Top of the Pops: 1989
Season 26 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 25.
- 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 26 Progress Shield
January 5, 1989
Jan 5, 1989 · 30 min
Mark Goodier and Andy Crane present the pop chart programme, first broadcast 5 January 1989 and featuring Erasure, Kim Wilde, a-ha, Duran Duran, Boy Meets Girl, Gloria Estefan and
January 12, 1989
Jan 12, 1989 · 29 min
Sybil Ruscoe and Simon Mayo present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 January 1989 and featuring Milli Vanilli, Duran Duran, Roachford, Roy Orbison and Cookie Crew.
January 19, 1989
Jan 19, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes and Richard Skinner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 January 1989 and featuring Roachford, Holly Johnson and Fine Young Cannibals.
January 26, 1989
Jan 26, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies and Anthea Turner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 January 1989 and featuring Then Jerico, Adeva, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, Mica Paris and Will Do
February 2, 1989
Feb 2, 1989 · 29 min
Simon Mayo and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 February 1989 and featuring Holly Johnson, Roy Orbison, Robert Howard and Kym Mazelle, Sheena East
February 9, 1989
Feb 9, 1989 · 29 min
Mike Read and Sybil Ruscoe present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 February 1989 and featuring Samantha Fox, Rick Astley, Yazz, Hue and Cry, Def Leppard, Poison, Texa
February 16, 1989
Feb 16, 1989 · 30 min
Mark Goodier and Andy Crane present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 February 1989 and featuring Def Leppard, Gloria Estefan, Texas, Sam Brown and The Style Council.
February 23, 1989
Feb 23, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes and Susie Mathis present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 February 1989 and featuring S-Express, Dusty Springfield, Michael Ball and Simple Minds.
March 2, 1989
Mar 2, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies and Anthea Turner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 March 1989 and featuring Living in a Box, Sam Brown, Jason Donovan, Tyree ft Kool Rock Steady, D
March 9, 1989
Mar 9, 1989 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell and Lenny Henry present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 March 1989 and featuring The Reynolds Girls, Dusty Springfield, Womack & Womack, Deacon Blue, P
March 16, 1989
Mar 16, 1989 · 29 min
Simon Mayo, Sybil Ruscoe and Rod McKenzie present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 March 1989 and featuring New Order, Gloria Estefan, Chanelle, Fuzzbox, Madonna, Sou
March 23, 1989
Mar 23, 1989 · 29 min
Mark Goodier and Andy Crane present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 March 1989 and featuring The Reynolds Girls, Alyson Williams, Donna Summer, Coldcut ft Lisa Stans
March 30, 1989
Mar 30, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies and Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 March 1989 and featuring Pat and Mick, Bangles, Roachford, Brother Beyond, Paul Simpson ft Adev
April 6, 1989
Apr 6, 1989 · 29 min
Simon Mayo and Anthea Turner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 April 1989 and featuring Brother Beyond, Kon Kan, Holly Johnson, Paula Abdul, Coldcut ft Lisa Sta
April 13, 1989
Apr 13, 1989 · 29 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 April 1989 and featuring Cookie Crew with Edwin Starr, Ten City, T'Pau, INXS, Fine Young Cannibals, U2 and BB K
April 20, 1989
Apr 20, 1989 · 29 min
Nicky Campbell and Sybil Ruscoe present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 April 1989 and featuring Transvision Vamp, Inner City, Holly Johnson, Metallica, Midnight Oil
April 27, 1989
Apr 27, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 27 April 1989 and featuring London Boys, Natalie Cole, De La Soul, Fine Young Cannibals, Morrissey, The Beatmasters
May 4, 1989
May 4, 1989 · 29 min
Andy Crane and Jenny Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 May 1989 and featuring Edelweiss, Midnight Oil, Debbie Gibson, Bon Jovi, Roxette, Kylie Minogue, P
May 11, 1989
May 11, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 May 1989 and featuring Swing Out Sister, Chaka Khan, Yazz, Queen, Hue and Cry, Natalie Cole, Stevie Nicks, Lon
May 18, 1989
May 18, 1989 · 29 min
Anthea Turner and Mark Goodier present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 May 1989 and featuring Shakin' Stevens, Deacon Blue and Neneh Cherry.
May 25, 1989
May 25, 1989 · 29 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 May 1989 and featuring Lynne Hamilton, Donna Summer and Edelweiss.
June 1, 1989
Jun 1, 1989 · 29 min
Anthea Turner and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 1 June 1989 and featuring Sinitta, Fuzzbox and Neneh Cherry.
