Top of the Pops: 1983
Season 20 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 19.
- 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 20 Progress Shield
Episode 1
Jan 6, 1983 · 40 min
Mike Smith & Tommy Vance take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Phil Collins, Bucks Fizz, Wah!, and The Stranglers.
Episode 2
Jan 13, 1983 · 35 min
John Peel and David Jensen present the weekly look at the pop charts, first broadcast on 13 January 1983. Featuring Incantation, Men at Work, Sharon Redd, Keith Harris and Orville,
Episode 3
Jan 20, 1983 · 35 min
Janice Long and Gary Davies present the weekly look at the pop charts, first broadcast on 20 January 1983. Featuring appearances from Kajagoogoo, Joe Jackson, Echo and the Bunnymen
Episode 4
Jan 27, 1983 · 40 min
Simon Bates and Richard Skinner present the weekly look at the pop charts, first broadcast on 27 January 1983. Features Level 42, The Belle Stars, Central Line, The Beatles, China
Episode 5
Feb 3, 1983 · 40 min
John Peel and David Jensen introduce the latest hits from the pop charts, first broadcast on 3 February 1983. Featuring Haysi Fantayzee, Indeep, Tears For Fears, U2 and Men at Work
Episode 6
Feb 10, 1983 · 40 min
Janice Long and Pat Sharp present the weekly look at the pop charts, first broadcast on 10 February 1983. Featuring The Belle Stars, Toto, Level 42, Michael Jackson, Central Line,
Episode 7
Feb 17, 1983 · 25 min
Peter Powell and Gary Davies present the weekly chart show, first broadcast on 17 February 1983. Featuring Wham, Tears for Fears, Icehouse, Musical Youth, Madness, Haysi Fantayzee,
Episode 8
Feb 24, 1983 · 35 min
Andy Peebles and Dave Lee Travis take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Michael Jackson, Toto, Eurythmics, and Kajago
Episode 9
Mar 3, 1983 · 35 min
John Peel and David Jensen present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 March 1983 and featuring OMD, Bananarama, Patti Austin with James Ingram, and Michael Jackson.
Episode 10
Mar 10, 1983 · 30 min
Mike Smith and Tommy Vance take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Eurythmics, Spandau Ballet, David Joseph, and Thomp
Episode 11
Mar 17, 1983 · 30 min
Tony Blackburn and Gary Davies present the weekly chart show, first broadcast on 17 March 1983. Featuring Bananarama, The Style Council, Ultravox, Joan Armatrading, Bonnie Tyler an
Episode 12
Mar 23, 1983 · 35 min
With JoBoxers, David Bowie, Orange Juice, Altered John Peel and David Jensen present the weekly look at the pop charts, first broadcast on 23 March 1983. Featuring JoBoxers, David
Episode 13
Mar 31, 1983 · 32 min
Steve Wright and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 31 March 1983. Featuring New Order, The Style Council, Mari Wilson, U2, Kajagoogoo, Tracey Ullm
Episode 14
Apr 7, 1983 · 29 min
Simon Bates and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 April 1983 and featuring Dexys Midnight Runners, Culture Club, Joboxers, Twisted Sister, Michael
Episode 15
Apr 14, 1983 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Andy Peebles present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 April 1983. Featuring Sweet Dreams, Eurythmics, Bauhaus, Kissing the Pink, Su
Episode 16
Apr 21, 1983 · 35 min
Richard Skinner and Janice Long present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 April 1983. Featuring Culture Club, The Human League, FR David, Heaven 17,
Episode 17
Apr 28, 1983 · 35 min
John Peel and David Jensen present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 April 1983. Featuring Galaxy, The Creatures, Tears for Fears, Kissing the Pink
Episode 18
May 5, 1983 · 50 min
Britain's longest running pop music show celebrates its 1,000th edition. Since its first transmission on 1st January 1964, Top of the Pops has provided a weekly programme reflectin
Episode 19
May 12, 1983 · 35 min
Mike Read and Tommy Vance present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 May 1983. Featuring Modern Romance, Hall & Oates, Hot Chocolate, Galaxy, The Cre
Episode 20
May 19, 1983 · 35 min
Simon Bates and Gary Davies present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 May 1983. Featuring D Train, New Edition, David Grant, Blancmange, The Beat an
Episode 21
May 26, 1983 · 35 min
Peter Powell and Pat Sharp present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 May 1983. Featuring Big Country, Hot Chocolate, The Police, New Edition and For
Episode 22
Jun 2, 1983 · 35 min
Jimmy Savile and Tony Blackburn take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Elton John, The Tubes, Irene Cara, and Yazoo.
Episode 23
Jun 8, 1983 · 40 min
John Peel and David Jensen present the pop chart show, first broadcast on 8 June 1983. Studio guests include Twisted Sister, The Imposter, Shakatak, Big Country and The Police.
