TV Pop Diaries
Popular Music on British Television
1981
Thursday 1st January 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops '80 7:10 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis, Tommy Vance
Abba The Winner Takes It All (Promo)
Billy Preston & Syreeta With You I’m Born Again (Repeat)
Detroit Spinners Working My Way Back To You (Legs & Co)
Hot Chocolate No Doubt About It (Repeat)
Jam Going Underground
Status Quo What You’re Proposing
Stevie Wonder Masterblaster (Jammin’) (Promo)
Ottawan -
Madness -
UB40 -
Kelly Marie -
The Boomtown Rats -
The Pretenders -
BBC2 Joyce Grenfell 1910 -
Tribute show with Cleo Laine
BBC2 Genesis At The Lyceum 10:50 -
Thames The Helen Reddy Show 11:35 pm -
Grampian The Lena Martell Show 10:20 – 10:50 pm
Tyne Tees Paul Anka: Music My Way 11:35 pm – 12:10 am
In Monte Carlo
Friday 2nd January 1981
LWT Russ Abbot And His Very Own Show 7:45 -
Billie Jo Spears
Berni Flint
Saturday 3rd January 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
content unknown
BBC1 Heroes Of Rock N Roll 10:35 pm -
BBC2 Arena: Chelsea Hotel 10:20 -
Nico, Jobraith
ATV Tiswas
The Stray Cats
ITV Search For A Star
Venus and Mars (pop group)
Border Alright Now 10:00 – 10:30 am
content unknown
Yorkshire 3-
Alvin Stardust
Sunday 4th January 1981
BBC1 Kate 10:55 -
Kate Bush with Peter Gabriel
ITV Rock For Kampuchea 11:00 pm -
Queen
The Clash
The Pretenders
Wings
The Specials
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Rockpile With Robert Plant
Ian Dury & The Blockheads
The Who
Rockestra
Ulster Ulster Entertains
The Chieftains
Dana
Monday 5th January 1981
BBC2 Something Else (Hammersmith)
Adam & The Ants -
Linx
BBC2 Gilbert O’Sullivan 8:10 -
Barbara Dickson
Thames The Monte Carlo Show
Cher
Tuesday 6th January 1981
BBC1 The Crystal Gayle Show Repeat
BB King
Judy Collins
The Statler Brothers
BBC2 Jake Thackray And Songs 10:15 – 10:50 pm
Richard & Linda Thompson
Thames Unforgettable! 3:45 – 4:15
Host: Alan Freeman
Dave Berry, The Swinging Blue Jeans
Wednesday 7th January 1981
BBC1 Nationwide
Includes Nominations For The British Rock N Pop Awards
BBC2 Sixteen Up: Fair Cop? 6:05 -
John Cooper-
Thursday 8th January 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Richard Skinner
No theme
Racey -
Adam & The Ants -
The Look -
Barry Manilow -
Charts 30 -
The Beat -
Sad Cafe -
Matchbox -
Charts 19 -
Chas & Dave -
The Specials -
The Nolans -
Bad Manners -
Charts 10 -
John Lennon -
Queen -
Thames The Jim Davidson Show 7:30 -
Chas & Dave
Scottish On The Road With Duke Ellington 11:30 pm – 12:25 am
Anglia I Am The Blues 11:20 pm – 12:20 am
Friday 9th January 1981
BBC1 Peter Skellern 10:15 -
Saturday 10th January 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Adam Ant
BBC1 Parkinson
Suzi Quatro
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:10 -
John Martyn & Phil Collins -
John Otway -
The Skids -
The Joe Jackson Band -
The Jack Bruce Band -
Visage -
ATV Tiswas
Matchbox
Phil Collins
ITV Search For A Star
Quill (rock band)
Sunday 11th January 1981
BBC1 16 Up (repeat 7 January 1981)
Monday 12th January 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College 6:50 -
The Q-
BBC2 Barry Manilow 8:00 -
Live At Wembley, Part One
Thames The Monte Carlo Show
Neil Sedaka
Tuesday 13th January 1981
BBC2 Jake Thakray And Songs
Ralph McTell
Thames Unforgettable
The Merseybeats, Jigsaw
Wednesday 14th January 1981
Granada Live From Two
Bryan Ferry, Sandie Shaw, Paul Jones, Mickie Most, Paul Rafferty
The Hot Jazz Duo
Anglia Alright Now 5:15 – 5:45 pm
Thames Where’s Jack (1968 movie) Theme sung by Mary Hopkin
Thursday 15th January 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
Susan Fassbender Twilight Cafe
Gary Numan This Wreckage (Repeat)
Light Of The World I Shot The Sheriff
Dire Straits Romeo & Juliet
Stevie Wonder I Ain't Gonna Stand For It (Legs & Co)
Phil Collins In The Air Tonight
UFO Lonely Hearts
Mac Davis It's Hard To Be Humble (Promo)
Ultravox Vienna
Queen Flash (Promo)
John Lennon Imagine (Promo)
Yarborough & Peoples Don't Stop The Music (Playout)
Thames Afternoon Plus
Alan Price
Anglia Willie Dixon 11:15 pm – 12:15 am
Southern Jazz The Inimitable Art
documentary
Friday 16th January 1981
BBC1 Peter Skellern
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show 7:20 -
Hosts: Rik Mayall, Rob Rohner
content unknown
Granada Once Upon A Time
children's stories read by Nark Wynter
Saturday 17th January 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
content unknown
BBC1 Jim’ll Fix It
Madness
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:35 pm -
Adam & The Ants -
Huang Chung -
Angel City -
Paul Gambaccini reviews movie Times Square
The Flatbackers -
The Reluctant Stereotypes -
The Specials -
ATV Tiswas
The Look
LWT Search for a Star
Gordon Haskell
Sunday 18th January 1981
BBC2 The Red Arrows
Five Minute Documentary With Music By Sky
LWT 20th Century Box (repeat)
Spandau Ballet
LWT Oscar Peterson 11:30 pm – 12:30 am
Ray Charles
Monday 19th January 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College 7:00 -
UB40 At Keele University
BBC2 Barry Manilow
Live At Wembley, part two
Thames The Monte Carlo Show
Petula Clark
ATV Today
Bryan Ferry interview
Tuesday 20th January 1981
BBC2 Harty
Hot Gossip (with two new members)
BBC2 Jake Thakray And Songs
Maddy Prior Band
Thames Unforgettable
Billy J Kramer
Craig Douglas
Wednesday 21st January 1981
BBC1 Parkinson
Bette Midler
ATV Starburst
Petula Clark
Mud
ITV Honky Tonk Heroes 9:00 -
Drama set in British Country and Western Bar, written By Ray Connolly
Yorkshire The Lena Martell Show 11:30 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday 22nd January 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Peter Powell
The Look -
John Lennon Imagine (Promo)
XTC Sgt Rock (Is Going To Help Me)
Adam & The Ants Antmusic (Repeat)
Blondie Rapture (Promo)
Racey Runaround Sue (Repeat)
Bad Manners Lorraine (Repeat)
Honey Bane Turn Me On Turn Me Off
Yarborough & Peoples Don't Stop The Music (Legs & Co)
Spandau Ballet The Freeze
Visage Fade To Grey (Promo)
Friday 23rd January 1981
BBC1 Peter Skellern
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
content unknown
Thames Once Upon A Time (Children’s Stories)
As read by Mark Wynter
ATV Frank Sinatra: A Tribute 11:05 pm – 1:00 am
Saturday 24th January 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
The Quick
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 12:00 -
Mike Oldfield (Rockpop, Dortmund, 19 December 1980)
Roxy Music (Rock Pop, Dortmund)
Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons (Sydney)
ATV Tiswas
The Specials
Sunday 25th January 1981
ATV The Muppet Show
Debbie Harry
Monday 26th January 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College 7:00 -
The Motels
BBC2 Grace Kennedy 8:30 -
Gerard Kenny
Border The Sound of...
Vince Hill
Tuesday 27th January 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill At One
Grace Kennedy
BBC2 Jake Thackray And Songs
Alex Glasgow
Thames Unforgettable
Frank Ifield
Marty Wilde
Yorkshire The Entertainers: Elkie Brooks 11:30 pm – 1:00 am
Wednesday 28th January 1981
BBC2 Sixteen Up
Report on the death of Malcolm Owen of The Ruts
Thames Starburst
Ray Ellington
Thursday 29th January 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Tommy Vance
NB The Daily Mirror have Dire Straits as appearing
Diana Ross Its My Turn (Legs & Co)
John Lennon Imagine (Promo)
John Lennon Woman (Promo)
Stranglers Thrown Away
Ultravox Vienna (Repeat)
Gap Band Burn Rubber On Me (Promo)
Madness The Return Of The Los Palmas Seven (Promo)
Phil Collins In The Air Tonight (Repeat)
Sheila Hylton The Bed's Too Big Without You
Slade We'll Bring The House Down
Susan Fassbender Twilight Cafe
Thames The Jim Davidson Show
Chas & Dave
Friday 30th January 1981
BBC1 Peter Skellern
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
Hosts -
Gen X -
BBC2 Friday Night Saturday Morning 11:30 pm -
Harry Chapin
Southern The Pirhanas 10:35 – 11:05 pm
Documentary about their American tour
Saturday 31st January 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
The Skids
BBC2 Arena: Today Carlshalton Beeches…Tomorrow Croydon 10:45 -
John Peel Documentary
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 12:00 -
Dire Straits (Rock Pop, Dortmund)
Talking Heads (Rock Pop, Dortmund)
ATV Tiswas
The Pretenders
Elaine Paige
ITV The Bing Crosby International Golf Tournament
Pat Boone
Sunday 1st February 1981
ATV The Muppet Show
Johnny Cash
Monday 2nd February 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College
NB This show was scheduled to be John Martyn At Chelsea College but was cancelled
The Skids At Chelsea College
BBC2 Grace Kennedy
ITV It's A Musical World
Elkie Brooks
Tuesday 3rd February 1981
BBC2 Jake Thackray And Songs
Shusha
BBC2 Russell Harty
David Essex
Thames Unforgettable
Don Lang
Marmalade
ITV The Ballyskillen Opera House
The Bachelors
Wednesday 4th February 1981
BBC1 Variety Club Awards 7:25 -
Hazel O’Connor (best film actress)
BBC1 Captain Beaky World Of Words And Music (repeat)
Petula Clark
ATV Starburst 8:00 -
Billy J Kramer And The New Dakotas
The Merseybeats
Dave Berry
Don Mclean
Granada Live From Two
DJ Show: David Jacobs, Tony Blackburn, Mike Read, John Peel
Harry Chapin W.O.L.D
Paul Rafferty Man Behind The Scene
Spookey There's Cyclone
Thursday 5th February 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:25 -
Host: Simon Bates
Cliff Richard A Little In Love (Promo)
John Lennon Woman (Promo)
XTC Sgt Rock (Is Going To Help Me) (Repeat)
Blondie Rapture (Promo)
Rainbow I Surrender (Promo)
Dire Straits Romeo & Juliet (Repeat)
Fred Wedlock Oldest Swinger In Town
Joe Dolce Music Theatre Shaddup Your Face
Passions I’m In Love With A German Film Star
Spandau Ballet The Freeze (Repeat)
Stray Cats Rock This Town
BBC2 The Mike Harding Show
Live At The Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Thames The Jim Davidson Show
Sue Wilkinson – You’ve Got To Be A Hustler
Friday 6th February 1981
BBC1 Peter Skellern 10:15 -
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
Graham Fellows
BBC2 Friday Night…Saturday Morning
Baby Grand
Saturday 7th February 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
content unknown
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 10:45 -
Freeze -
Russ Ballard -
Creedence Clearwater Revival -
Glenn Baker -
Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons -
The Jags -
The DB's -
ATV Tiswas
Honey Baine
Fred Wedlock
Joe Dolce
LWT Punchlines!
