Overview of 'Top of the Pops' Season 23

Episode 1 - January 2, 1986

Release Date: 1986-01-02

John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 January 1986. Featuring A-Ha, Paul McCartney, Level 42, Bronski Beat, Sophia George, Shakin' Stevens, Elton John, Jennifer Rush and Sting.

Episode 2 - January 9, 1986

Release Date: 1986-01-09

Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Full Force, Mr Mister, King, and Pet Shop Boys.

Episode 3 - January 16, 1986

Release Date: 1986-01-16

Mike Read and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 16 January 1986 and featuring Fine Young Cannibals, Dire Straits, a-ha, Mr. Mister, Pet Shop Boys, and Cherrelle with Alexander O'Neal.

Episode 4 - January 23, 1986

Release Date: 1986-01-23

Paul Jordan and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Eurythmics, Madonna, Sarah Brightman & Steve Harley, and Five Star.

Episode 5 - January 30, 1986

Release Date: 1986-01-30

Gary Davies and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 January 1986. Featuring Billy Ocean, Madonna, Talk Talk, Grace Jones, Fine Young Cannibals and A-Ha.

Episode 6 - February 6, 1986

Release Date: 1986-02-06

Simon Bates and Paul Jordan present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 February 1986. Featuring The Damned, Five Star, Ozzy Osbourne and Double.

Episode 7 - February 13, 1986

Release Date: 1986-02-13

Gary Davies and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 February 1986 and featuring Belouis Some, Whitney Houston, Su Pollard, Shakin' Stevens and Billy Ocean.

Episode 8 - February 20, 1986

Release Date: 1986-02-20

Janice Long and Mike Read present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 February 1986. Featuring Paul Hardcastle, Diana Ross, Depeche Mode, Survivor, Public Image Limited, Billy Ocean and The Damned.

Episode 9 - February 27, 1986

Release Date: 1986-02-27

Paul Jordan and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 27 February 1986. Featuring Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Talking Heads, Audrey Hall, Alexander O'Neal, Kate Bush, The Bangles, Billy Ocean and Colonel Abrams.

Episode 10 - March 6, 1986

Release Date: 1986-03-06

Gary Davies and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 March 1986. Featuring Mike and the Mechanics, Kate Bush, Frank Sinatra, Tavares, Whistle, Diana Ross, and Huey Lewis and the News.

Episode 11 - March 13, 1986

Release Date: 1986-03-13

Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Bangles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and Culture Club.

Episode 12 - March 20, 1986

Release Date: 1986-03-20

Janice Long and Simon Bates present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 March 1986 and featuring Jim Diamond, Pet Shop Boys, Cliff Richard and The Young Ones, The Real Thing, Diana Ross and Mr. Mister.

Episode 13 - March 27, 1986

Release Date: 1986-03-27

Mike Smith and Bruno Brookes take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Atlantic Starr, Bronski Beat, Falco, and The Art Of Noise & Duane Eddy.

Episode 14 - April 3, 1986

Release Date: 1986-04-03

Janice Long and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 April 1986. Featuring Big Audio Dynamite, George Michael, A-Ha, The Real Thing, Cliff Richard and the Young Ones, The Style Council and Falco.

Episode 15 - April 10, 1986

Release Date: 1986-04-10

Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from The Art Of Noise & Duane Eddy, Janet Jackson, Simple Minds, and Cliff Richard & The Young Ones.

Episode 16 - April 17, 1986

Release Date: 1986-04-17

Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 17 April 1986. Featuring Big Country, Falco, A-ha, Janet Jackson, It's Immaterial, George Michael and Whitney Houston.

Episode 17 - April 24, 1986

Release Date: 1986-04-24

Janice Long and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 24 April 1986. Featuring The S.O.S Band, The Grange Hill Cast, Aurra, George Michael, Madonna and Queen.

Episode 18 - May 1, 1986

Release Date: 1986-05-01

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Janet Jackson, Madonna, Hear 'n' Aid, and Joyce Sims.

Episode 19 - May 8, 1986

Release Date: 1986-05-08

Janice Long and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 08 May 1986. Featuring Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald, Spitting Image, Billy Ocean, Falco, and Whitney Houston.

Episode 20 - May 15, 1986

Release Date: 1986-05-15

Simon Bates and Mike Smith take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Level 42, Doctor & The Medics, The B-52's, and Spitting Image.

Episode 21 - May 22, 1986

Release Date: 1986-05-22

Gary Davies and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 May 1986. Featuring Jaki Graham, Billy Ocean, Simply Red, Spitting Image, The B52's, Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald, The Matchroom Mob and Chas & Dave.

Episode 22 - May 29, 1986

Release Date: 1986-05-29

John Peel and Janice Long present this pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 May 1986. Featuring Doctor and the Medics, Robert Palmer, The Real Thing, Tears for Fears, Pete Wylie, Spitting Image and Peter Gabriel.

Episode 23 - June 5, 1986

Release Date: 1986-06-05

Pop chart programme. Simon Bates and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 June 1986. Featuring Cashflow, Simply Red, Pet Shop Boys, Doctor and the Medics, Genesis, Nu Shooz and Jaki Graham.

Episode 24 - June 11, 1986

Release Date: 1986-06-11

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Falco, Bucks Fizz, A-ha, and Robert Palmer.

Episode 25 - June 19, 1986

Release Date: 1986-06-19

Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 June 1986. Featuring Bucks Fizz, Nu Shooz, Amazulu, A-Ha, The Housemartins, Doctor & The Medics, Miami Sound Machine, Queen and Owen Paul.

Episode 26 - June 26, 1986

Release Date: 1986-06-26

Mike Smith and Steve Wright take a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from David Bowie, Claire & Friends, Owen Paul, and Wham!.

