Top of the Pops: 1985
Season 22 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 21.
- 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 22 Progress Shield
January 3, 1985
Jan 3, 1985 · 40 min
John Peel and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 January 1985. Featuring Smiley Culture, Sal Solo, Paul Young, Tears for Fears, Toy Dolls, Madonn
January 10, 1985
Jan 10, 1985 · 37 min
Mike Read and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Zz Top, Thompson Twins, Bronski Beat, and Council Col
January 17, 1985
Jan 17, 1985 · 39 min
Peter Powell and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 17 January 1985. Featuring The Limit, Prince, Amii Stewart, Russ Abbott, Grandmaster Melle Mel and
January 24, 1985
Jan 24, 1985 · 35 min
Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Ashford & Simpson, James Ingram, Billy Ocean, and
January 31, 1985
Jan 31, 1985 · 29 min
Peter Powell and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 31 January 1985. Featuring Big Sound Authority, Art Of Noise, Bruce Springsteen and Foreigner.
February 7, 1985
Feb 7, 1985 · 39 min
Richard Skinner and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 February 1985. Featuring King, Bryan Adams, Phil Collins, Kirsty MacColl, Howard Jones, Billy
February 14, 1985
Feb 14, 1985 · 34 min
Simon Bates and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 February 1985. Featuring Dead Or Alive, The Colour Field, Killing Joke, The Smiths, and Elaine Pa
February 21, 1985
Feb 21, 1985 · 29 min
Mike Read and Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 February 1985. Featuring Howard Jones, Sharpe and Numan, Don Henley, Bryan Adams and Elaine Paige
February 28, 1985
Feb 28, 1985 · 30 min
Peter Powell and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Prince, Jermaine Jackson, Daryl Hall & John Oates,
March 7, 1985
Mar 7, 1985 · 28 min
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 March 1985 and featuring Shakin' Stevens, Madonna, Jermaine Jackson and Dead or Alive.
March 14, 1985
Mar 14, 1985 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Philip Bailey & Phil Collins, New Edition, Nik Kers
March 21, 1985
Mar 21, 1985 · 30 min
Mike Read and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Third World, Glenn Frey, Billy Bragg, and Loose End
March 28, 1985
Mar 28, 1985 · 30 min
Peter Powell and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Alison Moyet, The Cool Notes, David Grant & Jaki G
April 4, 1985
Apr 4, 1985 · 39 min
Richard Skinner and Simon Bates present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 April 1985. Featuring Glenn Frey, Phyllis Nelson, The Cool Notes, David Grant & Jaki Graham, a
April 11, 1985
Apr 11, 1985 · 31 min
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 April 1985. Featuring Tears for Fears, The Rah Band, Dream Academy, King and Philip Bailey & Phil C
April 25, 1985
Apr 25, 1985 · 28 min
Mike Read and Gary Davies present, first broadcast on 25 April 1985.
May 2, 1985
May 2, 1985 · 30 min
Richard Skinner and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Paul Hardcastle, Vikki, New Model Army, and God
May 9, 1985
May 9, 1985 · 34 min
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 May 1985.
May 16, 1985
May 16, 1985 · 34 min
Peter Powell and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 May 1985. Featuring Kim Wilde, Bryan Ferry, Duran Duran, Jimmy Nail, Debarge, Phyllis Nelson, Pa
May 23, 1985
May 23, 1985 · 34 min
Mike Read and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 May 1985. Featuring Go West, Katrina & The Waves, Marillion, The Power Station, Depeche Mode, Paul
May 30, 1985
May 30, 1985 · 29 min
Janice Long presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 May 1985. Featuring Stephen 'TinTin' Duffy, Animotion, Billy Ocean, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Scritti P
June 6, 1985
Jun 6, 1985 · 29 min
Simon Bates and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first shown on 6 June 1985. Featuring Gary Moore & Phil Lynott, Kool and The Gang, Propaganda, David Bowie, Duran D
June 13, 1985
Jun 13, 1985 · 29 min
Mike Read and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 June 1985. Featuring Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Billy Ocean, Sister Sledge and Marillion.
June 20, 1985
Jun 20, 1985 · 29 min
Janice Long and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 June 1985. Featuring Sting, Fine Young Cannibals, China Crisis and Harold Faltermeyer.