Lulu
Yorkshire 3-
The Wurzels
Sunday 8th February 1981
LWT Star Parade
The Bellamy Brothers
Mirriele Matthieu
ITV The Monte Carlo Show
Neil Sedaka
The Hudson Brothers
Monday 9th February 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College 7:00 -
The Roches At Loughborough University
BBC2 Grace Kennedy
Marvin Hamlisch
Tuesday 10th February 1981
BBC2 Jake Thackray And Songs
Pete Scott
Thursday 12th February 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Richard Skinner
Freeez Southern Freeez
John Lennon Woman (Promo)
Ultravox Vienna (Promo)
Barbara Jones Just When I Needed You Most
Beggar & Co (Somebody) Help Me Out
Coast To Coast (Do) The Hucklebuck
Gillan Mutually Assured Destruction
Kelly Marie Hot Love
George Benson What’s On Your Mind (Legs & Co)
Pretenders Message Of Love
Slade Well Bring The House Down (Repeat)
Thames The Jim Davidson Show
Linda Lewis
BBC2 The Mike Harding Show
Live At The Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Scottish Mike Oldfield In Concert 10:30 – 11:00 pm
Friday 13th February 1981
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show 7:20 -
The Passions -
BBC1 Peter Skellern 10:15 -
Granada Clapperboard
Pop Stars Turned Actors
Saturday 14th February 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
content unknown
BBC1 The Best Of Yarwood
The Nolan Sisters
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test
Michael Des Barres -
Midnight Flyer with Maggie Bell -
Paul Gambaccini & Anne Nightingale review Dance Craze movie
The Beat -
Camel -
Trevor Rabin -
The Sound -
ATV Tiswas
Slade (Noddy and Dave) -
ITV Duets For Piano And Voice 11:30 pm – 12:35 am (Made By RTE, Ireland)
Tony Hatch And Jackie Trent
Granada Blood Sweat And Tears
Sunday 15th February 1981
ATV The Muppet Show
Buddy Rich
LWT Star Parade: 11:30 pm -
James Last
John Denver
The Richie Family
Monday 16th February 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College
B A Robertson At Preston Polytechnic
BBC2 …Won’t Change Places
Marti Webb special
ITV Monday Matinee: The Last of the Secret Agents?
Nancy Sinatra
Tuesday 17th February 1981
BBC2 Maggie 6:15 -
Theme By B A Robertson
BBC2 Harty
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas West End musical special
Thames Unforgettable (not listed in Daily Mirror)
The Fortunes
The Foundations
Thursday 19th February 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
Adam & The Ants Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Fred Wedlock Oldest Swinger In Town
Headgirl (Motorhead / Girlschool) Please Don't Touch
Joe Dolce Music Theatre Shaddup Your Face (Repeat)
Talking Heads Once In A Lifetime (Legs & Co)
Rainbow I Surrender (Promo)
Stray Cats Rock This Town
Teardrop Explodes Reward
Toyah Its A Mystery
Visage Fade To Grey (Promo)
BBC2 The Mike Harding Show
Friday 20th February 1981
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show 7:25 – 8:00 pm
Nash The Slash
BBC2 Playhouse: Bobby Wants To Meet Me 9:30 -
Play about Bob Dylan fan at music paper who gets the chance to meet his idol backstage at Earl’s Court in 1978
Saturday 21st February 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
XTC
BBC1 Jim’ll Fix It
Shakin’ Stevens
BBC1 Parkinson
Marvin Hamlisch
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Jeff Beck -
Grand Prix -
Jimi Hendrix -
999 -
The Spliff Radio Show -
John Cougar -
ATV Tiswas
Chas and Dave
Sunday 22nd February 1981
ATV The Muppet Show
Paul Simon
Monday 23rd February 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College 6:30 -
Gillan At Oxford Polytechnic
BBC2 Grace Kennedy 8:30 – 9:00 pm
Granada Darts In Concert 12:00 – 12:45 am
Tuesday 24th February 1981
Thames Unforgettable
The Marvelettes
Vanity Fair
Wednesday 25th February 1981
BBC1 Nationwide 5:55 -
The British Rock N Pop Awards
Hosts: Dave Lee Travis, Sue Lawley (The New Theatre, London)
Hot Chocolate
Madness
Adam & The Ants
Hazel O’Connor
Yoko Ono (On Phone)
David Bowie – Wins Award
Thursday 26th February 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Peter Powell
Kim Wilde -
Status Quo Something Bout You Baby I Like
The Passions -
Joe Dolce -
Freeez Southern Freeez (Repeat)
Kiki Dee Star
Roxy Music Jealous Guy (Promo)
Ultravox Vienna (Promo)
Beggar & Co (Somebody) Help Me Out (Repeat)
Coast To Coast (Do) The Hucklebuck (Repeat)
Kelly Marie Hot Love
Madness The Return Of The Los Palmas Seven
BBC2 The Mike Harding Show
Yorkshire George Hamilton IV
Friday 27th February 1981
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
Hosts: Rob Rohrer, Jackie Speckley
content unknown
Saturday 28th February 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Shakin’ Stevens
Showaddywaddy
BBC1 Jim’ll Fix It
Adam & The Ants
BBC1 Little And Large
The Stray Cats
BBC1 Parkinson (300th show)
Wall Street Crash
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test
Naked Lunch -
U2 – 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow
Garland Jeffrey & The Rumour -
April Wine -
BLT -
Jeff Beck -
Illustration -
Iron Maiden -
Granada Oscar Peterson In Concert
ATV Tiswas
Sheena Easton (participates in 'Beat The Benny')
Jake Thackray
Sunday 1st March 1981
LWT Star Parade
Guys n Dolls
Roger Whittaker
Monday 2nd March 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College 6:35 -
John Martyn At Sterling University
BBC2 Say It With Baby Grand 10:15 -
Andy Fairweather Low
ATV Rockstage 11:15 am -
NB The show is also broadcast in stereo on some ILR stations. Different ITV stations show different shows to ATV
Compilation of forthcoming shows
Wednesday 4th March 1981
Granada Live From Two
Clodagh Rodgers
Thursday 5th March 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Mike Read
no theme
Duran Duran -
Talking Heads -
Adam & The Ants -
Toyah -
Shakin' Stevens -
Headgirl (Motorhead / Girlschool) -
Phil Collins -
Kool & The Gang -
Charts 30 -
Teardrop Explodes -
Charts 20 -
The Who -
Charts 10 -
Joe Dolce Music Theatre -
Coast To Coast -
Friday 6th March 1981
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
content unknown
Granada Live From Two
Miles Copeland Talks About Spying
Saturday 7th March 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Eric Stewart (10cc)
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test
Echo & The Bunnymen -
Spandau Bellet -
Randy Meisner -
Pretty Boy Floyd -
Carl Green & The Scene -
The DB’s -
Rupert Hine & THe Menace -
BBC1 Parkinson 9:45 -
Pete Townshend
ATV Tiswas 10:30 am -
Roger Daltrey, Kenney Jones
Sunday 8th March 1981
ATV The Muppet Show
Mac Davis
LWT Star Parade
James Last Special
Cliff Richard
Abba
Nana Mouskouri
Roger Whittaker
Monday 9th March 1981
BBC2 Rock Goes To College
Siouxsie & The Banshees At Warwick University
BBC2 Marti
Billy Preston, Hope, & Marti Caine With You I’m Born Again
BBC2 Say It With Baby Grand
Andy Fairweather-
ATV Rockstage
Sad Café (Theatre Royal, Nottingham)
Wednesday 11th March 1981
BBC1 A Song For Europe ‘81
Choosing the UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest from eight songs
Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up
ATV Vic Damone In Concert
ATV Starburst
The Drifters
Amii Stewart
Gerard Kenny
Thursday 12th March 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Tommy Vance
NB This is a collection of promos and repeats due to industrial action with the host appearing in front of the TOTP logo.
NB The Daily Mirror has The Polecats as appearing
Freeez Southern Freeez (Repeat)
Status Quo Something Bout You Baby I Like (Repeat)
Kiki Dee Star (Repeat)
Talking Heads Once In A Lifetime (Legs & Co) (Repeat)
Roxy Music Jealous Guy (Promo)
Beggar & Co (Somebody) Help Me Out (Repeat)
Coast To Coast (Do) The Hucklebuck (Repeat)
Kelly Marie Hot Love (Repeat)
Kim Wilde Kids In America (Promo)
Landscape Einstein A Go-
Linx Intuition (Promo)
Teardrop Explodes Reward (Repeat)
BBC2 Sky at Westminster Abbey
Friday 13th March 1981
BBC1 Abba In Concert 8:05 -
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
content unknown
Saturday 14th March 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Sad Cafe
BBC1 The Little and Large Show
Crystal Gayle
BBC1 Mississippi Days And Southern Nights 11:25 pm -
Glen Campbell
Tanya Tucker
Rita Coolidge
John Hartford
BBC1 Parkinson
Petula Clark
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test
Bruce Springsteen -
Paul Gambaccini wears a radation suit to review No Nukes movie
Human Sexual Response -
Nine Below Zero -
The Cuban Heels -
ATV Tiswas
Toyah Wilcox
LWT The Monte Carlo Show
Anne Murray
Rod McKeun
Yorkshire 3-
Berni Flint
Sunday 15th March 1981
BBC2 Made 1972 Movie With Roy Harper
ATV The Muppet Show
Shirley Bassey
LWT George Hamilton IV
Monday 16th March 1981
BBC2 Marti Caine 8:15 -
Leo Sayer
BBC2 Say It With Baby Grand
Andy Fairweather Low
Granada What’s On
Elvis Costello -
ATV Rockstage
Average White Band (Theatre Royal, Nottingham)
Tuesday 17th March 1981
BBC1 Omnibus 10:40 -
Stevie Wonder: Innervisions
Wednesday 18th March 1981
ATV Starburst
Leo Sayer
Granada Live From Two
Miles Copeland Talks About Spying
Thursday 19th March 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
Host: Peter Powell
Dave Stewart & Colin Blunstone What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
Stevie Wonder Lately (Legs & Co)
The Who You Better You Bet (repeat)
Roxy Music Jealous Guy (Promo)
Bucks Fizz Making Your Mind Up
Duran Duran Planet Earth
Phil Collins I Missed Again (repeat)
Shakin’ Stevens This Ole House (Promo)
Sharon Redd Can You Handle It
Toyah Its A Mystery
Visage Mind Of A Toy (Promo)
Friday 20th March 1981
BBC1 Cliff In London 8:15 -
Live at the Apollo, Victoria, 1980
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
One of the presenters is Graham Fellows (Jilted John / John Shuttleworth)
content unknown
Saturday 21st March 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
BA Robertson
The Look
BBC1 The Little and Large Show
Shakin’ Stevens
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 10:15 -
Joni Mitchell -
ATV Tiswas
Status Quo
LWT The Monte Carlo Show
Kris Kristoffreson
Sunday 22nd March 1981
BBC2 Blow Up Movie with The Yardbirds
Monday 23rd March 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Peggy Lee
BBC2 Marti Caine
Kiki Dee
The Korgis
Thames A Royal Gala -
NB The Palace Theatre, Manchester
10Ccc with the Halle Orchestra
ATV Rockstage
Elkie Brooks
Wednesday 25th March 1981
BBC1 George Burns In Nashvile??? 11:20 pm -
Loretta Lynn
The Gatlin Brothers
Thursday 26th March 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Richard Skinner
no theme
The Polecats -
Kim Wilde -
Graham Bonnett -
Hazel O'Connor -
Tony Capstick -
Gillan -
Linx -
Lene Lovich -
Bad Manners -
Charts 30 -
The Whispers -
Charts 19 -
Landscape -
Charts 10 -
Shakin’ Stevens -
Bucks Fizz -
Friday 27th March 1981
BBC1 Barry Manilow World Tour 1981 8:00 -
Wembley, January 1981
ITV The Extraordinary People Show
The Nolans
Saturday 28th March 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Squeeze -
The Tourists
The Teardrop Explodes
BBC1 Parkinson (repeat)
Cliff Richard
Sammy Cahn
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test
Live From Rockpalast, Essen, West Germany
The Who 9:35 -
The Grateful Dead -
ATV Tiswas
NB the final show with Lenny Henry, Chris Tarrant, Bob Carolgees, John Gorman
The Barron Knights
HTV The Monte Carlo Show
David Essex
Helen Reddy
LWT The Monte Carlo Show
Sacha Distel
Granada Paul Anka Music -
Sunday 29th March 1981
BBC2 Oh Lucky Man, movie with Alan Price
LWT Star Parade
Boney M
Lynsey DePaul
Monday 30th March 1981
BBC2 Marti
Tony Christie
Wall Street Crash
BBC2 Say It With Baby Grand
Andy Fairweather Low
ATV Rockstage
Squeeze
Tuesday 31st March 1981
BBC1 (Midlands) Look! Hear! 6:45 -
Host: Toyah Wilcox
Weapon Of Peace, The Hawks
BBC2 Hooked! (fishing show)
Frankie Vaughan
Thursday 2nd April 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
Host: Simon Bates
Dave Stewart & Colin Blunstone What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted (Repeat)
