As of July 2026, Top of the Pops Season 18 aired in 1981 with 53 episodes — streaming now on BBC iPlayer. Full episode guide and where to watch below.
Top of the Pops Season 18 poster
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Top of the Pops Season 18

1981 53 Episodes Reality ⭐ 7/10

Right now you can watch Top of the Pops Season 18 on — and it is more addictive than the premise lets on. The show says what it needs to say in a single season, no filler. 43 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for the format — it delivers exactly what it promises. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Top of the Pops Season 18 is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The production behind Top of the Pops Season 18 knows exactly which moments to let breathe. Season 18 of Top of the Pops includes 53 episodes. It aired from January 1981 to December 1981. This season stars Peter Powell, Steve Wright and Tommy Vance. Peter Powell and Steve Wright lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was aired in 1981. What keeps Top of the Pops Season 18 from feeling stale is a production that knows when to get out of the way. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Best watched with company, Top of the Pops Season 18 generates takes from everyone in the room. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Peter Powell is a big part of why it works, but the format itself is the real star. The kind of thing that generates strong opinions in every room it is watched in.

📡 Where to Watch Top of the Pops Season 18

🇬🇧 United Kingdom
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🎬 Top of the Pops Season 18 — Episode Guide

E1
Episode 1
1981-01-01
Dave Lee Travis and Tommy Vance introduce a special edition, featuring some of the top records of 1980. Including performances from Ottawan, The Jam, The Detroit Spinners, and Kelly Marie.
E2
Episode 2
1981-01-08
Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Chas and Dave, The Beat, Matchbox, The Nolans and Racey, and a dance sequence from Legs & Co.
E3
Episode 3
1981-01-15
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Gary Numan, Dire Straits, Phil Collins, and Mac Davis. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.
E4
Episode 4
1981-01-22
Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Spandau Ballet, XTC, Adam and the Ants, Bad Manners and Blondie.
E5
Episode 5
1981-01-29
Tommy Vance introduces the pop programme, featuring Slade, The Stranglers, Sheila Hylton, Susan Fassbender, John Lennon, The Gap Band, Phil Collins, Madness and Ultravox, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E6
Episode 6
1981-02-05
Simon Bates introduces the pop programme, featuring Joe Dolce, The Stray Cats, The Passions, Rainbow, Blondie, Spandau Ballet, Cliff Richard, Dire Straits, XTC and John Lennon, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E7
Episode 7
1981-02-12
Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring The Pretenders, Barbara Jones, Kelly Marie, Freeez, Beggar and Co, Coast to Coast, Slade and John Lennon, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E8
Episode 8
1981-02-19
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Rainbow, Headgirl (motorhead & Girlschool), Stray Cats, and Visage. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.
E9
Episode 9
1981-02-26
Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Status Quo, Kim Wilde, Madness, Kiki Dee, Coast to Coast, The Passions, Roxy Music and Joe Dolce, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E10
Episode 10
1981-03-05
Mike Read introduces the pop programme, featuring Duran Duran, Shakin Stevens, Phil Collins, The Who, Adam and the Ants, Toyah, Motorhead & Girlschool, Joe Dolce, Talking Heads and The Teardrop Explodes, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E11
Episode 11
1981-03-12
Tommy Vance introduces the pop programme, featuring The Teardrop Explodes, Kim Wilde, Linx, Status Quo, Kelly Marie, Freeez, Beggar & Co, Landscape, Talking Heads, Kiki Dee, Coast to Coast and Roxy Music, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E12
Episode 12
1981-03-19
Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Sharon Redd, Bucks Fizz, Colin Blunstone & Dave Stewart, Toyah, The Who, Phil Collins, Shakin Stevens, Visage, Roxy Music and Duran Duran, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E13
Episode 13
1981-03-26
Richard Skinner introduces the pop programme, featuring Graham Bonnet, Hazel O'Connor, Tony Capstick, Gillan, Lene Lovich, Bad Manners, Shakin' Stevens, Linx, Landscape, the Polecats and Kim Wilde, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E14
Episode 14
1981-04-02
Simon Bates introduces the pop programme, featuring Stiff Little Fingers, Liquid Gold, Light of the World, Children of Tansley School, Sugar Minott, Lena Zavaroni, Spandau Ballet, Shakin' Stevens, Stevie Wonder, The Nolans and Bucks Fizz, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E15
Episode 15
1981-04-09
Mike Read introduces the pop programme, featuring Keith Marshall, Bucks Fizz, Public Image, Eddy Grant, Linx, Saxon, Graham Bonnet, Gillan, The Whispers and Shakin' Stevens, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E16
Episode 16
1981-04-16
Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, featuring Bad Manners, Girlschool, Department S, The Beat, The Cure, The Nolans, UK Subs, The Jacksons, Whitesnake, Spandau Ballet, Sugar Minott, Bucks Fizz and Ennio Morricone, and a dance performance from Legs & Co.
E17
Episode 17
1981-04-23
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Matchbox, Roger Taylor, Barry Manilow, and Keith Marshall. Introduced by Dave Lee Travis.
E18
Episode 18
1981-04-30
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Madness, Sheena Easton, Ennio Morricone, and Quincy Jones. Introduced by Jimmy Savile.
E19
Episode 19
1981-05-07
A look at Britain's best-selling discs, artists, and news from the Top 40. Including performances from Stray Cats, Keith Marshall, Eddy Grant, and Reo Speedwagon. Introduced by Peter Powell.
E20
Episode 20
1981-05-14
Tommy Vance introduces the pop programme. Includes appearances from Thin Lizzy, Department S, Tenpole Tudor, Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes and Adam and the Ants, plus a dance performance by Legs and Co.

🎭 Cast of Top of the Pops Season 18

Peter Powell
Peter Powell
Self - Presenter
Steve Wright
Steve Wright
Self - Presenter
TV
Tommy Vance
Self - Presenter
Mike Read
Mike Read
Self - Host
Simon Bates
Simon Bates
Self - Host
Tony Blackburn
Tony Blackburn
Self - Host
Dave Lee Travis
Dave Lee Travis
Self -Host
Richard Skinner
Richard Skinner
Self - Host
Andy Peebles
Andy Peebles
Self - Host
Paul Gambaccini
Paul Gambaccini
Self - Host

📋 All Seasons of Top of the Pops

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