry Wogan, Yellow Dog, Gallagher & Ly
2nd February 1978
Feb 2, 1978 · 30 min
Tony Blackburn introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from Scott Fitzgerald & Yvonne Keeley, Brotherhood of Man, Smokie, Darts, Sweet, Rose Royce, Rod Ste
9th February 1978
Feb 9, 1978 · 30 min
Peter Powell introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from Tonight, Baccara, Brotherhood of Man, ELO, Lulu, Yellow Dog, Dusty Springfield, The Stranglers, D
16th February 1978
Feb 16, 1978 · 30 min
David 'Kid' Jensen introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from the Tom Robinson Band, Kate Bush, Elkie Brooks, Magazine, Darts, Billy Joel, Sweet, the Bee
23rd February 1978
Feb 23, 1978 · 30 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Blondie, Free, The Stranglers, and Yellow Dog. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.
2nd March 1978
Mar 2, 1978 · 30 min
Noel Edmonds presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 March 1978 and featuring Darts, Kate Bush, Nick Lowe, Andy Williams, Samantha Sang, Rita Coolidge, Tom Robinson
9th March 1978
Mar 9, 1978 · 30 min
Tony Blackburn introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from Generation X, Elkie Brooks, Hot Chocolate, Tina Charles, Brian & Michael, Blondie, Andy Cameron
16th March 1978
Mar 16, 1978 · 30 min
Peter Powell introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from Suzi Quatro, Dan Hill, Elvis Costello, the Vibrators, Kate Bush, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gerry Raffer
23rd March 1978
Mar 23, 1978 · 30 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Showaddywaddy, Eruption, Blondie, and Donna Summer. Introduced by Dave Lee Tr
30th March 1978
Mar 30, 1978 · 30 min
Kid Jensen introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from Mud, Tina Charles, Richard Myhill, Suzi Quatro, Don Williams, Elvis Costello, Dan Hill, Andy Camero
6th April 1978
Apr 6, 1978 · 30 min
Noel Edmonds introduces the weekly pop chart programme featuring performances from the Boomtown Rats, Squeeze, Hot Chocolate, Brian and Michael, Wings, Sheila B Devotion and Andy G
13th April 1978
Apr 13, 1978 · 29 min
Tony Blackburn presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 April 1978 and featuring Alan Price, Dee D. Jackson, Gene Farrow, Raffaella Carrà, Child, Bonnie Tyler, Johnn
20th April 1978
Apr 20, 1978 · 45 min
Peter Powell introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from Bryan Ferry, Graham Parker and the Rumour, Squeeze, Andrew Gold, Dan Hill, Brian & Michael and Legs & Co.
27th April 1978
Apr 27, 1978 · 45 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Steve Gibbons Band, Foreigner, Chic, and Boney M. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.
4th May 1978
May 4, 1978 · 40 min
David Jensen introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from the Dooleys, Manhattan Transfer, John Paul Young, Ruby Winters, Tonight, Hi-Tension, Darts, Boomtown Rats
11th May 1978
May 11, 1978 · 45 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Thin Lizzy, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and Sham 69
18th May 1978
May 18, 1978 · 40 min
Peter Powell introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from Plastic Bertrand, Guy Marks, Brotherhood of Man, Elkie Brooks, Darts, Boney M, Smokie, X-Ray Spex and danc
25th May 1978
May 25, 1978 · 40 min
Tony Blackburn introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from Blondie, Heatwave, Tavares, Black Sabbath, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Sham 69, Boney M and Cilla Black
8th June 1978
Jun 8, 1978 · 35 min
Noel Edmonds introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Lindisfarne, the Rolling Stones, Goldie, AC/DC, Boney M, Guy Marks, Maxine Nigh
15th June 1978
Jun 15, 1978 · 30 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Rokotto, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Smokie, and The Boomtown Rats. Int
22nd June 1978
Jun 22, 1978 · 30 min
David 'Kid' Jensen introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from Black Sabbath, Heatwave, Showaddywaddy, the Brotherhood of Man, San Jose, Thin Lizzy, Bob Marley and
29th June 1978
Jun 29, 1978 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from J.a.l.n. Band, The Boomtown Rats, Father Abraham & The Smurfs, and Patti Boul
6th July 1978
Jul 6, 1978 · 35 min
Peter Powell introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from the Buzzcocks, Marshall Hain, ELO, Clout, Steel Pulse, City Boy, Justin Hayward and a dance routine by Leg
13th July 1978
Jul 13, 1978 · 40 min
Tony Blackburn introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from the Boomtown Rats, Suzi Quatro, Andrew Gold, Steve Voice, Racey, Renaissance, Voyage and a dance routine
20th July 1978
Jul 20, 1978 · 35 min
David 'Kid' Jensen introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from Sham 69, A Taste of Honey, Justin Hayward, the New Seekers, Raydio, Child and a dance routine by Leg
27th July 1978
Jul 27, 1978 · 35 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Voyage, and Father Abr
3rd August 1978
Aug 3, 1978 · 45 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from City Boy, X-ray Spex, The Who, and Sham 69. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.