Stevie Wonder Lately (Promo)
Lena Zavaroni Roses & Rainbows
Bucks Fizz Making Your Mind Up (Repeat)
Children Of Tansley School My Mum Is One In A Million
Jacksons Can You Feel It (Legs & Co)
Light Of The World Time
Liquid Gold Don't Panic
Shakin Stevens This Ole House
Spandau Ballet Musclebound
Stiff Little Fingers Just Fade Away
Sugar Minott Good Thing Going
BBC2 Jazz On A Bright Summer’s Day
West 58 Street Stompers
Friday 3rd April 1981
BBC1 Barry Manilow World Tour 1981 part two
Saturday 4th April 1981
BBC1 The Eurovision Song Contest 1981
UK Entry and winner: Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:55 pm -
Fischer Z -
Roger Taylor (Queen) -
Wings -
Whitesnake -
David Hepworth -
Spirit -
Stiff Little Fingers -
The Selecter -
BBC2 Arena: Did You Miss Me…? 11:00 -
Gary Glitter Documentary
LWT The Monte Carlo Show
Charles Aznavour
Sunday 5th April 1981
BBC1 George Burns In Nashville??? (See 25 March 1981)
BBC2 International Pro-
Glen Campbell
LWT Star Parade
James Last
Barry Manilow
Boney M
Johnny Ray
Monday 6th April 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop
B.A. Robertson Saint Saens
Bucks Fizz Making Your Mind Up
Coast to Coast Do the Hucklebuck
BBC2 Marti Caine
Showaddywaddy
BBC2 Say It With Baby Grand
Andy Fairweather Low – Wide Eyed And Legless
ATV Rockstage
Girlschool
Motorhead
Tuesday 7th April 1981
BBC2 Billie Jo Spears 9:00 -
The Hillsiders
Wednesday 8th April 1981
BBC1 Lena
Lena Zavaroni
Lulu
Thames The Andy Williams Show
Thursday 9th April 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Mike Read
no theme
Linx -
Bucks Fizz -
Saxon -
Keith Marshall -
David Bowie -
Rosemary from Legs and Co 21st birthday
Graham Bonnett -
Public Image Ltd -
Eddy Grant -
Gillan -
Charts 30 -
The Whispers -
Charts 20 -
Hazel O'Connor -
Charts 10 -
Shakin’ Stevens -
BBC2 Wall Street Crash
concert
Saturday 11th April 1981
BBC1 The Val Doonican Music Show
Vic Damone
BBC1 Saturday Night At The Mill 11:00 -
B A Robertson interviewed by Jenny Hanley (Robertson keeps taunting Hanley with “your turn” after answering questions)
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 10:15 -
The Gang Of Four -
Phil Lynott -
Gary US Bonds -
Paul Gambaccini -
Roger Taylor -
David Hepworth -
Sunday 12th April 1981
ATV The Muppet Show
Judy Collns
Monday 13th April 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop
Matchbox Babes in the Wood
Dave Edmunds Almost Saturday Night
Duran Duran Planet Earth
BBC2 Marti Caine
Judie Tzuke
BBC2 Say It With Baby Grand
Andy Fairweather Low
ATV Rockstage
Joe Jackson
Martha & The Muffins
Tuesday 14th April 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Vic Damone
BBC1 Look! Hear!
The Reluctant Stereotypes
BBC2 Gladys Knight & The Pips 9:00 -
At The New London Theatre
Granada Moondogs Matinee (first edition)
NB Producer Muriel Young had a tough job understanding their Northern Irish accents, so much so that they are told not to say too much between songs. "Those rich brogues helped us reach that decision. I often tell them to speak English which gets a laugh”
The Moondogs
The Pretenders
Slade
Wednesday 15th April 1981
BBC1 Nationwide 5:55 -
Includes The TSB Rock School Finals
BBC1 Lena
Lena Zavaroni
Sheeba – Horoscopes
Thames The Andy Williams Show
Thursday 16th April 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
Host: Peter Powell
Bad Manners -
Spandau Ballet -
Girlschool – Hit 'N' Run
Sugar Minnot -
Department S -
The Beat -
Whitesnake -
UK Subs -
Ennio Morricone -
The Cure -
The Nolans -
Bucks Fizz -
The Jacksons -
BBC1 Frankie & Johnny 1967 Elvis Presley movie
Thames The Kenny Everett Video Cassette 7:30 -
NB Put opposite Top of the Pops, it died a death. Anna Dawson plays Karla in a live action version of Captain Kremmen
B A Robertson – Sad Songs
David Essex -
Friday 17th April 1981 Good Friday
BBC1 Swap Shop Star Awards 1981 4:40 -
Adam & The Ants
Thames ABBA Words And Music 5:10 -
Concert footage and conversation
Saturday 18th April 1981
BBC1 The Val Doonican Music Show
Anne Murray
BBC1 Saturday Night At The Mill 10:25 -
The Shadows
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 12:40 -
The Scars -
David Hepworth -
Joe Walsh -
Lounge Lizards -
Krokus -
Rockpile with Robert Plant -
Wilko Johnson's Solid Senders -
LWT Children’s Royal Variety Show 6:10 -
Adam & The Ants
LWT The Monte Carlo Show
Rod McKeun
Monday 20th April 1981 Bank Holiday
BBC1 Paradise Hawaiian Style 1965 Elvis Presley Movie
BBC1 Kenny Rogers Easter By The Sea 10:50 -
Kenny Rogers
BBC2 Say It With Baby Grand
BBC2 Pam Ayres Egg-
The Albion Band
BBC2 Harty
Compilation With Rod Stewart In Belfast, Shakin’ Stevens
LWT Shirley McLaine At The Lido
Tom Jones
ATV Rockstage
OMD, Lene Lovich
Tuesday 21st April 1981
BBC1 The Big Time: Sheena Easton, The Making Of A Star
Sheena Easton Update
BBC2 Gladys Knight & The Pips Part Two 9:00 -
Granada Moondogs Matinee 4:20 -
Roger Daltrey
Chas & Dave
Wednesday 22nd April 1981
BBC1 Lena 8:30 -
Lena Zavaroni
Kiki Dee
Thursday 23rd April 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
Level 42 -
Freeez Flying High
Eddy Grant Can’t Get Enough Of You (Repeat)
Barry Manilow Bermuda Triangle (Legs & Co)
Roger Taylor Future Management
Bucks Fizz Making Your Mind Up (Repeat)
Gillan New Orleans (Repeat)
Keith Marshall Only Crying (Repeat)
Matchbox Babes In The Wood
Starsound Stars On 45 (Legs & Co) (& Credits)
Saxon And The Bands Played On (Repeat)
Thames The Kenny Everett Video Cassette
The Pretenders – Louie Louie
Kate Bush – in sketch
Cliff Richard – in sketch
Hot Gossip dance to -
Saturday 25th April 1981
BBC1 The Val Doonican Show
Marti Webb – I’ve Been In Love Too Long
BBC1 Saturday Night at the Mill
Petula Clark meets the real Maria Von Trapp
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 12:15 -
NB A French special
Liitle Bob Story -
Herve Muller -
Jean Luc-
Jean Michel Jarre -
Telephone -
Charlelie Couture -
Trust -
Sunday 26th April 1981
ATV The Monte Carlo Show
Demis Roussos
Monday 27th April 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 4:20 -
The Look Three Steps Away
Shakin Stevens You Drive Me Crazy
Bad Manners Just a Feeling
BBC2 The Nolans 9:00 – 9:35 pm
ATV Rockstage
The Lambrettas
Tuesday 28th April 1981
Granada Moondogs Matinee
The Searchers -
Godley & Crème -
BBC2 Don Williams In Concert 9:00 -
The New Theatre, London
Wednesday 29th April 1981
BBC1 Lena
Lena Zavaroni
Gilbert O’Sullivan -
Thursday 30th April 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
Host: Jimmy Savile
Bucks Fizz Making Your Mind Up (Promo)
Department S Is Vic There (Repeat)
Ennio Morricone Chi Mai (Promo)
Human League The Sound Of The Crowd
Quincy Jones Ai No Corrida (Legs & Co)
Madness Grey Day (Promo)
Sheena Easton When He Shines (live vocal)
Spandau Ballet Musclebound (Repeat)
Teardrop Explodes Treason
Ten Pole Tudor Swords Of A Thousand Men
The Beat All Out To Get You
Thin Lizzy Are You Ready
Thames The Kenny Everett Video Cassette
Hot Chocolate – I’m Losing You
Saturday 2nd May 1981
BBC1 Val Doonican Music Show 8:20 -
Glen Campbell
Billie Jo Spears
BBC1 Diana Ross 10:10 -
Live At The Forum, Los Angeles, With Michael Jackson
LWT The Cannon and Ball Show
Anne Murray
LWT The Monte Carlo Show
Cleo Laine
Sunday 3rd May 1981
Granada On The Road: 25 Today! 5:30 -
NB also seen as Remember This (25 Years Of Light Entertainment)
The Beatles – Cavern Clip 1962, Ken Dodd Clip Etc
The Animals
Peter Sellers (several takes of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ From The Music Of Lennon & McCartney)
Mick Jagger
Gene Vincent
Jerry Lee Lewis
The Rolling Stones
Dusty Springfield
Little Richard
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Monday 4th May 1981 Bank Holiday
BBC1 Multi Coloured Music Show 5:55 -
Roxy Music
The Stray Cats
Adam & The Ants
The Police
Status Quo
Dire Straits
The Pretenders
BBC2 The Nolans (repeat)
ATV Rockstage
Madness
The Modetts
Tuesday 5th May 1981
BBC2 Crystal Gayle 9:00 -
The New London Theatre
Donovan
BBC2 Boom Boom Out Go The Lights 9:45 -
Dexy’s Midnight Runners
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:35 pm -
Paul Brady -
Naughty Culture -
Rose Tattoo -
David Hepworth -
Iam Gomm -
Jim Capaldi & The Contenders -
Granada Moondogs Matinee
content unknown
Wednesday 6th May 1981
BBC1 Lena
Lena Zavaroni
Nana Mouskouri
Thursday 7th May 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
NB This edition is a live broadcast as the Bank Holiday earlier in the week meant that the charts arrived a day late and the producers wouldn’t have the chance to produce and record a regular show on Wednesday for transmission the following day
Host: Peter Powell
Adam & The Ants Stand and Deliver (Promo)
Eddy Grant Can’t Get Enough Of You
The Nolans Attention To Me
Chas & Dave & Tottenham F.C. Ossie’s Dream
Keith Marshall Only Crying
Kim Wilde Chequered Love
Starsound Stars On 45 (Legs & Co)
Reo Speedwagon Keep On Loving You (Promo)
Shakin’ Stevens You Drive Me Crazy
The Stray Cats Stray Cat Strut (Promo)
The Undertones It’s Gonna Happen
Thames Afternoon Plus
The Drifters
Thames The Kenny Everett Video Cassette
Cliff Richard – Move It, Take Another Look
Friday 8th May 1981
BBC2 A World of Jazz
The Stan Getz Quartet
The Mel Lewis Big Band
The Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble
Saturday 9th May 1981
BBC1 The Val Doonican Show
Kevin Johnson
Cleo Laine
LWT Cannon And Ball 7:40 -
Lulu
Monday 11th May 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop
Small Ads Small Ads
Keith Marshall Only Crying
The Beat All Out To Get You
BBC1 Alan Price 11:05 -
Madeline Bell
ATV Rockstage
Any Trouble
Matchbox
Tuesday 12th May 1981
BBC1 Pete Sayers Entertains
Frank Ifield
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
The Plastics -
Brian Eno & David Byrne -
Holly & The Italians -
Bob Marley & The Wailers -
Adam and the Ants -
David Hepworth -
Marianne Faithfull -
Paul Gambaccini -
Granada Moondogs Matinee
The Boomtown Rats
Suzi Quatro
Wednesday 13th May 1981
BBC1 Lena
Lena Zavaroni
Anne Murray
Thursday 14th May 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 6:55 -
NB Only twenty minutes long due to the FA Cup Final replay
The show was originally scheduled for 7.20 -
Host: Tommy Vance
no theme
Thin Lizzy -
Sheena Easton -
Department S -
Charts 30 -
Kim Carnes -
Charts 19 -
Ten Pole Tudor -
Charts 9 -
Adam & The Ants -
Thames The Kenny Everett Video Cassette 9:30 -
NB Shifted to a later time slot due to the FA Cup Final replay
Chas and Dave – sketches, Poor Old Mister Woogie
Elton John -
Friday 15th May 1981
BBC2 World of Jazz
Abdullah Ibrahim Dollar Brand Group
Granada Get It Together (repeat)
The Piranhas
The Blue Meanies
Richie Close and Band
Saturday 16th May 1981
BBC1 The Val Doonican Show
Ray Charles
The Chieftains
BBC1 Saturday Night At The Mill 11:25 pm -
Bill Wyman
LWT Cannon & Ball
Alan Price
LWT The Monte Carlo Show
Glen Campbell
Sunday 17th May 1981
ATV The Muppet Show (repeat)
Petula Clark
Monday 18th May 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop
Toyah
BBC1 Alan Price 11:05 -
Protest songs from the sixties
ATV Rockstage
The Stranglers
Hazel O’Connor
Tuesday 19th May 1981
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test
A Texas special
Billy Preston -
Christopher Cross -
Johnny Winter -
Delbert McClinton -
Sir Douglas Quintet -
Joe 'King' Carasco -
Joe Ely -
Granada Moondogs Matinee
Rockpile
David Bowie
Thursday 21st May 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
Adam & The Ants Stand and Deliver (Promo)
Chas & Dave & Tottenham F.C. Ossie’s Dream (Repeat)
Duran Duran Careless Memories
Human League The Sound Of The Crowd
Kim Wilde Chequered Love (Promo)
Stray Cats Stray Cat Strut (Legs & Co)
Shakin’ Stevens You Drive Me Crazy
Smokey Robinson Being With You (Promo)
Teardrop Explodes Treason (Repeat)
The Beat All Out To Get You (Repeat)
Toyah I Wanna Be Free
Undertones Its Gonna Happen
Lionel Richie (promo)
Thames The Kenny Everett Video Cassette
Dire Straits – Skate Away
ATV Here and Now!
Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth
Friday 22nd May 1981
BBC2 World of Jazz
Clips of the Montreux Jazz Festival
Naoya Matsuoka Big Band, Monty Alexander Trio, George Coleman Octet
Granada Get It Together
content unknown
Saturday 23rd May 1981
BBC1 The Val Doonican Show
Lena Zavaroni
LWT The Cannon and Ball Show
Ritz
LWT In Concert Special
Mel Torme and Della Reese
Sunday 24th May 1981
ATV The Monte Carlo Show
Anthony Newley
Monday 25th May 1981 Bank Holiday
BBC1 Rod Stewart 10:30 -
Live At The Forum, Los Angeles
Thames Loretta Lynn 11:30 pm -
ATV Brenda Lee In Concert
Tuesday 26th May 1981
BBC2 Pete Sayers Entertains
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:35 pm -
The Clarke / Duke Project In Concert At BBC TV Theatre
Granada Moondogs Matinee
The Moondogs
Elton John
ATV Crossroads
NB It’s about this time that a recording studio is attached to the Motel, leading to a visit by pop singer Kate Loring (Kate Robbins). She records the song ‘More Than In Love’ and is a hit on an ATV owned record company.
Wednesday 27th May 1981
BBC1 Alan Prince 10:15 -
NB In Manchester
Thursday 28th May 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Simon Bates
no theme
The Polecats -
Champaign -
UB40 -
Ten Pole Tudor -
Vangelis -
Enigma -
Hazel O'Connor -
Charts 30 -
Coast To Coast -
Charts 20 -
Kim Carnes -
Charts 10 -
Adam & The Ants -
George Harrison -
Friday 29th May 1981
BBC1 Des O’Connor Tonight
Marti Webb
BBC2 A World Of Jazz
Bill Evans Trio
Mingus Dynasty
Betty Carter
Granada Get It Together (repeat)
content unknown
Saturday 30th May 1981
BBC2 Val Doonican Show
Rita Coolidge
Wall Street Crash
“Toots” Theilemans
Sunday 30th June 1981
LWT George Hamilton IV
Monday 1st June 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop
999 Obsessed
Paul Shane with Ruth Madoc Hi-
Suzi Quatro Lipstick
Tuesday 2nd June 1981
BBC2 Pete Sayers Entertains
Pete Rowan
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Adam & The Ants -
The Eurythmics -
The Beat -
Real To Real -
Nick Mason -
Shakin’ Pyramids -
John Cooper-
Tyne-
Chas and Dave
Kiki Dee
Showaddywaddy
Adam and the Ants
Wednesday 3rd June 1981
BBC1 Showaddywaddy 7:30 -
Kiki Dee
BBC1 Alan Price 10:30 -
Georgie Fame
Granada The Video Entertainers 8:00 -
Alan Price
Lisa Stansfield
Poacher
Tammy Cline
Thursday 4th June 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Richard Skinner
no theme
Siouxsie & The Banshees -
Shakin Stevens -
Kate Robbins & Beyond -
Squeeze -
Imagination -
The Jam -
Michael Jackson -
Charts 30 -
Toyah -
Charts 20 -
Phil Collins -
Charts 10 -
Adam & The Ants -
Odyssey – Going Back To My Roots (audience dancing and end credits)
Friday 5th June 1981
BBC1 Des O’Connor Tonight
Grace Kennedy
BBC2 A World of Jazz
Clips from the Montreux Jazz Festival
Mel Lewi, Big Band, Dexter Gordon with Hampton Hawes and Kenny Clarke, Champion Jack Dupree
Granada Get It Together (repeat)
Saturday 9th June 1981
BBC1 The Val Doonican Show
Pat Boone
Sunday 10th June 1981
ATV The Muppets (repeat)
Leo Sayer
LWT George Hamilton IV (repeat)
Monday 8th June 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop
Showaddawaddy Multiplication
The Dooleys Taken at the Flood
Tenpole Tudor Swords of a Thousand Men
Tuesday 9th June 1981
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:35 pm -
Jack Bruce and friends Including David Sancious, Clem Clemson, Billy Cobham at University of Surrey
Tyne-
Lynsey DePaul
Jona Lewie
Wednesday 10th June 1981
BBC1 Back To The Egg 7:45 -
Wings Special
NB It takes the BBC two years to show this 1979 special
Granada The Video Entertainers
Gilbert O’Sullivan
Jade
Thursday 11th June 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Jimmy Savile
Hazel O'Connor Will You
Randy Crawford You Might Need Somebody (live)
Ultravox All Stood Still
Bucks Fizz Piece Of The Action
Coast To Coast Jump The Broomstick
Elaine Paige Memory (live, appears to be on a aircraft runway in a TV studio)
Enigma Ain’ No Stopping Us Now
Landscape Norman Bates
Smokey Robinson Being With You (Promo)
ITV Here Today
Fred Wedlock
Friday 12th June 1981
BBC1 Des O’Connor Tonight (repeat)
The Three Degrees
BBC2 A World of Jazz
Clips from the Montreux Jazz Festival
Art Blakey Drum Summit, Guy Lafitte and Bill Coleman, Klaus Doldinger, Passport
Granada Get It Together
Sunday 14th June 1981
LWT George Hamilton IV
Monday 15th June 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop
Polecats Rockabilly Guy
Fassbender-
Coast to Coast Lets Jump the Broomstick
Tuesday 16th June 1981
BBC1 Ask Aspel
Toyah
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Stiff Little Fingers -
The Tubes -
Jim Steinman -
Spirit -
TV Smith’s Explorers – Have Fun, The Perfect Life
The Psychedelic Furs -
Tyne-
David Essex
Hot Gossip
Kim Wilde
Wednesday 17th June 1981
BBC1 The Music Of Wall Street Crash (repeat)
Granada Live From Two
Two Members Of Sky – Tuba Smarties
Granada The Video Entertainers
Elaine Paige
Tammy Cline
Madeline Bell
Thursday 18th June 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Peter Powell
no theme
Linx -
Phil Collins -
Odyssey -
Kool & The Gang -
Champaign -
Siouxsie & The Banshees -
Charts 30 -
The Specials -
Charts 20 -
Imagination -
Charts 10 -
Smokey Robinson -
Granada Celebration 10:30 -
New Order (debut TV Appearance)
Friday 19th June 1981
Granada Get It Together (repeat)
The Vapours
The Inmates
Sunday 21st June 1981
ITV Royal Progress
Garth Hewett
LWT The South Bank Show 10:30 -
Rhythm & Blues -
LWT George Hamilton IV
Monday 22nd June 1981
ITV Now For Nookie
Clodagh Rodgers
Tuesday 23rd June 1981
No Old Grey Whistle Test
Tyne-
Chas and Dave
Linda Nolan
Suzi Quatro
Wednesday 24th June 1981
BBC2 Let The Music Talk 8:05 -
Alex Pascall Talks To Eddy Grant, The Real Thing
Granada The Video Entertainers
Patti Boulaye
Eve Graham
Thursday 25th June 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Simon Bates
No theme
Gillan -
Elaine Paige -
Kirsty MacColl -
Evasions -
Charts 30 -
Randy Crawford -
Charts 20 -
Depeche Mode -
Charts 10 -
Michael Jackson -
Quincy Jones -
BBC1 A Love Letter To Jack Benny 9:25 -
Frank Sinatra
Friday 26th June 1981
Granada Get It Together (repeat)
Saturday 27th June 1982
LWT In Concert Special: Engelbert Humperdinck
ATV Murphy’s America
Rod Stewart, Pat Boone talk about Hollywood
Sunday 28th June 1981
LWT George Hamilton IV
Tuesday 30th June 1981
BBC2 Ain’t Many Angels 7:35 -
Musical By Ken Howard And Alan Blakley
No Old Grey Whistle Test
Tyne-
Toyah Wilcox
Rick Wakeman
Southern Day By Day 6:00 -
The Tubes Interviewed By Chris Peacock
Wednesday 1st July 1981
BBC1 Three Of A Kind (first edition)
Toni Basil
Granada The Video Entertainers
Tony Christie
The Dooleys
ATV It’s A Musical World
Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent
Barbara Dickson
Thursday 2nd July 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
Specials Ghost Town
Rainbow Can’t Happen Here (Promo)
Bad Manners Can Can
Barry Biggs Wide Awake In A Dream
Michael Jackson One Day In Your Life (Legs & Co) (& Credits)
Quincy Jones Razzamatazz (Legs & Co)
Linx Throw Away The Key
Third World Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love) (Promo)
Friday 3rd July 1981
BBC1 Grace Kennedy (repeat of BBC2 show)
Granada Get It Together (repeat)
Saturday 4th July 1981
BBC1 Pop Quiz 6:15 -
Panel: Roger Taylor (captain), Suzi Quatro & Cozy Powell vs Paul Jones (captain), Chris Neil & David Grant
LWT In Concert Special -
Yorkshire The Monte Carlo Show
Kris Kristofferson
Sunday 5th July 1981
Yorkshire In Concert
Mike Oldfield
Monday 6th July 1981
BBC2 Sing Country 9:00 -
Tammy Wynette
Marty Robbins
Tuesday 7th July 1981
BBC1 Goin’ Coconuts 7:25 -
Donny & Marie Osmond
BBC2 Rhythm on 2
Don Lusher, Laurie Holloway, Kai Winding
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Duran Duran – Anyone Out There
Live Wire -
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers -
Billy Squire -
Paul Gambaccini -
Richard Strange -
Tyne-
Madness -
Toni Basil
Ying Tong John -
Thames The Jim Davidson (repeat)
The Joe Fenton Four (reggae band)
Wednesday 8th July 1981
BBC1 Three Of A Kind 8:30 -
Amii Stewart
Granada The Video Entertainers
Poacher
Thursday 9th July 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
NB The 900th edition
Hosts: Jimmy Savile, Alan Freeman, Pete Murray
NB The first edition with the new opening credits and Yellow Pearl theme by Midge Ure and Phil Lynott
The Specials -
Billy.J.Kramer & The Dakotas Little Children (Repeat)
Kirsty Maccoll There’s A Guy Works Down The Chipshop....