June 8, 1989
Jun 8, 1989 · 29 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 June 1989 and featuring The Beautiful South, Guns N' Roses and Jason Donovan.
June 15, 1989
Jun 15, 1989 · 29 min
Mark Goodier and Simon Parkin present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 June 1989 and featuring Fuzzbox, Sinitta and Donna Allen.
June 22, 1989
Jun 22, 1989 · 29 min
Simon Mayo and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 June 1989 and featuring Living in a Box, The Beautiful South and Bangles.
June 29, 1989
Jun 29, 1989 · 29 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 June 1989 and featuring Holly Johnson, London Boys and Double Trouble with Rebel MC.
July 6, 1989
Jul 6, 1989 · 29 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 July 1989 and featuring Sonia, Monie Love and The Beautiful South.
July 13, 1989
Jul 13, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes and Jackie Brambles present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 July 1989 and featuring Waterfront, Danny Wilson and Gloria Estefan.
July 20, 1989
Jul 20, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 July 1989 and featuring Sonia, London Boys and Monie Love.
July 27, 1989
Jul 27, 1989 · 29 min
Mark Goodier and Simon Parkin present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 27 July 1989 and featuring Bros, Simple Minds and Kirsty MacColl.
August 3, 1989
Aug 3, 1989 · 29 min
Steve Wright and Jenny Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 August 1989 and featuring Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney and Gun.
August 10, 1989
Aug 10, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes and Sybil Ruscoe present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 10 August 1989 and featuring Liza Minnelli, Aswad and Big Fun.
August 17, 1989
Aug 17, 1989 · 29 min
Nicky Campbell and Anthea Turner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 17 August 1989 and featuring Neneh Cherry, Martika and Fuzzbox.
August 24, 1989
Aug 24, 1989 · 29 min
Mark Goodier and Jakki Brambles present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 24 August 1989 and featuring Then Jerico, Cliff Richard and Bon Jovi.
August 31, 1989
Aug 31, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 31 August 1989 and featuring Damian, Eurythmics and Big Fun.
September 7, 1989
Sep 7, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 September 1989 and featuring Marillion, Alyson Williams and Jason Donovan.
September 14, 1989
Sep 14, 1989 · 29 min
Andy Crane and Simon Mayo present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 September 1989 and featuring Tina Turner, Black Box and Damian.
September 21, 1989
Sep 21, 1989 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 September 1989 and featuring S'Express, London Boys and The Wonder Stuff.
September 28, 1989
Sep 28, 1989 · 29 min
Sybil Ruscoe and Jenny Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 September 1989 and featuring Wet Wet Wet, The Beautiful South and Gloria Estefan.
October 5, 1989
Oct 5, 1989 · 29 min
Steve Wright and Jakki Brambles present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 October 1989 and featuring Sonia, Curiosity Killed the Cat and Black Box.
October 12, 1989
Oct 12, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 October 1989 and featuring Sinitta, Cliff Richard and Living in a Box.
October 19, 1989
Oct 19, 1989 · 29 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 October 1989 and featuring Martika, Sybil and Deborah Harry.
October 26, 1989
Oct 26, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 October 1989 and featuring Chris Rea, Adeva and Living in a Box.
November 2, 1989
Nov 2, 1989 · 29 min
Anthea Turner and Andy Crane present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 November 1989 and featuring Deborah Harry, Phil Collins and Martika.
November 9, 1989
Nov 9, 1989 · 29 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 November 1989 and featuring Janet Jackson, Electribe 101 and Lisa Stansfield.
November 16, 1989
Nov 16, 1989 · 29 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 November 1989 and featuring 808 State, Lisa Stansfield and Inner City.
November 23, 1989
Nov 23, 1989 · 29 min
Jakki Brambles and Jenny Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 November 1989 and featuring Big Fun, Fine Young Cannibals and The Stone Roses.
November 30, 1989
Nov 30, 1989 · 29 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 November 1989 and featuring 808 State, Tina Turner and Kaoma.
December 7, 1989
Dec 7, 1989 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 December 1989 and featuring Jason Donovan, Big Fun and Sydney Youngblood.
December 14, 1989
Dec 14, 1989 · 29 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 December 1989 and featuring Rob'n'Raz, Van Morrison and Cliff Richard.
December 21, 1989
Dec 21, 1989 · 29 min
Bruno Brookes and Anthea Turner present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 December 1989 and featuring Sonia, Bros and Band Aid II.
Christmas Show 1989
Dec 25, 1989 · 59 min
Jakki Brambles, Bruno Brookes and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1989 and featuring Bros, The Beautiful South and Jason Donovan.