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Top of the Pops 'set for comeback' on Friday nights with Fearne Cotton and Dermot O'Leary as hosts

BBC execs are 'keen' for the iconic programme's return

Neela Debnath
Sunday 19 April 2015 12:17 EDT
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The new-look Top of the Pops could see Fearne Cotton returns as a host alongside Dermot O'Leary
The new-look Top of the Pops could see Fearne Cotton returns as a host alongside Dermot O'Leary (Getty Images)

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Music chart show Top of the Pops is reportedly set to be returning to our screens on Friday nights.

BBC executives are believed to be in discussing a format and new look for the classic show, according to the Mirror.

Sources said that they the broadcaster was “keen” to bring the show back and put it in a Friday night slot that would work well with BBC Radio 1’s chart show, which has recently moved from Sundays to Fridays.

“Top of the Pops is a great brand name and the BBC are keen to use it. Some at the highest level are massive supporters of the plan and have given the go-ahead,” the source said.

“The new Friday night charts could be the perfect tie-in – with Top of the Pops a brilliant start to the weekend.

Former X Factor host Dermot O’Leary and Fearne Cotton are slated to be hosting the new-look programme. O'Leary stepped down from Simon Cowell's ITV reality TV show this year, while Cotton left Radio 1 after a decade back in February.

Cotton is a veteran host of Top of the Pops and was one of the show’s last presenters before it was taken off the air.

Dermot O'Leary stepped down as X Factor host this year, after a decade on the show (Getty Images)
Dermot O'Leary stepped down as X Factor host this year, after a decade on the show (Getty Images) (Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Top of the Pops ran from 1964 to 2006 before it was taken off the air due to the rise of downloads and online streaming but the BBC continued to broadcast a Christmas special each year.

The show has also been marred with controversy due to its links to Jimmy Savile, who was a long-standing presenter on the programme.

A spokesperson for the BBC told The Independent, “There are no current plans to bring back Top Of The Pops, however Radio 1 will continue to be the home of the Official Chart, with a new CBBC Chart programme starting in May.”

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