Rolling Stones The Last Time (Repeat)
Supremes Baby Love (Repeat)
The Beatles I Want To Hold Your Hand (film Clip)
The Beatles Twist & Shout (film clip)
Imagination Body Talk
Randy Crawford You Might Need Somebody
Bob Marley & The Wailers No Woman No Cry (Promo)
Dave Clark 5 Bits & Pieces (Repeat)
Tom Tom Club Wordy Rapping Hood (Legs & Co)
M Pop Musik (Repeat)
Motorhead Motorhead (live clip)
Friday 10th July 1981
BBC1 Grace Kennedy (repeat of BBC2 show)
Marvin Hamlisch
BBC1 Chance To Sit Down
Drama about ballet with Cherry Gillespie, ex-
BBC1 Satchmo
Louis Armstrong tribute
Granada Get It Together (repeat)
The Nick Straker Band
The Purple Hearts
The Boomtown Rats
Richie Close and Band
Tyne Tees Razzamatazz (repeat)
Chas and Dave
Kiki Dee
Showaddywaddy
Saturday 11th July 1981
BBC1 Get Set For Summer 9:30 -
Host: Peter Powell
Kiki Dee
BBC1 Pop Quiz
Panel: Tim Rice (Captain), Clem Burke, Billy Currie vs Rick Wakeman (Captain), Mike Berry, John Peel
LWT Guitar 11:30 pm -
Mason Williams
ATV Murphy’s America
Tammy Wynette, Ray Stevens talk about country music
Sunday 14th July 1981
ATV The Muppet Show (repeat)
Alice Cooper
Monday 15th July 1981
BBC2 Sing Country 9:00 – 9:50 pm
Jerry Lee Lewis
Carl Perkins
Frank Ifield
Tyne Tees Razzamatazz (repeat)
Adam & The Ants, Chas and Dave, Kiki Dee, Showaddywaddy
ITV Time For Nookie
Lulu
Tuesday 14th July 1981
BBC2 Old Grey Whistle Test
Joe Jackson Band -
The Au Pairs -
Slow Children -
David Hepworth reviews recent rock books
The Byrds -
Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty -
Joy Division -
Jim Carroll Band -
Thames White Light
content unknown
Tyne-
Kate Bush
Bucks Fizz
The Heartbeats
Wednesday 15th July 1981
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Sheena Easton (as a part of a For Your Eyes Only special feature)
Granada The Video Entertainers
Madeline Bell
Gilbert O’Sullivan
Elaine Paige
Thursday 16th July 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Peter Powell
Specials Ghost Town (Promo)
Kate Bush Sat In Your Lap (Promo)
Bad Manners Can Can (Repeat)
Depeche Mode New Life
Dexy's Midnight Runners Show Me
Jacksons Walk Right Now (Legs & Co)
Saxon Never Surrender
Spandau Ballet Chant No.1
Third World Dancing On The Floor (Promo)
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Hazel O’Connor
Friday 17th July 1981
BBC1 Grace Kennedy (repeat of BBC2 show)
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Rita Coolidge
Saturday 18th July 1981
BBC1 Get Set For Summer 9:30 -
The Jam -
BBC1 Pop Quiz 6:35 -
Panel: Jake Burns (Captain), Robert Plant & Dave Edmunds Vs Bev Bevan (Captain), Helen Shapiro & Graham Gouldman.
ATV Let’s Rock 11:35 pm -
NB Jack Good tells the Daily Mirror "I'd love to do the Six-
Prod: Jack Good
Lulu
Joe Brown
Alvin Stardust
Shakin’ Stevens
Billy ‘GBH’ Hartnell
Sunday 19th July 1981
LWT 20th Century Box
Revolution in Rock
John Lydon, The Police play live, Andy Summers, The Belle Stars, Charlie Gillett, Joe Strummer, Chris Hill, Terry Hall, Phil Oakey, Elvis Costello plays live
Monday 20th July 1981
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Marion Montgomery and Laurie Holloway
BBC2 Sing Country
Jimmy C Newman
Tuesday 21st July 1981
BBC1 Ask Aspel
Paul Nicholas
ATV Years Of Lightning: 1963 7:00 -
Clips of The Beatles, The Searchers
Tyne-
Shakin’ Stevens
The Shakin’ Pyramids
Wednesday 22nd July 1981
BBC1 Three Of A Kind
Hank Marvin
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Alan J Lerner
Thursday 23rd July 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Richard Skinner
Abba Lay All Your Love On Me (Legs & Co)
The Specials Ghost Town (Repeat)
Gidea Park Beach Boy Gold
Reo Speedwagon Take It On The Run (promo)
Shakin’ Stevens Green Door
Sheena Easton For Your Eyes Only (promo)
Tight Fit Back To The Sixties
The Vapors Jimmy Jones
Visage Visage (promo)
Starsound Stars On 45 Vol.2 (play out disc / Legs & Co)
BBC1 The Good Old Days
Vince Hill
BBC2 The Six-
Paul Jones
Shakin’ Stevens
Friday 24th July 1981
BBC1 Grace Kennedy (repeat of BBC2 show)
Saturday 25th July 1981
BBC1 Get Set For Summer
Guest Presenter: Pauline Black (The Selecter)
Spandau Ballet
BBC1 Pop Quiz
Panel -
BBC1 Summertime Special
Bucks Fizz
LWT Russ Abbot’s Saturday Madhouse
The Three Degrees
ATV Let’s Rock
Lulu
Joe Brown
Alvin Stardust
Shakin’ Stevens
Sunday 26th July 1981
LWT 20th Century Box
The Rise of the Independents
Safari Records, Stiff Records, Cherry Red, Spartan Records
The Belle Stars, The Extroverts, John Lydon, Orange Juice, Toyah, Graham Lewis (Wire)
Monday 27th July 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 10:15 -
BBC1 Sing Country
Johnny Cash and June Carter
Tuesday 28th July 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 10:15 -
Dave Edmunds, Duran Duran
BBC1 News
Mike Oldfield Royal Wedding anthem
BBC2 Vic Damone Says ‘Make Someone Happy’
NB A Six Fifty-
BBC2 Rhythm on 2
The Tony Evans Big Band
Tyne-
Chas & Dave
Ray Jackson
Madness (Promo)
No Dice (Promo)
Thames Diana Ross Special 11:00 -
Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas
Wednesday 29th July 1981 Public Holiday (Royal Wedding)
BBC2 A Musical Railway Celebration
The Five Penny Piece
BBC2 A Stylish Affair (Six Fifty-
Mike McGear
BBC2 Louis Armstrong Anniversary Concert
ITV Saturday Night Fever 7:15 -
Thursday 30th July 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 10:15 -
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Steve Wright
Bill Wyman -
Stevie Wonder Happy Birthday (Promo)
Depeche Mode New Life
Duran Duran Girls On Film
Kim Wilde Water On Glass
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Hooked On Classics (Legs & Co)
Shakin Stevens Green Door (Repeat)
Spandau Ballet Chant No.1 (Promo)
Undertones Julie Ocean
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Chris Deburgh, B A Robertson
Friday 31st July 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 10:15 -
The Beat, Keith Marshall
BBC1 Grace Kennedy (repeat of BBC2 series)
BBC2 Fundamental Frolics 9:00 -
MENCAP Benefit Show
Elvis Costello – Gloomy Sunday
Jon Anderson
Neil Innes
Alan Price
LWT George Hamilton IV
Saturday 1st August 1981
BBC1 Get Set For Summer
David Essex
The Nolans
BBC1 Pop Quiz
Panel -
BBC1 Summertime Special
Dollar
BBC1 My Kind Of Music 10:50 -
Lulu
Shakin’ Stevens
ATV Let’s Rock
Lulu
Shakin’ Stevens
Joe Brown
Sunday 2nd August 1981
LWT 20th Century Box
The rise of record producers
Martin Rushent, Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, George Martin. Charlie Gillett, Suzi Quatro, Mickie Most, John Lydon, Nigel Gray, Phil Oakey (Human League), Vangelis
LWT The Palace Presents 11:40 pm -
Host: Jack Jones (all editions)
Roger Miller
Monday 3rd August 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 10:10 – 10:30 am (repeat)
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
George Melly, Kenny Baker, Ronnie Scott
BBC2 Peggy Lee Entertains
NB Recorded at Pebble Mill, Birmingham
Tyne Tees Razzamatazz (repeat)
Suzi Quatro, Chas and Dave
Tuesday 4th August 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 10:15 – 10:35 am (repeat)
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Ralph Mctell
BBC2 Rhythm on 2 (repeat)
George Shearing
Tyne-
Darts
Kirsty MacColl
ATV Years Of Lightning: 1967 (Shown On Thames)
Paul Mccartney, Mick Jagger
ATV Years Of Lightning: 1970
Wednesday 5th August 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 9:40 – 10:00 am (repeat)
BBC1 The Six Fifty-
Georgie Fame & Annie Ross
Thames The Big Top Special
Pat Boone
Showaddywaddy
Thursday 6th August 1981
BBC1 Looking Good, Feeling Fit
Kate Bush (in a dance studio)
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Jimmy Savile
Dexy's Midnight Runners Show Me
Gidea Park Beachboy Gold
Human League Love Action
Lobo Caribbean Disco Show (Legs & Co)
Reo Speedwagon Take It On The Run (Promo)
Shakin’ Stevens Green Door (Promo)
Sheena Easton For Your Eyes Only (Promo)
Ten Pole Tudor Wunderbar
Tight Fit Back To The Sixties (Promo)
Friday 7th August 1981
BBC1 Humphrey Littleton and His Band
LWT George Hamilton IV
Saturday 8th August 1981
BBC1 Get Set For Summer
Guest Host: Suzi Quatro
Duran Duran
BBC1 Pop Quiz
Panel -
BBC1 Summertime Special
Shakin’ Stevens
ATV Let’s Rock 11:35 pm -
Lulu
Alvin Stardust
Shakin' Stevens'
Freddie Fingers Lee
Billy GBH Hartman
Bogdan
Den Hegarty
Sunday 9th August 1981
LWT 20th Century Box
Lover’s Rock
Carol Thompson, Bernadette Cheer, Leonard Ching boss of Ital Records, Sugar Minott, Donna Roadman and Lorna Pier
Monday 10th August 1981
BBC2 Anne Murray And Her Music 9:00 -
Ralpn McTell
Tuesday 11th August 1981
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
NB New Orleans Jazz Special
Dr John
The Chris Barber Band
BBC2 Elvis Lives Repeat 8:35 -