June 27, 1985
Jun 27, 1985 · 29 min
Mike Smith and Peter Powell take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Kool & The Gang, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John & M
July 4, 1985
Jul 4, 1985 · 29 min
Simon Bates and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 July 1985. Featuring Tears for Fears, Simply Red, Dead or Alive, Fine Young Cannibals and The
July 11, 1985
Jul 11, 1985 · 29 min
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 July 1985. Featuring The Conway Brothers, Eurythmics, Opus, Bruce Springsteen, Mai Tai and Steve Ar
July 18, 1985
Jul 18, 1985 · 30 min
Peter Powell and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Steve Arrington, Russ Abbot, Jaki Graham, and Bill
July 25, 1985
Jul 25, 1985 · 29 min
Gary Davies and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 July 1985. Featuring Madonna, Feargal Sharkey, The Cure, Dire Straits and the Eurythmics.
August 1, 1985
Aug 1, 1985 · 30 min
Mike Smith and Mike Read take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Tina Turner, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and Madonna.
August 8, 1985
Aug 8, 1985 · 29 min
Richard Skinner and Simon Bates present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 08 August 1985. Featuring Dire Straits, Princess, Go West, Phil Collins and Amazulu.
August 15, 1985
Aug 15, 1985 · 29 min
Peter Powell and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 August 1985. Featuring UB40 with Chrissie Hynde, Madonna, The Cars, Kate Bush and Billy Idol.
August 22, 1985
Aug 22, 1985 · 29 min
Steve Wright and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 August 1985. Featuring The Cars, Baltimora, Kate Bush, Princess and Madonna.
August 29, 1985
Aug 29, 1985 · 29 min
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 August 1985. Featuring Dan Hartman, D Train, Madness, and The Thompson Twins.
September 5, 1985
Sep 5, 1985 · 30 min
Mike Smith and Peter Powell take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Bryan Ferry, Madness, Marillion, and David Bowie &
September 12, 1985
Sep 12, 1985 · 29 min
Mike Read and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 September 1985. Featuring Amii Stewart, Huey Lewis & The News, Maria Vidal, Marillion, Mai Tai, an
September 19, 1985
Sep 19, 1985 · 29 min
Simon Bates and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 September 1985. Featuring Red Box, Madonna, Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, and David Bowie & Mick
September 26, 1985
Sep 26, 1985 · 29 min
Janice Long and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 September 1985. Featuring Depeche Mode, Billy Idol, Jennifer Rush, The Style Council, Bonnie Tyle
October 3, 1985
Oct 3, 1985 · 29 min
Gary Davies and Paul Jordan present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 October 1985. Featuring Colonel Abrams, Iron Maiden, Cameo, Rene & Angela and Midge Ure.
October 10, 1985
Oct 10, 1985 · 30 min
Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from John Parr, Madonna, Simple Minds, and Jennifer Rus
October 17, 1985
Oct 17, 1985 · 29 min
Peter Powell and Mike Read present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 17 October 1985. Featuring Shakin' Stevens, A-ha, Elton John, Colonel Abrams and Jennifer Rush.
October 24, 1985
Oct 24, 1985 · 29 min
Dixie Peach and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Arcadia, Matt Bianco, King, and Jennifer Rush.
October 31, 1985
Oct 31, 1985 · 29 min
Simon Bates and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 31 October 1985. Featuring Feargal Sharkey, Elton John, King, Jennifer Rush and Shakin' Stevens.
November 7, 1985
Nov 7, 1985 · 29 min
Steve Wright and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 November 1985. Featuring A-ha, Far Corporation, Level 42, UB40, and Jennifer Rush.
November 14, 1985
Nov 14, 1985 · 29 min
Gary Davies and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin, Talking Heads, Dire S
November 21, 1985
Nov 21, 1985 · 29 min
Janice Long and Paul Jordan present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 November 1985. Featuring Madness, Wham, Dee C Lee, Lionel Richie, Doug E Fresh, Feargal Sharkey a
November 28, 1985
Nov 28, 1985 · 29 min
Peter Powell and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 November 1985 and featuring David Grant and Jaki Graham, Whitney Houston, Prefab Sprout, Phil Co
December 5, 1985
Dec 5, 1985 · 30 min
Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Lionel Richie, Marillion, Madonna, and Wham!.
December 12, 1985
Dec 12, 1985 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Janice Long present the programme, first broadcast on 12 December 1985.
December 19, 1985
Dec 19, 1985 · 30 min
Paul Jordan and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Band Aid, Level 42, Elton John, and Whitney Houston
Christmas Special 1985
Dec 25, 1985 · 60 min
Gary Davies, Janice Long, Dixie Peach, John Peel and Steve Wright present the hits of 1985.