Top of the Pops: 1990
Season 27 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 26.
- 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 27 Progress Shield
January 4, 1990
Jan 4, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 January 1990 and featuring The Quireboys, Sonia and Latino Rave.
January 11, 1990
Jan 11, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 January 1990 and featuring Deacon Blue, New Kids on the Block and The Mission.
January 18, 1990
Jan 18, 1990 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 January 1990 and featuring Halo James, The Quireboys and Martika.
January 26, 1990
Jan 26, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo and Jakki Brambles present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 January 1990 and featuring Phil Collins, Sinead O'Connor and Yell!
February 2, 1990
Feb 2, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 February 1990 and featuring Sybil, Sinead O'Connor and The House of Love.
February 8, 1990
Feb 8, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 February 1990 and featuring Phil Collins, The Beloved and Beats International.
February 15, 1990
Feb 15, 1990 · 30 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 February 1990 and featuring Sinead O'Connor, The Wedding Present and Black Box.
February 22, 1990
Feb 22, 1990 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 February 1990 and featuring Tina Turner, Beats International and Adam Ant.
March 1, 1990
Mar 1, 1990 · 30 min
Jakki Brambles presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 1 March 1990 and featuring Shakin Stevens, Electribe 101 and Michael Bolton.
March 8, 1990
Mar 8, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 March 1990 and featuring Bros, Guru Josh and Marc Almond.
March 15, 1990
Mar 15, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 March 1990 and featuring Inspiral Carpets, Primal Scream and Candy Flip.
March 22, 1990
Mar 22, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 March 1990 and featuring Orbital, Snap! and Big Fun.
March 29, 1990
Mar 29, 1990 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 March 1990 and featuring Bizz Nizz, Candy Flip and Jam Tronik.
April 5, 1990
Apr 5, 1990 · 30 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 April 1990 and featuring Jason Donovan, They Might Be Giants and Happy Mondays.
April 12, 1990
Apr 12, 1990 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 April 1990 and featuring The Cure, Bizz Nizz and Jesus Jones.
April 19, 1990
Apr 19, 1990 · 30 min
Jakki Brambles presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 April 1990 and featuring Sonia, Faith No More and Adamski.
April 26, 1990
Apr 26, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 April 1990 and featuring Tongue 'n' Cheek, Jesus Jones and Unique 3.
May 3, 1990
May 3, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 May 1990 and featuring Sinitta, Morrissey and BBG.
May 10, 1990
May 10, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 10 May 1990 and featuring Kylie Minogue, Adamski and Beats International.
May 18, 1990
May 18, 1990 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 May 1990 and featuring Hothouse Flowers, The Pasadenas and Paul Young.
May 24, 1990
May 24, 1990 · 30 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 24 May 1990 and featuring Beats International, En Vogue and The B-52s.
May 31, 1990
May 31, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 31 May 1990 and featuring Black Box, Sam Brown and Adamski.
June 7, 1990
Jun 7, 1990 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 June 1990 and featuring Pop Will Eat Itself, Don Pablo's Animals and Elton John.
June 14, 1990
Jun 14, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 June 1990 and featuring Maureen, Guru Josh and Maxi Priest.
June 22, 1990
Jun 22, 1990 · 30 min
Jakki Brambles presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 June 1990 and featuring Magnum, Yazz and Elton John.
June 28, 1990
Jun 28, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 June 1990 and featuring Bob Geldof, Elton John and Maxi Priest.
July 5, 1990
Jul 5, 1990 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 July 1990 and including performances by Inspiral Carpets, Double Trouble and Massivo featuring Tracy.
July 12, 1990
Jul 12, 1990 · 30 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 12 July 1990 and featuring Elton John, The Stone Roses and Gun.
July 19, 1990
Jul 19, 1990 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 July 1990 and featuring Paul Young, Inspiral Carpets and Dream Warriors.
July 26, 1990
Jul 26, 1990 · 30 min
Jakki Brambles presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 July 1990 and featuring Blue Pearl, The Soup Dragons and Paula Abdul.
August 2, 1990
Aug 2, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 August 1990 and featuring Dream Warriors, Duran Duran and Prince.
August 9, 1990
Aug 9, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 August 1990 and featuring Hothouse Flowers, Bombalurina and Tricky Disco.
August 16, 1990
Aug 16, 1990 · 30 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 August 1990 and featuring Go West, The KLF and Betty Boo.
August 23, 1990
Aug 23, 1990 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 August 1990 and featuring The Human League, Tina Turner and Cliff Richard.
August 30, 1990
Aug 30, 1990 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 August 1990 and featuring Aswad, Sonia and Betty Boo.
September 6, 1990
Sep 6, 1990 · 30 min
Jakki Brambles presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 September 1990 and featuring Adamski, Mariah Carey and The Farm.
September 13, 1990
Sep 13, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 September 1990 and featuring Sonia, Maria McKee and INXS.
September 20, 1990
Sep 20, 1990 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 September 1990 and featuring The Farm, The Charlatans and Snap!
September 27, 1990
Sep 27, 1990 · 30 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 27 September 1990 and featuring The Wedding Present, Maria McKee and Bass-O-Matic.
October 4, 1990
Oct 4, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 October 1990 and featuring Pet Shop Boys, Maria McKee and Technotronic.
October 11, 1990
Oct 11, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 October 1990 and featuring The Chimes, The Sisters of Mercy and Neneh Cherry.
October 18, 1990
Oct 18, 1990 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 October 1990 and featuring a-ha, Happy Mondays and Innocence.
October 25, 1990
Oct 25, 1990 · 30 min
Jakki Brambles presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 October 1990 and featuring Belinda Carlisle, Jason Donovan and The Beautiful South.
November 1, 1990
Nov 1, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 1 November 1990 and featuring Black Box, Kim Appleby and Kylie Minogue.
November 8, 1990
Nov 8, 1990 · 30 min
Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 November 1990 and featuring Jason Donovan, EMF and Jimmy Somerville.
November 15, 1990
Nov 15, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 November 1990 and featuring Black Box, Inspiral Carpets and Caron Wheeler.
November 22, 1990
Nov 22, 1990 · 30 min
Anthea Turner presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 November 1990 and featuring EMF, The Proclaimers and Julee Cruise.
November 29, 1990
Nov 29, 1990 · 30 min
Nicky Campbell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 November 1990 and featuring Dream Warriors, Chris Isaak and Pet Shop Boys
December 6, 1990
Dec 6, 1990 · 30 min
Mark Goodier presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 December 1990 and featuring The Farm, Cliff Richard and Vanilla Ice.
December 13, 1990
Dec 13, 1990 · 30 min
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 December 1990 and featuring Shakin' Stevens, Malandra Burrows and Seal.
December 20, 1990
Dec 20, 1990 · 30 min
Bruno Brookes presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 December 1990 and featuring Snap!, Cliff Richard and The Carpenters.
Christmas Special 1990
Dec 25, 1990 · 57 min
Mark Goodier and Anthea Turner present a Top of the Pops Christmas Day special, including a review of the hits that topped the charts in 1990 and featuring performances by The Beau