Tyne-
content unknown
Thames The Jim Davidson Show
The Dooleys
Wednesday 12th August 1981
BBC1 Marti Caine 8:15 -
Billy Preston
BBC1 A Little Night Music 11:10 -
John Martyn
BBC2 Stiff Little Fingers and U2 10:10 -
Live At Queen’s University, Belfast
Thames The Big Top Variety Show
Joe Brown
Sacha Distel
Thursday 13th August 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Simon Bates
Royal Philharmonic Orch With Louis Clark Hooked On Classics (Promo)
Soft Cell Tainted Love
Aneka Japanese Boy
Bill Wyman (Si Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star (repeat)
Duran Duran Girls On Film
ELO Hold On Tight (promo)
Kim Wilde Water On Glass (repeat)
Startrax Startrax Club Disco (Legs & Co)
Shakin’ Stevens Green Door
Friday 14th August 1981
BBC1 The Monkees
BBC1 Barbara Dickson And Her Band
Saturday 15th August 1981
BBC1 Get Set For Summer
Shakin’ Stevens
Hazel O’Connor
BBC1 Speedway Elvis Presley movie
BBC1 Summertime Special
The Nolans
BBC1 My Kind Of Music
Gilbert O’Sullivan -
ATV Let’s Rock
Lulu
Den Heggarty
Joe Brown
Alvin Stardust
LWT The Palace Presents
Host: Jack Jones
Sunday 16th August 1981
LWT 20th Century Box
Rockabilly
With Dave Edmunds, The Shakin' Pyramids, The Cyclones
ITV Elvis -
Monday 17th August 1981
BBC2 Iris Williams 9:00 -
Gerard Kenny
George Shearing
Tuesday 18th August 1981
BBC2 Six Fifty-
The Hee Bee Gee Bees
Tyne-
Wednesday 19th August 1981
BBC1 Marti Caine (repeat)
The Korgis
Kiki Dee
BBC1 A Little Night Music 11:10 -
Richard & Linda Thompson
Thames The Big Top Variety Show
David Essex
Bucks Fizz
Thursday 20th August 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:25 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
NB The Daily Mirror had REO Speedwagon as appearing. Michael Hurll admits to the Daily Mirror that he was dreading The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra getting to number one as they would have to make a live appearance and he wouldn’t know how to stage them in the studio
Randy Crawford Rainy Night In Georgia (Legs & Co)
Siouxsie & The Banshees Arabian Nights (Promo)
Enigma I Love Music
Human League Love Action (promo)
Lobo The Caribbean Disco Show
Shakin’ Stevens Green Door (repeat)
Ten Pole Tudor Wunderbar
U2 Fire
UB40 One In Ten
BBC2 Folk 9:00 -
17th Cambridge Folk Festival
John Sebastian
The Chieftains
Thames The Andy Williams Show
Friday 21st August 1981
BBC1 The Model Shop 1969 movie with Spirit
BBC1 The Monkees (repeat)
BBC1 Tom Paxton 10:15 -
BBC2 The Six Fifty-
Stutz Bearcats
Kevin Peek (of Sky who also composed the show’s theme tune)
Saturday 22nd August 1981
BBC1 The Monkees
BBC1 Summertime Special
Joe Brown
Kate Robbins
BBC1 Pop Quiz
Panel -
ATV Let’s Rock
Lulu
Joe Brown
Shakin’ Stevens
The Cats
The Bopettes
Alvin Stardust
Shakin’ Stevens
Sunday 23rd August 1981
LWT 20th Century Box
Box Goes East (Essex)
Depeche Mode, Naked Lunch, Mickey Jupp, Chris Hill (DJ and record label boss)
LWT My Way 6:55 -
Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens)
Monday 24th August 1981
BBC1 Toyah At The Rainbow 6:50 -
Tuesday 25th August 1981
Tyne-
Chas and Dave
Adam Ant
Wednesday 26th August 1981
BBC1 Marti Caine
Showaddywaddy
Joe (South African singing group)
BBC1 A Little Night Music
The Blues Band
Thursday 27th August 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:25 -
Host: Richard Skinner
Genesis Abacab
Cliff Richard Wired For Sound (Promo)
Rolling Stones Start Me (Promo)
Nolans Chemistry
Soft Cell Tainted Love
Ultravox The Thin Wall
Aneka Japanese Boy
ELO Hold On Tight (Legs & Co)
Startrax Startrax Club Disco
BBC2 Folk
Donovan
The Roches
Friday 28th August 1981
BBC1 The Five Penny Piece (repeat)
Saturday 29th August 1981
BBC1 The Monkees
BBC1 Pop Quiz
Panel -
BBC1 Summertime Special
Lulu
Showaddywaddy
BBC1 My Kind Of Music
Alan Price
BBC2 If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium movie with Donovan
Sunday 30th August 1981
BBC1 To The Count Of Basie
Count Basie tribute
Annie Ross
LWT 20th Century Box
Pop videos with Visage (Steve Strange, Chris Cross), Pete Townshend
Monday 31st August 1981 Bank Holiday
BBC1 Jim’ll Fix It
Bucks Fizz
BBC2 Iris Williams
Gerard Kenny
Tuesday 1st September 1981
Granada Get It Together (first in new series)
Cliff Richard
Thames Frankie Howard Strikes Again 9:30 -
Neil Innes
Wednesday 2nd September 1981
BBC1 Marti Caine (repeat)
Judie Tzuke
Thursday 3rd September 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:15 -
Host: Peter Powell
Soft Cell -
John Foxx Europe -
Bucks Fizz One Of Those Nights
Dollar Hand Held In Black & White
Gary Numan Shes Got Claws
Pointer Sisters Slowhand (Legs & Co)
Modern Romance Everybody Salsa
OMD Souvenir
Teardrop Explodes Passionate Friend
UB40 One In Ten (repeat)
Funkapolitan As Time Goes By (playout disc)
BBC2 Folk
Cambridge Folk Festival
The Macalmans
Steeleye Span
Jake Thackray
Saturday 5th September 1981
BBC1 Summertime Special
Barbara Dickson
The Dooleys
BBC1 My Kind Of Music
Barbara Dickson
Colin Blunstone
ATV Tiswas 10:30 am -
Host: Sally James, Den Heggarty, Gordon Astley, Fogwell Flax
content unknown
Sunday 6th September 1981
BBC1 Gary Numan Farewell Show 4:25 -
Live at Wembley Arena
Monday 7th September 1981
BBC1 A Little Night Music
Davey Graham
Tyne Tees Razzamatazz (repeat)
Thames The Monte Carlo Show
David Essex
Helen Reddy
Tuesday 8th September 1981
Granada Get It Together
content unknown
Thames Frankie Howard Strikes Again
Neil Innes
Thursday 10th September 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Jimmy Savile
Cliff Richard Wired For Sound (Promo)
The Hollies (with Graham Nash) Holliedaze
Rolling Stones Start Me Up (Promo)
Adam & The Ants Prince Charming (Promo)
Alvin Stardust Pretend
Imagination In & Out Of Love (Repeat)
Randy Crawford Rainy Night In Georgia (Promo)
Soft Cell Tainted Love (Repeat)
Ottawan Hands Up Give Me Your Heart (Legs & Co)
Linx So This Is Romance
BBC2 Folk
John Cooper-
Fred Wedlock
Friday 11th September 1981
Southern Candy movie with Ringo Starr
Saturday 12th September 1981
BBC1 The Monkees
BBC1 Summertime Special
Dana
ATV Tiswas
Rick Wakeman
Ultravox
Chas and Dave
Sunday 13th September 1981
BBC1 Did You Miss Me (repeat of Arena show)
Gary Glitter
LWT The Palace Presents
Host: Jack Jones
Monday 14th September 1981
BBC1 A Little Night Music 11:25 -
The M Factor With Robin Scott
BBC2 Dolly Parton On Tour 9:00 -
ITV Come Taste The Wine
Anita Harris, The Wurzels
Tuesday 15th September 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Kiki Dee
Granada Get It Together
Chas and Dave
Thames Frankie Howerd Strikes Again
Neil Innes
Wednesday 16th September 1981
Granada Live From Two
Barry Mason two Songs
Thames The Andy Williams Show (repeat)
Thursday 17th September 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Steve Wright
Adam & The Ants Prince Charming (Promo)
Beggar & Co Mule (Chant No.2)
Bucks Fizz One Of Those Nights (repeat)
Gidea Park Seasons Of Gold
Godley & Creme Under Your Thumb
Hi Gloss You’ll Never Know (Legs & Co)
OMD Souvenir (repeat)
Pointer Sisters Slowhand (promo)
Sheena Easton Just Another Broken Heart
Teardrop Explodes Passionate Friend (repeat)
Tweets Birdie Song
BBC2 Schools Prom
Ronnie Scott
BBC2 Folk
Dave Van Ronk
Ossian
Derek Brimstone
Friday 18th September 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Steeleye Span
Saturday 19th September 1981
ATV Tiswas
content unknown
Sunday 20th September 1981
BBC1 Rolf’s Here Ok? 6:01 -
The Polecats
Tuesday 22nd September 1981
Granada Get It Together
Alvin Stardust
The Polecats
Thames Frankie Howard Strikes Again
Neil Innes
Wednesday 23rd September 1981
Thames The Andy Williams Show (repeat)
Henry Mancini
Thursday 24th September 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill At One
Donovan
BBC1 Top Of The Pops7:20 -
Host: Simon Bates
Depeche Mode -
Japan -
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie Endless Love (Legs & Co)
Adam & The Ants Prince Charming (Promo)
Alvin Stardust Pretend (Repeat)
Imagination In & Out Of Love
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin Its My Party
Heaven 17 Play To Win
Linx So This Is Romance (repeat)
Madness Shut Up (promo)
Police Invisible Sun (promo)
Slade Lock Up Your Daughters
BBC2 Scene: Food, Food, Glorious Food (schools programme)
Kate Bush
Thames Thanks A Million…And More!
NB A Thames Telethon update show
The Drifters
Friday 25th September 1981
BBC2 Something Else 6:55 -
Angelic Upstarts
Tygers of Pan Tang
BBC2 Songs of Europe 8:15 – 9:25 pm
A Eurovision Song Contest special with clips from Dana, Abba, Sandie Shaw etc
BBC2 World’s End (first of thirteen)
Theme By Alan Price
Saturday 26th September 1981
BBC1 The Monkees (repeat)
ATV Tiswas
Toyah Wilcox
Sunday 27th September 1981
BBC1 Rolf’s Here OK?
