Top of the Pops: 1986
Season 23 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 22.
- 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 23 Progress Shield
January 2, 1986
Jan 2, 1986 · 30 min
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 January 1986. Featuring A-Ha, Paul McCartney, Level 42, Bronski Beat, Sophia George, Shakin' Stevens
January 9, 1986
Jan 9, 1986 · 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 Full Force, Mr Mister, King, and Pet Shop Boys.
January 16, 1986
Jan 16, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Read and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 January 1986 and featuring Fine Young Cannibals, Dire Straits, a-ha, Mr. Mister, Pet Shop Boys, and
January 23, 1986
Jan 23, 1986 · 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 Eurythmics, Madonna, Sarah Brightman & Steve Harley
January 30, 1986
Jan 30, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 January 1986. Featuring Billy Ocean, Madonna, Talk Talk, Grace Jones, Fine Young Cannibals and A-
February 6, 1986
Feb 6, 1986 · 30 min
Simon Bates and Paul Jordan present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 February 1986. Featuring The Damned, Five Star, Ozzy Osbourne and Double.
February 13, 1986
Feb 13, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 February 1986 and featuring Belouis Some, Whitney Houston, Su Pollard, Shakin' Stevens and Billy
February 20, 1986
Feb 20, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long and Mike Read present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 February 1986. Featuring Paul Hardcastle, Diana Ross, Depeche Mode, Survivor, Public Image Limited,
February 27, 1986
Feb 27, 1986 · 29 min
Paul Jordan and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 27 February 1986. Featuring Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Talking Heads, Audrey Hall, Alexander O'Neal, Kate
March 6, 1986
Mar 6, 1986 · 29 min
Gary Davies and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 March 1986. Featuring Mike and the Mechanics, Kate Bush, Frank Sinatra, Tavares, Whistle, Diana Ro
March 13, 1986
Mar 13, 1986 · 29 min
Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Bangles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and Cult
March 20, 1986
Mar 20, 1986 · 29 min
Janice Long and Simon Bates present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 March 1986 and featuring Jim Diamond, Pet Shop Boys, Cliff Richard and The Young Ones, The Real T
March 27, 1986
Mar 27, 1986 · 29 min
Mike Smith and Bruno Brookes take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Atlantic Starr, Bronski Beat, Falco, and The Art
April 3, 1986
Apr 3, 1986 · 29 min
Janice Long and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 April 1986. Featuring Big Audio Dynamite, George Michael, A-Ha, The Real Thing, Cliff Richard and th
April 10, 1986
Apr 10, 1986 · 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 The Art Of Noise & Duane Eddy, Janet Jackson, Simp
April 17, 1986
Apr 17, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 17 April 1986. Featuring Big Country, Falco, A-ha, Janet Jackson, It's Immaterial, George Michael and Whitney Houst
April 24, 1986
Apr 24, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 24 April 1986. Featuring The S.O.S Band, The Grange Hill Cast, Aurra, George Michael, Madonna and Qu
May 1, 1986
May 1, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Janet Jackson, Madonna, Hear 'n' Aid, and Joyce Sims.
May 8, 1986
May 8, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 08 May 1986. Featuring Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald, Spitting Image, Billy Ocean, Falco, and Wh
May 15, 1986
May 15, 1986 · 30 min
Simon Bates and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Level 42, Doctor & The Medics, The B-52's, and Spit
May 22, 1986
May 22, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 May 1986. Featuring Jaki Graham, Billy Ocean, Simply Red, Spitting Image, The B52's, Patti La Be
May 29, 1986
May 29, 1986 · 30 min
John Peel and Janice Long present this pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 May 1986. Featuring Doctor and the Medics, Robert Palmer, The Real Thing, Tears for Fears, Pete Wy
June 5, 1986
Jun 5, 1986 · 30 min
Pop chart programme. Simon Bates and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 June 1986. Featuring Cashflow, Simply Red, Pet Shop Boys, Doctor and the Medi
June 11, 1986
Jun 11, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Falco, Bucks Fizz, A-ha, and Robert Palmer.
June 19, 1986
Jun 19, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 June 1986. Featuring Bucks Fizz, Nu Shooz, Amazulu, A-Ha, The Housemartins, Doctor & The Medics, Miami Sound Mac
June 26, 1986
Jun 26, 1986 · 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 David Bowie, Claire & Friends, Owen Paul, and Wham
July 3, 1986
Jul 3, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 July 1986. Featuring The Housemartins, Samantha Fox, Claire & Friends, Sly Fox, Gary Numan, Bucks Fizz and Wham!