Episode 24
Jun 16, 1983 · 35 min
Mike Read and Dave Lee Travis take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Kajagoogoo, Shalamar, The Truth, and Michael Jac
Episode 25
Jun 23, 1983 · 40 min
Simon Bates and Peter Powell introduce the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 June 1983. Featuring Freeez, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Shakatak, Mike Oldfield, H20 and The Pol
Episode 26
Jun 30, 1983 · 35 min
Richard Skinner and Tommy Vance present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 June 1983. Featuring Shalamar, Nick Heyward, Irene Cara, Paul Young, Tom Robinson, Bucks Fizz
Episode 27
Jul 7, 1983 · 40 min
John Peel and David Jensen present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 July 1983. Featuring Roman Holliday, Freeez, The Cure, Funk Masters and Jimmy the Hoover.
Episode 28
Jul 14, 1983 · 32 min
Peter Powell and Andy Peebles present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 July 1983. Featuring Paul Young, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Heaven 17
Episode 29
Jul 21, 1983 · 35 min
Jimmy Savile and Pat Sharp take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Eurythmics, Roman Holliday, Freeez, and The Cure.
Episode 30
Jul 28, 1983 · 35 min
Mike Read and Janice Long present another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 July 1983. Featuring KC and the Sunshine Band, Elvis Costello and the Attraction
Episode 31
Aug 4, 1983 · 35 min
John Peel and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from The Police, Galaxy Featuring Phil Fearon, Tracie, and
Episode 32
Aug 11, 1983 · 35 min
Another edition of the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 August 1983. Presented by Richard Skinner and Tommy Vance, featuring tracks by David Grant, Level 42 and Depeche M
Episode 33
Aug 18, 1983 · 35 min
Dave Lee Travis and Gary Davies take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Wham!, Elton John, Galaxy Featuring Phil Fearo
Episode 34
Aug 25, 1983 · 35 min
Mike Smith and Simon Bates take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Rod Stewart, The Police, Michael Sembello, and Ub40
Episode 35
Sep 1, 1983 · 35 min
John Peel and David Jensen present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 1 September 1983. Featuring Modern Romance, Madness, Genesis, Big Country, Stray Cats and UB40.
Episode 36
Sep 8, 1983 · 35 min
Peter Powell and Andy Peebles present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 September 1983. Featuring Heaven 17, JoBoxers, Ryan Paris, Paul Young, Status Quo, Peabo Bryson
Episode 37
Sep 15, 1983 · 35 min
Jimmy Savile and Janice Long take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Culture Club, David Essex, The Truth, and Modern
Episode 38
Sep 22, 1983 · 42 min
Simon Bates and Mike Read present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 September 1983. With Toyah Willcox, David Bowie, Nick Heyward, The Alarm, Howard Jones and Hot Choc
Episode 39
Sep 29, 1983 · 40 min
Dave Lee Travis and Tommy Vance take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from David Essex, George Benson, Kajagoogoo, and Ai
Episode 40
Oct 6, 1983 · 40 min
David Jensen and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 October 1983. Featuring Freeez, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, David Grant, The Alarm, New Order and Cu
Episode 41
Oct 13, 1983 · 40 min
Peter Powell and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 October 1983. Featuring Roman Holliday, Tracey Ullman, Siouxsie & The Banshees, George Benso
Episode 42
Oct 20, 1983 · 40 min
Andy Peebles and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 October 1983. Featuring David Grant, Rocksteady Crew, Howard Jones, Freeez, Elton John, Depeche
Episode 43
Oct 27, 1983 · 35 min
With ABC, Donna Summer, Elton John, Status Quo, Madness, Shakin' Stevens and Billy Joel.
Episode 44
Nov 3, 1983 · 40 min
Peter Powell and Mike Read present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 November 1983 and featuring ABC, Donna Summer, Elton John, Status Quo, Madness, Shakin' Stevens and
Episode 45
Nov 10, 1983 · 35 min
David Jensen and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 10 November 1983. Features Musical Youth, Adam Ant, Eurythmics, Limahl, The Cure and Billy Joel.
Episode 46
Nov 17, 1983 · 35 min
Jimmy Savile and Gary Davies take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Shakin' Stevens, Paul Mccartney & Michael Jackson
Episode 47
Nov 24, 1983 · 35 min
Simon Bates and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 24 November 1983. Featuring Paul Young, Tina Turner, The Smiths, Marilyn, Simple Minds, The Styl
Episode 48
Dec 1, 1983 · 35 min
Dave Lee Travis and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, Genesis, Cliff R
Episode 49
Dec 8, 1983 · 35 min
Mike Read and Tommy Vance present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 December 1983. Featuring Thompson Twins, Billy Joel, Tears for Fears, Howard Jones, Culture Club and
Episode 50
Dec 15, 1983 · 30 min
Simon Bates and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 December 1983. Featuring Status Quo, UB40, Slade, The Pretenders, Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, an
Episode 51
Dec 22, 1983 · 35 min
John Peel and David Jensen present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 December 1983. Artists include Slade, Culture Club, Paul McCartney, Dennis Waterman & George Cole,
Christmas 1983 - Part 1
Dec 25, 1983 · 60 min
The Radio 1 DJs present some of the best-selling tracks of 1983, in this special Christmas Day edition. Including performances from Michael Jackson, Men At Work, Eurythmics, and Ad
Christmas 1983 - Part 2
Dec 29, 1983 · 55 min
The Radio 1 DJs present some of the best-selling tracks of 1983, in this special edition. Including performances from Mike Oldfield, Tracey Ullman, Michael Sembello, and Phil Colli