Coast To Coast
Monday 28th September 1981
BBC1 A Little Night Music
Neil Ardley & Barbara Thompson
BBC2 Des O’Connor Tonight
Lena Zavaroni
BBC2 The Innes Book Of Records (first of second series)
Kenny Everett
Thames The Monte Carlo Show
Dionne Warwick
Tuesday 29th September 1981
Granada Get It Together 4:20 -
Adam & The Ants
The Black Cats
Thames Frankie Howard Strikes Again
Neil Innes
Thursday 1st October 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Mike Read
Altered Images -
Adam & The Ants Prince Charming (Promo)
Bad Manners Walking In The Sunshine (promo)
Creatures Mad Eyed Screamer
Dollar Hand Held In Black & White
Gidea Park Seasons Of Gold
Godley & Creme Under Your Thumb
Ottawan Hands Up Give Me Your Heart (Legs & Co)
Sheena Easton Just Another Broken Heart
Teardrop Explodes Passionate Friend
Toyah Thunder In The Mountains
Tweets Birdie Song (with Legs & Co)
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test
Futurama Rock 80, The Queen’s Hall, Leeds
Classix Nouveaux -
Acrobats Of Desire -
The League Of Gentlemen -
Young Marble Giants -
The Not Sensibles -
Vice Versa (With Martin Fry) -
Hazel O’Connor & The Megahype -
Friday 2nd October 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC2 Something Else (made by Paul Weller)
The Jam
The Questions
Dolly Mixture
Thames White Light
content unknown
Saturday 3rd October 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop (first in new series)
BA Robertson
ATV Tiswas
Bad Manners
Human League
ATV Portrait of a Legend: Olivia Newton-
Sunday 4th October 1981
BBC2 Barbara Mandrell And The Mandrell Sisters
Dolly Parton
LWT The Palace Presents
Lou Rawls
Vikki Carr
Eddie Fisher
Monday 5th October 1981
BBC2 The Innes Book Of Records
John Cooper-
Tuesday 6th October 1981
Granada Get It Together
Top Secret
Thames Frankie Howard Strikes Again
Neil Innes
Wednesday 7th October 1981
Granada Live From Two
Eddi & Sunshine – Another Tear Falls
Thursday 8th October 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
Elvis Costello & The Attractions A Good Year For The Roses (Promo)
Adam & The Ants Prince Charming (Promo)
Barry Manilow Let’s Hang On (Promo)
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin It’s My Party (repeat)
Depeche Mode I Just Can’t Get Enough (repeat)
Human League Open Your Heart
Japan Quiet Life (repeat)
Madness Shut Up
Shakin’ Stevens Its Raining
Slade Lock Up Your Daughters (repeat)
Tight Fit Back To The Sixties Part 2
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle 11:35 pm -
Futurama Rock 80, The Queens Hall, Leeds
The Flowers -
Boots For Dancing -
Music For Pleasure -
The Soft Boys -
Guy Jackson -
Athletico Spizz 80 -
Echo & The Bunnymen -
Friday 9th October 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
The Barron Knights
BBC2 Something Else (Bristol)
The Beat
Talisman
Thames White Light
content unknown
Saturday 10th October 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Dr Hook
Toyah
BBC1 Parkinson
Andy Williams
ATV Tiswas
Sheena Easton
Sunday 11th October 1981
BBC1 Barara Mandrell
Andre Crouch
Kenny Rogers
Monday 12th October 1981
BBC2 The Innes Book Of Records 10:20 -
Neil Innes
Ivor Cutler
Tuesday 13th October 1981
Granada Get It Together
content unknown
Wednesday 14th October 1981
BBC1 Happy Birthday Las Vegas
Tony Bennett, Anthony Newley, Liberace, Neil Sedaka, Wayne Newton
Thames The Andy Williams Show
Thursday 15th October 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Dave Jensen
NB The Last appearance by Legs and Co
Gary Glitter And Then She Kissed Me
Squeeze Labelled With Love
Altered Images Happy Birthday (repeat)
B.A.Robertson & Maggie Bell Hold Me
Bad Manners Walking In The Sunshine
Creatures Mad Eyed Screamer
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin Its My Party
Exploited Dead Cities
Godley & Creme Under Your Thumb (repeat)
Tweets The Birdie Song (Legs & Co)
This Year's Blonde Platinum Pop (playout disc)
Toyah Thunder In The Mountains (promo)
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test
Futurama Rock 80, The Queens Hall, Leeds
Durrutti Column -
Artery -
The Frantic Elevators (with Mick Hucknall) -
Or Was He Pushed? -
I’m So Hollow -
Blah Blah Blah -
Eaten Alive by Insects -
Altered Images -
Friday 16th October 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC2 Something Else (Bangor)
The Raincoats
Fay Ray
Thames White Light 5:15 -
content unknown
Granada Live From Two
Tommy Steele
The Polecats – Rock With The Caveman, Singing The Blues
Saturday 17th October 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
content unknown
ATV Tiswas
Robert Plant
Cozy Powell
Sunday 18th October 1981
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Glen Campbell
Alabama
LWT The Palace Presents
Host: Jack Jones
Monday 19th October 1981
BBC2 Des O’Connor Tonight
The Nolans
BBC2 The Innes Book Of Records
Neil Innes
Tuesday 20th October 1981
BBC2 Russel Harty
Grace Kennedy
Granada Get It Together
Kirsty MacColl
Madness
Secret Affair
Granada Live From Two
Andy Williams
Wednesday 21st October 1981
BBC1 Parkinson
George Shearing
ATV Starburst
Chas and Dave
Thursday 22nd October 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Jimmy Savile
Elvis Costello & The Attractions A Good Year For The Roses (Promo)
Jam Absolute Beginners
Four Tops When She Was My Girl (Promo / Zoo)
Barry Manilow Let’s Hang On (Promo)
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin Its My Party (repeat)
Gillan Nightmare (promo)
Human League Open Your Heart (promo)
The Police Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (promo)
Shakin’ Stevens It’s Raining
This Year's Blonde Platinum Pop
Granada Celebration
Fairport Convention Live
Friday 23rd October 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC1 (South East) On The Town 10:15 -
Randy Edelman
BBC1 (local) Lulu 10:15 -
Live At Blazers, Windsor
BBC1 (West) Radio One Goes West 10:15 -
content unknown
BBC2 Something Else
Kirsty Maccoll
Dodo Vision
Thames Just For Fun 1963 movie with Bobby Vee, The Crickets Etc
Thames White Light
Ian Dury
Linx
Granada Live From Two
Andy Williams
Saturday 24th October 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Karen Carpenter
Human League
BBC1 Parkinson
Mel Torme
ATV Tiswas
content unknown
ATV Portrait of a Legend: Kris Kristofferson
Sunday 25th October 1981
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Charlie Daniels
LWT Darts In Concert (repeat)
Monday 26th October 1981
BBC2 Des O’Connor
Cleo Laine
Tuesday 27th October 1981
BBC2 The Other Music
The folk revival from 1945 to now
Steeleye Span, The Watersons, Alan Lomax
Wednesday 28th October 1981
ATV Starburst
Lonnie Donegan
Ray Ellington
Thursday 29th October 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Simon Bates
Squeeze Labelled With Love
Altered Images Happy Birthday
B.A.Robertson & Maggie Bell Hold Me
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin Its My Party (promo)
Haircut 100 Favourite Shirt (Boy Meets Girl)
Olivia Newton-
OMD Joan Of Arc
Rod Stewart Tonight Im Yours (promo)
The Fureys With Davey Arthur When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Trevor Walters Love Me Tonight
Friday 30th October 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC2 Something Else (Aberdeen)
The Delta Five
Toyah
Granada Get It Together
Gary Glitter
Thames White Light
Saturday 31st October 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Petula Clark
Shakin’ Stevens
BBC1 Parkinson
Toyah
Peter Skellern
ATV Tiswas
Gillan
LWT Johnny Carson
Sammy Davis Jr
ATV Portrait of a Legend: Andy Williams
Sunday 1st November 1981
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Hoyt Axton
Charlie Pride
Monday 2nd November 1981
BBC2 The Innes Book Of Records
Neil Innes
Vivian Stanshall
Tuesday 3rd November 1981
BBC2 Russell Harty 8:30 -
Elvis Costello -
Granada Get It Together
Toyah Wilcox
Mandy Webb
Wednesday 4th November 1981
ATV Starburst
Randy Crawford
Stutz Bear Cays
Thursday 5th November 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Peter Powell
ABC Tears Are Not Enough
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin It’s My Party (repeat)
Dukes Mystery Girl
Jets Yes Tonight Josephine
Julio Iglesias Begin The Beguine (promo)
Modern Romance Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
Police Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (promo)
Rush Tom Sawyer (promo)
ELO Twilight (Zoo)
BBC2 Happy Endings
First of six shows written and starting Peter Skellern
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Futurama Rock 80, The Queen's Hall, Leeds
Tribesman -
Blurt -
Danse Society -
Naked Lunch -
Clock DVA -
Souxsie & The Banshees -
Friday 6th November 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC2 Something Else (Central London)
Depeche Mode
Orange Juice
BBC2 Newsnight
The Rolling Stones Interviewed In Orlando, Florida
BBC2 Friday Night Saturday Morning
Elkie Brooks
Thames White Light
Granada Celebration
John Lennon: Dream Weaver, Creation Of The Everyman Theatre’s Musical About Lennon
LWT Johnny Carson
Sheena Easton
LWT The Palace Presents
Host: Jack Jones
Saturday 7th November 1981
BBC 1 Parkinson
Ian Dury
ATV Tiswas
The Jam interview
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
LWT Tonight With Johnny Carson
Sheena Easton
Sunday 8th November 1981
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Paul Anka
T G Shepperd
LWT The South Bank Show
Elvis Costello In Nashville
Monday 9th November 1981
BBC2 The Des O’Connor Show
Mirielle Matthieu
BBC2 The Innes Book Of Records
Neil Innes
Tuesday 10th November 1981
Granada Get It Together
Granada Live From Two
Darts
Wednesday 11th November 1981
BBC1 Parkinson
Sundance (with Mary Hopkin) -
ATV Starburst
Pearly Gates
Thursday 12th November 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Dave Lee Travis
Kool & The Gang Steppin’ Out
Ultravox The Voice
Earth Wind & Fire Lets Groove (Zoo)
Fureys & Davey Arthur When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Haircut 100 Favourite Shirts
Olivia Newton-
OMD Joan Of Arc (repeat)
Police Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (promo)
Rod Stewart Tonight Im Yours (promo)
BBC2 Russell Harty
The Tweets (The Birdie Song hit-
BBC2 40 Minutes: Rocky Circus 9:30 -
Gary Glitter Show At Gerry Cottle’s Circus, June 1981
Thames Miss World 1981
Helen Reddy
Friday 13th November 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
The Grumbleweeds
BBC1 Nationwide
Abbey Road article with Helen Shapiro, Kate Bush
Thames White Light
content unknown
Anglia News
Radio Caroline’s Return
Granada Live From Two
Nine Below Zero – Eleven Plus Eleven
Saturday 14th November 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
10CC
Brown Sauce With Dave Edmunds
BBC1 Parkinson
Diana Ross
Helen Reddy
ATV Tiswas
The Beat
LWT Star Parade
Billly Swan
5000 Volts
Sunday 15th November 1981
Granada Reports Action
Ian Dury
Tuesday 17th November 1981
Granada Get It Together
content unknown
Thames Give Us A Clue
Suzi Quatro
Wednesday 18th November 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Sundance (Incl Mary Hopkin) – What’s Love, Cottonfields
Granada Live From Two
Victor Spinetti Talks About John Lennon
Group From Stage Play Lennon Play Two Songs
Thursday 19th November 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Steve Wright
Diana Ross Why Do Fools Fall In Love (Promo)
Queen & David Bowie Under Pressure (Zoo)
Soft Cell Bedsitter (Promo)
ABC Tears Are Not Enough (promo)
Fun Boy Three The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum
Julio Iglesias Begin The Beguine (Volver A Empezar) (promo)
Modern Romance Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
Pretenders I Go To Sleep
Trevor Walters Love Me Tonight
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Rick Wakeman At The Hammersmith Odeon
Friday 20th November 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC1 Tommy Steele -
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show 7:00 -
Hosts: Jackie Spreckley, Robert Elms
Japan
BBC2 Friday Night Saturday Morning
Kate Bush
Thames White Light
content unknown
Granada Live From Two
Kid Creole
Saturday 21st November 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
content unknown
BBC1 Parkinson
Glen Campbell
ATV Tiswas
content unknown
LWT Tonight With Johnny Carson
Dolly Parton
Barbara Mandrell
LWT The Palace Presents
Host: Jack Jones
ATV Portrait Of A Legend: Kenny Rogers
Sunday 22nd November 1981
BBC1 See Hear
Cliff Richard
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Monday 23rd November 1981
BBC2 Cliff! 8:10 -
Documentary series about Cliff Richard
1: Rock N Roll Juvenile
Adam Faith, Marty Wilde
BBC2 Rhythm on 2
George Shearing
Tuesday 24th November 1981
BBC2 Russell Harty
The Pointer Sisters
Granada Get It Together
Showaddywaddy
Wednesday 25th November 1981
ATV Starburst
The Bootleg Beatles
Matchbox
Granada Live From Two
Miles Copeland
Thursday 26th November 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Mike Read
Cliff Richard Daddy’s Home (Promo)
Earth Wind & Fire Lets Groove (Promo)
Imagination Flashback
Kool & The Gang Steppin’ Out
Ultravox The Voice (Promo)
The Jets Yes Tonight Josephine
Kim Wilde Cambodia
Toyah Good Morning Universe
BBC1 Blankety Blank
Kenny Everett
BBC1 A Love Letter To Jack Benny (repeat)
Frank Sinatra
BBC2 Happy Endings: Sleeping
Peter Skellern Musical Drama
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:10 -
First studio show with an audience
Hosts: Anne Nightingale, Paul Gambaccini, David Hepworth
Altered Images -
The Sound -
New York Dolls -
David Hepworth -
King Crimson -
Friday 27th November 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Cliff Richard presents Nurse of the Year award
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC1 Ned Kelly Movie With Mick Jagger
BBC2The Oxford Road Show
The Blues Band
Hot Gossip (dance troupe)
Granada Live From Two
Gary US Bonds It’s Only Love
Saturday 28th November 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Dollar
BBC1 Parkinson
Billy Eckstein
ATV Tiswas
Cliff Richard
Bucks Fizz
LWT Tonight With Johnny Carson
Dionne Warwick
Buddy Rich
Sunday 29th November 1981
BBC2 Jazz On A Bright Summer’s Day
The West 58 Street Strompers play on a paddle-
LWT The Royal Variety Show
The Searchers
Donovan
Adam & The Ants
Cliff Richard & The Shadows
Lonnie Donegan
Alvin Stardust
Marty Wilde
Acker Bilk
Lulu
Monday 30th November 1981
BBC2 Cliff!
Cliff Richard documentary series
2: Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?
