Pick of the Pops is a long-running BBC Radio programme; it was based originally on the Top 20 from the UK Singles Chart and was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on 4 October 1955.[1] It transferred to BBC Radio 1 (simulcast on BBC Radio 2) from 1967 to 1972.[2] The show returned to the BBC in 1989 and its current production run started on BBC Radio 2 in 1997.
Its longest-serving presenter was Alan Freeman for almost 40 years, on and off, from 1961 to 2000. The current host is Mark Goodier, following the death of Steve Wright.
Original format (1955–72)
Initially, the show did not feature chart music, but in September 1957, Alan Dell introduced the format of running through the charts of the week; he played the top tens from various music papers, plus entries to the top 20s.
David Jacobs broadcast the first averaged BBC Top 20 to the helm on Saturday 29 March 1958. Alan Freeman took over in September 1961, taking the show to a regular Sunday slot in January 1962. The programme ended in September 1972, while the Top 20 continued as part of Solid Gold Sixty.
Freeman, who became the show's longest-serving presenter, had been a radio announcer in Melbourne, Australia. He arrived in Britain in 1957 and joined the Light Programme in 1960 to present Records Around Five. That same year, he replaced David Jacobs as presenter of Pick of the Pops, which was then part of a Saturday evening programme called Trad Tavern, named after traditional jazz, which had a following at the time. Pick of the Pops became a separate programme in January 1962;[3] it was produced by Derek Chinnery.
Denys Jones (producer 1961–72) and Freeman split the programme into four sections: chart newcomers, new releases, LPs and the Top 10.[3] The programme attracted large audiences, as the BBC had "needle time" restrictions and could play relatively few commercially available recordings each week. Freeman continued with the show when it moved to Radio 1 and stayed until the programme ended on 24 September 1972.[4]
Revivals
Freeman revived Pick of the Pops on London station Capital Radio in 1982. This format was broadcast on Capital until 1988, as Pick of the Pops – Take Two, combining the new chart (Top 15s compiled successively by Record Business, the NME and MRIB) with a chart from the past. In 1989, Freeman returned to Radio 1 where the show featured three past charts each week; it was produced by Phil Swern until March 1992 and by Sue Foster for the rest of 1992.[5] Freeman stood down from the programme in 1992, after stating then that he would not present the show again and signed off with The Beatles' "The End".
However, Freeman revived the show on Capital Gold in April 1994 as Pick of the Pops – Take Three.[6]
BBC Radio 2 era
Alan Freeman
Alan Freeman at the BBC (1973)
Pick of the Pops returned to the BBC as an independent production by Unique Broadcasting on BBC Radio 2 on 5 April 1997, with Freeman now counting down two archive charts each Saturday afternoon, featuring the top 10s and interspersing trivia about the records, again researched by producer Swern. Freeman featured the years 1956 to 1991.
Dale Winton
Due to poor health, Freeman retired from radio broadcasting after presenting his last edition of the show on 1 April 2000. He was replaced by Dale Winton.[7]
Pick of the Pops then returned every week in September 2005, on a Sunday afternoon, again presented by Winton. BBC moved the show to a Saturday lunchtime slot in April 2009, where it remains today.[8] Dale featured 1957 to 1999 during his reign.
Tony Blackburn
Tony Blackburn replaced Winton in 2010. He was dismissed by the BBC in February 2016 for sexual abuse allegations.[9][10]
Mark Goodier presented temporarily,[11] replaced in turn by Paul Gambaccini in 2016.
Noel Gallagher guest-hosted the show on 29 May 2021, to mark his birthday.[12]Gary Davies guest hosted the show on 21 and 28 August 2021 and 2 July 2022.
Paul featured 1958 to 2006 as his years as host. With 1982 & 1987 more than 30 times over his tenure.
Steve Wright
Steve Wright hosted the show starting in 2023.[13] Steve featured 1966- 2002 during his reign.
Mark Goodier
Gary Davies took over as an interim host in 2024, following Wright's sudden death. Goodier returned to the show to take over from Wright on a permanent basis from 6 July 2024, following his decision to leave Greatest Hits Radio.[11] Goodier's first show featured 1986 and 1998, and saw the return of listener messages being read out (although this was dropped again after a few weeks), as well as continuing to be live. During Mark’s time as host 1974 appeared again after not featuring since 2019.
Mark Goodier (Interim host between Blackburn's departure and Gambaccini's arrival, 27 February 2016 – 2 July 2016, plus two shows as stand in cover for Gambaccini in January and February 2018; 6 July 2024 – present)
Noel Gallagher (one show stand-in cover for Gambaccini, 29 May 2021)
Gary Davies (three shows as stand-in cover for Gambaccini, 21 and 28 August 2021, 2 July 2022 and interim host between Wright’s death and Goodier’s return; 17 February – 29 June 2024)
Scott Mills (one show as stand-in cover for Gambaccini, 16 April 2022)
Steve Wright (National Album Day specials, 15 October 2022; 21 October 2023 – 10 February 2024)
Theme music
Between 1961 and 1966, the theme tune was "At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal" written and performed by Brian Fahey and his Orchestra. In 1966 it was replaced with "Quite Beside The Point" by the Harry Roberts Sound but was reinstated in 1970, with a new recording by Brass Incorporated.
