The 2000s Episode Guide

A New Century, A Changing Landscape

As the 21st century began, Chris Cowey continued in his role as executive producer of Top of the Pops (TOTP). However, signs of wear were becoming evident at Elstree Studios. The minimalist MDF set design had aged poorly, and by mid-2001, the programme temporarily relocated to Riverside Studios—previously home to TFI Friday—due to space being reallocated for the expansion of EastEnders.

During this transition, Jayne Middlemiss departed the show and was briefly succeeded by Josie D’Arby, who transitioned from spin-off programme TOTP@Play and quickly became a popular member of the presenting team. Additionally, Sara Cox, host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, co-hosted special editions in December 2000 and 2001, although she never presented regular episodes.

In September 2000, TOTP launched Top of the Pops @ Play, a spin-off on digital channel Play UK, featuring performances and backstage features, building on the earlier “Phone Zone” segment. A second spin-off, Top of the Pops Plus, aired on BBC Two and followed a similar format. Despite relative success, both shows were discontinued in September 2001.

A Move Back to Television Centre

In October 2001, Top of the Pops returned to its former base at BBC Television Centre with an hour-long special. The show moved into Studio 3—next door to its former long-term home, Studio 2—and embraced a new aesthetic that reflected the emerging trends of the decade. The stark minimalism of the 1990s gave way to a bolder, more dynamic design, with a five-set layout characterised by geometric black-lined panels.

During this transition, Cowey was joined by Michael Kelpie, who infused the show with a more contemporary, vibrant tone. One notable innovation was the introduction of the “Star Bar”, a new set feature where artist interviews and mid-show performances were conducted—marking the first time artist interviews had been formally incorporated into the main programme.

The presenting team at this stage included Jamie Theakston, Sarah Cawood, and Lisa Snowdon, with occasional guest hosts drawn from popular television personalities. In December 2001, a revamped 3D opening title sequence was introduced, completing the show’s visual refresh. In September 2002, TOTP celebrated its 2000th edition.

As the pace of the charts slowed in comparison to the 1990s, the show responded by inviting artists to return more frequently, a practice reminiscent of the 1980s.

The Digital Challenge

Historically, TOTP had served as a premier showcase for the UK singles chart, but by 2003, the music landscape was undergoing a fundamental transformation. The growing influence of the internet, coupled with the decline of physical single sales and the rising popularity of MP3 players such as the iPod, presented existential challenges to the programme’s traditional format.

Chris Cowey stepped down in 2003 and was succeeded by Andi Peters. With viewership in decline once again, Peters implemented a series of sweeping changes, including new opening titles and a new theme tune—“Get Out of This (and That)” by Tony Gibber. Adopting a strategy similar to the 1991 “Year Zero” revamp, the existing presenters were replaced with a single new host, Tim Kash, formerly of MTV.

The rebranded All New Top of the Pops aimed to remain relevant with a format that blended live performances, music videos, and artist interviews. However, it faced stiff competition from specialised music television channels and emerging online platforms offering niche music content tailored to specific audiences.

Tim Kash departed in 2004, and TOTP reverted to a rotating presenter format featuring various celebrities and musicians. The show also expanded its format to include more behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and thematic features to maintain viewer engagement.

The Final Years

Despite the new direction, ratings continued to decline, and in July 2005, the programme was moved from BBC One to BBC Two, now airing on Sunday evenings. Over the next 11 months, viewership steadily fell, and in July 2006, after more than 42 years on air, the BBC announced the cancellation of Top of the Pops.

The final broadcast aired on 30th July 2006, featuring appearances from past and present presenters including Janice Long, Pat Sharp, and Mike Read. The programme’s original host, Jimmy Savile, was controversially invited back to close the show, echoing his introduction from the very first episode in 1964 with the words: “It’s still number one. It’s Top of the Pops.”

Legacy and Special Editions

Though the weekly programme was discontinued, Top of the Pops lived on through its annual Christmas special, which continued into the 2010s. These festive editions, hosted by Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates for much of the 2000s, featured performances by some of the year’s biggest music acts and remained a staple of the BBC’s holiday programming.

In 2009, a special live edition was broadcast as part of Comic Relief—the first live Top of the Pops since 2005. It was well-received by audiences and even prompted calls from celebrities and government officials for the show to return on a regular basis. However, no full-time revival materialised.

Top of the Pops would however continue to air into the next decade, the 2010s...