Episode 27 - July 3, 1986

Release Date: 1986-07-03

Janice Long presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 3 July 1986. Featuring The Housemartins, Samantha Fox, Claire & Friends, Sly Fox, Gary Numan, Bucks Fizz and Wham!

Episode 28 - July 10, 1986

Release Date: 1986-07-10

Simon Bates and Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 10 July 1986. Featuring Midnight Star, The Real Roxanne, Owen Paul, Rod Stewart, Bananarama and Madonna.

Episode 29 - July 17, 1986

Release Date: 1986-07-17

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Ub40, Cock Robin, Hollywood Beyond, and Madonna.

Episode 30 - July 23, 1986

Release Date: 1986-07-23

Gary Davies and Peter Powell present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 July 1986. Featuring Hollywood Beyond, Sinitta, Audrey Hall, Robert Palmer, Haywoode and Madonna.

Episode 31 - July 31, 1986

Release Date: 1986-07-31

Janice Long and Mike Read present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 31 July 1986. Featuring Spandau Ballet, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Five Star, Stan Ridgway and Chris de Burgh.

Episode 32 - August 7, 1986

Release Date: 1986-08-07

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Boris Gardiner, The Smiths, Phil Fearon, and Sinitta.

Episode 33 - August 14, 1986

Release Date: 1986-08-14

Simon Bates presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 August 1986. Featuring It Bites, Lionel Richie, Anita Dobson, Phil Fearon and Chris De Burgh.

Episode 34 - August 21, 1986

Release Date: 1986-08-21

Gary Davies and Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 21 August 1986. Featuring Depeche Mode, Prince and The Revolution, Bruce Hornsby and The Range, Modern Talking, Boris Gardiner, and The Communards.

Episode 35 - August 28, 1986

Release Date: 1986-08-28

John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 28 August 1986. Featuring Jermaine Stewart, Peter Cetera, Jaki Graham, Human League, Boris Gardiner and Janet Jackson.

Episode 36 - September 4, 1986

Release Date: 1986-09-04

Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 4 September 1986. Featuring The Communards, MC Miker G & DJ Sven, Bruce Hornsby and The Range, Bon Jovi, Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Boris Gardiner.

Episode 37 - September 11, 1986

Release Date: 1986-09-11

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Run Dmc, The Psychedelic Furs, Eurythmics, and Jermaine Stewart.

Episode 38 - September 18, 1986

Release Date: 1986-09-18

Peter Powell and Stevie Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 September 1986. Featuring Eurythmics, Michael McDonald, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Cameo, The Communards and Five Star.

Episode 39 - September 25, 1986

Release Date: 1986-09-25

Janice Long presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 September 1986. Featuring Amazulu, Huey Lewis and the News, Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk, Genesis, Loose Ends, The Communards and Run DMC.

Episode 40 - October 2, 1986

Release Date: 1986-10-02

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Five Star, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Pet Shop Boys.

Episode 41 - October 9, 1986

Release Date: 1986-10-09

Gary Davies and Simon Mayo present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 October 1986. Featuring The Bangles, Nick Berry, Julian Cope, Paul Young, Howard Jones, Madonna and Paul Simon.

Episode 42 - October 16, 1986

Release Date: 1986-10-16

Simon Bates and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme. First broadcast on 16 October 1986, this edition features Pet Shop Boys, Cliff Richard and Sarah Brightman, Boris Gardiner, Marti Webb, Paul Hardcastle, Nick Berry and Status Quo.

Episode 43 - October 23, 1986

Release Date: 1986-10-23

Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme. First broadcast on 23 October 1986, this edition features The Pretenders, Midnight Star, Housemartins, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, Nick Berry and The Bangles.

Episode 44 - October 30, 1986

Release Date: 1986-10-30

Janice Long presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 30 October 1986. Featuring Mel and Kim, Berlin, Catherine Stock, Gwen Guthrie, Bon Jovi, Kim Wilde, Nick Berry and Status Quo.

Episode 45 - November 6, 1986

Release Date: 1986-11-06

Peter Powell and Steve Wright present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 November 1986 and featuring Bon Jovi, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, Red Box, Swing Out Sister, Duran Duran, Berlin and The Pretenders.

Episode 46 - November 13, 1986

Release Date: 1986-11-13

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Shakin' Stevens, Spandau Ballet, Europe, and Berlin.

Episode 47 - November 20, 1986

Release Date: 1986-11-20

Janice Long and John Peel present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 November 1986, featuring Europe, Simple Minds, Swing Out Sister, Erasure, Bon Jovi, Berlin and Red Box.

Episode 48 - November 27, 1986

Release Date: 1986-11-27

Gary Davies presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 27 November 1986, featuring performances by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Debbie Harry, Five Star, Nick Kamen, Berlin and Anita Baker.

Episode 49 - December 4, 1986

Release Date: 1986-12-04

Mike Smith takes a look at Britain's best-selling tracks and artists from the Top 40. Including performances from Oran 'juice' Jones, Genesis, The Housemartins, and Gregory Abbott.

Episode 50 - December 11, 1986

Release Date: 1986-12-11

Janice Long and Steve Wright presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 11 December 1986, featuring performances by The Housemartins, Alison Moyet, Dexys Midnight Runners, a-ha, Jackie Wilson and Madonna.

Episode 51 - December 18, 1986

Release Date: 1986-12-18

Mike Smith presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 December 1986, featuring performances by Jackie Wilson, A-ha, Eurythmics, and The Housemartins.

Episode 52 - December 25, 1986

Release Date: 1986-12-25

Peter Powell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1986, featuring performances by Billy Ocean, The Communards, a-ha, Diana Ross and George Michael.