July 10, 1986
Jul 10, 1986 · 30 min
Simon Bates and Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 10 July 1986. Featuring Midnight Star, The Real Roxanne, Owen Paul, Rod Stewart, Bananarama and Ma
July 17, 1986
Jul 17, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Ub40, Cock Robin, Hollywood Beyond, and Madonna.
July 23, 1986
Jul 23, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 July 1986. Featuring Hollywood Beyond, Sinitta, Audrey Hall, Robert Palmer, Haywoode and Madonna
July 31, 1986
Jul 31, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long and Mike Read present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 31 July 1986. Featuring Spandau Ballet, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Five Star, Stan Ridgway and Chris de
August 7, 1986
Aug 7, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Boris Gardiner, The Smiths, Phil Fearon, and Sinitta.
August 14, 1986
Aug 14, 1986 · 30 min
Simon Bates presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 August 1986. Featuring It Bites, Lionel Richie, Anita Dobson, Phil Fearon and Chris De Burgh.
August 21, 1986
Aug 21, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 August 1986. Featuring Depeche Mode, Prince and The Revolution, Bruce Hornsby and The Range, Mo
August 28, 1986
Aug 28, 1986 · 30 min
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 August 1986. Featuring Jermaine Stewart, Peter Cetera, Jaki Graham, Human League, Boris Gardiner an
September 4, 1986
Sep 4, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 September 1986. Featuring The Communards, MC Miker G & DJ Sven, Bruce Hornsby and The Range, Bon Jovi, Farley 'Ja
September 11, 1986
Sep 11, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Run Dmc, The Psychedelic Furs, Eurythmics, and Jermaine Stewart.
September 18, 1986
Sep 18, 1986 · 30 min
Peter Powell and Stevie Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 September 1986. Featuring Eurythmics, Michael McDonald, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Cam
September 25, 1986
Sep 25, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 September 1986. Featuring Amazulu, Huey Lewis and the News, Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk, Genesis, Loose Ends, The C
October 2, 1986
Oct 2, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Five Star, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Pet Shop Boys.
October 9, 1986
Oct 9, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies and Simon Mayo present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 October 1986. Featuring The Bangles, Nick Berry, Julian Cope, Paul Young, Howard Jones, Madonna and
October 16, 1986
Oct 16, 1986 · 30 min
Simon Bates and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme. First broadcast on 16 October 1986, this edition features Pet Shop Boys, Cliff Richard and Sarah Brightman, Boris Gard
October 23, 1986
Oct 23, 1986 · 29 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme. First broadcast on 23 October 1986, this edition features The Pretenders, Midnight Star, Housemartins, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, Nick
October 30, 1986
Oct 30, 1986 · 31 min
Janice Long presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 October 1986. Featuring Mel and Kim, Berlin, Catherine Stock, Gwen Guthrie, Bon Jovi, Kim Wilde, Nick Berry and
November 6, 1986
Nov 6, 1986 · 31 min
Peter Powell and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 November 1986 and featuring Bon Jovi, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, Red Box, Swing Out Sister, Du
November 13, 1986
Nov 13, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Shakin' Stevens, Spandau Ballet, Europe, and Berlin.
November 20, 1986
Nov 20, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 November 1986, featuring Europe, Simple Minds, Swing Out Sister, Erasure, Bon Jovi, Berlin and Red
November 27, 1986
Nov 27, 1986 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 27 November 1986, featuring performances by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Debbie Harry, Five Star, Nick Kamen, Berlin
December 4, 1986
Dec 4, 1986 · 30 min
Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Oran 'juice' Jones, Genesis, The Housemartins, and Gregory Abbott.
December 11, 1986
Dec 11, 1986 · 30 min
Janice Long and Steve Wright presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 December 1986, featuring performances by The Housemartins, Alison Moyet, Dexys Midnight Runners
December 18, 1986
Dec 18, 1986
Mike Smith presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 December 1986, featuring performances by Jackie Wilson, A-ha, Eurythmics, and The Housemartins.
December 25, 1986
Dec 25, 1986 · 56 min
Peter Powell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1986, featuring performances by Billy Ocean, The Communards, a-ha, Diana Ross and George Michael.