10th August 1978
Aug 10, 1978 · 25 min
Peter Powell introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from the Rezillos, Foreigner, Hi-Tension, Raydio, Renaissance, Jilted John and a dance routine by Legs & Co.
17th August 1978
Aug 17, 1978 · 35 min
Noel Edmonds introduces the weekly pop charts featuring performances from the Stranglers, Justin Hayward, Child, Darts, 10cc, the New Seekers and a dance routine by Legs & Co.
24th August 1978
Aug 24, 1978 · 35 min
David 'Kid' Jensen presents the weekly pop chart show with Bilbo, Blondie, Jilted John, the Motors, David Essex, Hi-Tension, the Jam, the Commodores and dance sequences by Legs & C
31st August 1978
Aug 31, 1978 · 30 min
Tony Blackburn presents the weekly pop chart show featuring the Dooleys, Siouxsie and the Banshees, 10cc, Klark Kent, Exile, the Rezillos, Darts, Cliff Richard, the Commodores and
7th September 1978
Sep 7, 1978 · 40 min
Peter Powell presents the weekly pop chart show featuring the Jam, Leo Sayer, Boney M, Sylvester, Manhattan Transfer, Hi-Tension, Hylda Baker & Arthur Mullard, the Commodores and a
14th September 1978
Sep 14, 1978 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Dr. Feelgood, Tina Charles, Exile, and Tom Robinson Band. Introduced by Jimmy
21st September 1978
Sep 21, 1978 · 40 min
Paul Burnett presents the weekly pop chart show featuring the Buzzcocks, Leo Sayer, Stephen Bishop, the Three Degrees, Abba, David Essex, 10cc and a Legs & Co dance sequence.
28th September 1978
Sep 28, 1978 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Lindisfarne, Frankie Miller, The Ramones, and Sugar Cane. Introduced by Dave
5th October 1978
Oct 5, 1978 · 40 min
David 'Kid' Jensen presents the weekly pop chart show featuring Mick Jackson, Dean Friedman, Boney M, Marshall Hain, Sham 69, the Boomtown Rats and a Legs & Co dance sequence.
12th October 1978
Oct 12, 1978 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Olympic Runners, The Jacksons, Jonathan King, and The Bishops. Introduced by
19th October 1978
Oct 19, 1978 · 40 min
Peter Powell presents the weekly pop chart show featuring Showaddywaddy, Boney M, Rolling Stones, Colorado, Buzzcocks, Frankie Miller and the Jam. With dance sequences by Legs and
26th October 1978
Oct 26, 1978 · 40 min
Tony Blackburn introduces the weekly pop chart show featuring Elvis Costello, Public Image, Jonathan King, Boomtown Rats, Dollar, the Jacksons, the Undertones and a Legs & Co dance
2nd November 1978
Nov 2, 1978 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from The Skids, Elton John, Elkie Brooks, and The Three Degrees. Introduced by Dav
9th November 1978
Nov 9, 1978 · 40 min
Mike Read introduces the weekly pop chart show featuring Dandy, Patrick Juvet, the Boomtown Rats, Darts, the Cars, Liquid Gold, Chas & Dave, X-Ray Spex and Legs & Co dance sequence
16th November 1978
Nov 16, 1978 · 40 min
David Jensen presents a weekly look at pop charts featuring the Buzzcocks, Elton John, Showaddywaddy, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Heatwave, Blondie, Dean Friedman, Streetba
23rd November 1978
Nov 23, 1978 · 40 min
Mike Read presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 November 1978 and featuring Racey, Olivia Newton-John, Elkie Brooks, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Sarah Brightman and Ho
30th November 1978
Nov 30, 1978 · 40 min
Peter Powell presents the weekly look at the 1978 pop charts, with the Rezillos, Boney M, Elton John, Heatwave, Leo Sayer, Darts, Buzzcocks, Mankind, Blondie, the Barron Knights, R
7th December 1978
Dec 7, 1978 · 40 min
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Rachel Sweet, Gerard Kenny, Olivia Newton-john, and John Travolta. Introduced
14th December 1978
Dec 14, 1978 · 40 min
Tony Blackburn presents the weekly look at the 1978 pop charts, with Rocky Sharpe & the Replays, Hot Chocolate, the Buzzcocks, Elkie Brooks, Mankind, Chic, Elton John, Boney M and
25th December 1978
Dec 25, 1978 · 60 min
Noel Edmonds presents a special Top of the Pops from 1978, with Darts, Abba, Boney M, Brotherhood of Man, Father Abraham, Bee Gees, Brian and Michael, Brighouse and Rastrick Brass