Adam Faith, Olivia Newton-
Tuesday 1st December 1981
Granada Get It Together
Boney M
Mike Holloway
Bob Fish
Thursday 3rd December 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Dave Jensen
Diana Ross Why Do Fools Fall In Love (Zoo)
Status Quo Rock N Roll
Soft Cell Bedsitter
Bad Manners Buona Serra
Duran Duran My Own Way
Fun Boy Three The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum (repeat)
Godley & Creme Wedding Bells (promo)
Human League Don't You Want Me (promo)
Julio Iglesias Begin The Beguine (promo)
BBC2 The Camera And The Song (repeat)
Ralph McTell
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Gary US Bonds -
Foreigner -
TV21 -
David Hepworth interviews Roy Carr about his David Bowie book includes Luv lolly TV advert
Stone The Crows -
Paul Gambaccini -
Friday 4th December 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
The Belle Stars
Granada Live From Two
August Darnell (Kid Creole) Interview And Live At The Ritz, New York
Thames White Light
Bim
Saturday 5th December 1981
BBC1 Multi Coloured Swap Shop
Chas and Dave
BBC1 The Two Ronnies
Kiki Dee -
ATV Tiswas
The Jets
Duran Duran
ATV Portrait of a Legend: The Beach Boys
Southern Star Parade
The Bellamy Brothers
Sunday 6th December 1981
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Larry Gatlin
BBC1 Jock N Roll part one
B.A. Robertson hosts
Lonnie Donegan, Jackie Dennis, Alex Harvey, Billy Lawrie, Junior Campbell, Maggie Bell, Donovan, John Martyn
Monday 7th December 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Vic Damone
BBC2 Cliff
Cliff Richard documentary series
3: Travellin’ Light
BBC2 Rhythm on 2
George Shearing
Tuesday 8th December 1981
BBC2 Russell Harty
The Pointer Sisters
Granada Get It Together
Wednesday 9th December 1981
Thames London Night Out
Cilla Black
Vince Hill
Thursday 10th December 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Jimmy Savile
Abba One Of Us (Promo)
Adam & The Ants Ant Rap (Promo)
Ken Dodd Hold My Hand
Showaddywaddy Footsteps
Bucks Fizz The Land Of Make Believe
Dollar Mirror Mirror (Mon Amour)
Human League Don't You Want Me (promo)
Madness It Must Be Love (promo)
Police Spirits In The Material World
BBC2 The Camera and the Song
Ian Campbell
BBC2 Russell Harty
Gary Glitter
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test
Billy Cobham Drum Clinic
Friday 11th December 1981
BBC1 Pebble Mill
Clodagh Rogers
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
content unknown
Saturday 12th December 1981
BBC1 Swap Shop
Status Quo
BBC2 The Two Ronnies
Randy Crawford – Secret Combination
BBC1 Parkinson
Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach -
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Truk Shakly and the Texas Critters
ATV Tiswas
Showaddywaddy
Kim Wilde
LWT Tonight With Johnny Carson
Kenny Rogers
Sunday 13th December 1981
BBC2 Rhythm on 2
The Tony Evans Big Band
Monday 14th December 1981
BBC2 Cliff
Cliff Richard documentary series
4: My Kinda Life
Granada World In Action 8:00 -
UB40, The Beat
ITV A Star Is Born Movie With Kris Kristofferson
Tuesday 15th December 1981
BBC2 Russell Harty
Kenny Everett
BBC2 Georgie Fame In Concert
The Royal Exchange, Manchester
BBC2 Arena: Brixton to Barbados
Linton Kwesi Johnston: Brixton To Barbados
Granada Get It Together
Sundance (with Mary Hopkin) – What’s Love
Wednesday 16th December 1981
Thames London Night Out
Stutz Bear Cats
Thursday 17th December 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7:20 -
Host: Simon Bates
The Snowmen -
Cliff Richard Daddy’s Home (Repeat)
Status Quo Rock N Roll
Brown Sauce I Wanna Be A Winner (Promo)
Jon & Vangelis I’ll Find My Way Home (Zoo)
Chas & Dave Stars Over 45
Duran Duran My Own Way
Godley & Creme Wedding Bells
Human League Don't You Want Me (promo)
Rod Stewart Young Turks (promo)
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 11:30 pm -
Nils Lofgren -
Burnin’ Red Ivanhoe -
David Hepworth -
Tom Tom Club -
Paul Gambaccini reviews new rock movies Heavy Metal, Christianne F
Paul Gambaccini and David Hepworth reviews new rock books
Friday 18th December 1981
BBC1 Crackerjack
content unknown
BBC2 The Oxford Road Show
The Beat
BBC2 Friday Night Saturday Morning
Malcolm McLaren
Jonathan King
Granada Live From Two
Jools Holland & His Millionaires
Thames White Light
Linx
Saturday 19th December 1981
BBC1 Swap Shop
content unknown
BBC1 The Police Monserrat 81 5:10 -
The Police interviewed by Jools Holland
BBC1 Parkinson
The Bee Gees
Elaine Paige
BBC1 Fundamental Frolics (repeat 31 July 1981)
BBC2 The Young Ones 1961 Cliff Richard and The Shadows movie
ATV Tiswas
The Barron Knights
Rick Wakeman
LWT Johnny Carson Tonight
Diana Ross
LWT Star Parade
Johnnie Ray
Boney M
Yorkshire Marie Gordon Price In Concert
Tony Christie
LWT Punchlines!
Berni Flint
Iris Williams
Sunday 20th December 1981
BBC2 The Man Who Fell To Earth 1976 movie with David Bowie
Anglia Willie Dixon And The New Generation Of Chicago Blues 11:30 pm -
Monday 21st December 1081
LWT Nice To See You!
Marti Webb
Tuesday 22nd December 1981
BBC2 Russell Harty
Hot Gossip
Granada Get It Together
Chas and Dave
Thames White Light
Compilation show
Bow Wow Wow
Classic Nouveau
The Bureau
Thames The Jim Davidson Show
Chas and Dave
ATV Starburst
Petula Clark
ITV Alice In Wonderland
animation with Sammy Davis Jr
Wednesday 23rd December 1981
ITV Tommy Steele’s Quincy’s Quest (repeat)
Thames The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show
Alvin Stardust
Thursday 24th December 1981
BBC1 The Little and Large Show
Madness
Lulu
Stutz Bear Cats
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 6:35 -
Host: David Jensen
Human League -
Elvis Costello -
The Police -
Abba One Of Us (Promo)
Adam & The Ants Ant Rap (Promo)
Kool & The Gang Get Down On It (Zoo)
Altered Images I Could Be Happy
Bucks Fizz The Land Of Make Believe
Dollar Mirror Mirror (Mon Amour)
Wizzard I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
BBC1 The Kenny Everett Television Show 7:45 -
The Police – Spirits In The Material World
BBC2 Summer Holiday Cliff Richard movie
BBC2 Christmas Eve with Pam Ayres and Fivepenny Piece
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test Christmas Special 10:00 – 11:05 pm (simulcast on Radio One)
Toyah At The Theatre Royal, London
BBC2 Russell Harty at Home
Cilla Black – Sing A Rainbow, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
Friday 25th December 1981
BBC1 Top Of The Pops Christmas Special 2:00 -
Host: Andy Peebles, Paul Burnett, Paul Gambaccini, Dave Lee Travis, Adrian Juste, Simon Bates, David Jensen, Tony Blackburn, John Peel, Steve Wright, Peter Powell, Jimmy Savile, Richard Skinner, Mike Read
Altered Images Happy Birthday
Dave Stewart Featuring Colin Blunstone What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
Depeche Mode I Just Can’t Get Enough
Godley & Creme Under Your Thumb
Human League Love Action
Kim Wilde Kids In America
Kirsty MacColl There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop
Linx Intuition
OMD Souvenir
Shakin Stevens You Drive Me Crazy
Spandau Ballet Chant No.1
Teardrop Explodes Reward
The Beat Too Nice To Talk To
Toyah Its A Mystery
Ultravox Vienna
Jacksons Can You Feel It (Zoo)
Laurie Anderson O Superman (Zoo)
BBC1 The Two Ronnies
Sheena Easton
Chas & Dave
BBC1 Christmas With The Spinners
BBC2 Country Holiday 10:30 – 11:15 pm
Recorded at the Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth
Tammy Cline
Little Ginny
Pete Sayers
Lorne Gibson
George Hamilton IV
Saturday 26th December 1981
BBC1 The Mike Yarwood Christmas Show
Bucks Fizz
BBC1 Perry Como’s French Canadian Christmas
BBC1 Barbara Mandrell
Andre Crouch
Bobby Vinton
BBC2 Sky at Westminster Abbey
BBC2 Wonderful Life Cliff Richard movie
ATV Tiswas
Toyah
Bad Manners
LWT An Audience with Dudley Moore
Shirley Bassey
Sunday 27th December 1981
BBC1 The Rock That Doesn’t Roll 10:25 -
Cliff Richard At The Royal Albert Hall, London
BBC2 Olivia Newton-
Cliff Richard, Elton John, Tina Turner, Andy Gibb
ITV A Christmas Messiah
Kiki Dee
Paul Jones
ITV Secombe With Music
Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth
Monday 28th December 1981
BBC1 Val Sings Bing
Val Doonican Bing Crosby tribute
Marti Webb
Vic Damone
Tuesday 29th December 1981
BBC1 Pop Quiz
Panel -
BBC1 Artemis 81 9:00 pm -
Play With Sting
BBC2 The Best of Dean Martin
A compilation of his sixties shows
Wednesday 30th December 1981
BBC1 Cheggers Plays Pop 4:40 -
Bucks Fizz Land of Make Believe
Modern Romance Ay Ay Ay Moosey
Shakin’ Stevens Oh Julie
Special guest appearance from David Jensen
Thursday 31st December 1981
BBC1 Elvis – The Movie 1978 TV movie with Kurt Russell
BBC1 Top Of The Pops 6:00 -
NB Dave Lee Travis was listed as co-
Host: Mike Read
The Number Ones Of The Year
Adam & The Ants Prince Charming (promo)
Adam & The Ants Stand and Deliver (promo)
Aneka Japanese Boy (repeat)
Bucks Fizz Making Your Mind Up (repeat)
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin Its My Party (promo)
Human League Don't You Want Me (promo)
Joe Dolce Music Theatre Shaddup Your Face (promo)
John Lennon Imagine (promo)
John Lennon Woman (promo)
Julio Iglesias Begin The Beguine (promo)
Michael Jackson One Day In Your Life (promo)
Police Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (promo)
Queen & David Bowie Under Pressure (TOTP film)
Roxy Music Jealous Guy (promo)
Shakin’ Stevens Green Door (repeat)
Shakin’ Stevens This Ole House (promo)
Smokey Robinson Being With You (promo)
Soft Cell Tainted Love (repeat)
Specials Ghost Town (repeat)
BBC2 The Old Grey Whistle Test 12:05 -
Pick Of The Year
Bruce Springsteen Insert Quarter To Three (No Nukes)
The Residents Third Reich & Roll (Promo)
Skids An Incident In Algiers
Stiff Little Fingers Barbed Wire Love (Live Film)
Japan My New Career
Pretenders Stop Your Sobbing (Live Film)
Zoom Lens Running In Mazes (Filmfinders Clip)
Spirit Turn To The Right
Doors Break On Through (Promo Clip)
John Martyn (With Phil Collins) Sweet Little Mystery
Jack Bruce And Friends Hit & Run (Filmfinders Clip)
Teardrop Explodes Ha Ha I'm Drowning
Bob Seger Still The Same (Live Film)
Nina Hagan Ziggy Stardust
No Entry Band F.C Years (Filmfinders Clip)
Adam & The Ants Ant Invasion
John Lennon & Plastic Ono Band Instant Karma (Top Of The Pops)
Tv Smith's Explorers Perfect Life
Slow Children Staring At The Ceiling (Filmfinders Clip)
Gang Of Four He'd Send In The Army
Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty & Heartbreakers Stop Dragging My Heart Around
The Selecter Celebrate The Bullet
Jimi Hendrix Wild Thing (Blackpool In 1967)
BBC1 Hi There ‘82
A Pebble Mill special hosted by the Hi De Hi cast
Andy Williams
Wall Street Crash
Thames Give Us A Clue
Lonnie Donegan
Thames London Night Out
Frankie Vaughan
Southern Day By Yesterday (Southern TV's last ever show)
The Beatles Interview 1965
Scottish The Hogmanay Show
Aneka
Also This Year
After The Fire -
Blondie -
Elvis Costello -
Gerry Marsden -
Godley & Creme -
Jethro Tull -
Simple Minds / Steve Hillage -
Ringo Starr -
10CC -
Holsten adverts -