TOP OF THE POPS - TOP OF THE POPS BACK THIS CHRISTMAS

TOP OF THE POPS BACK THIS CHRISTMAS

Christmas is saved – for music-lovers at least – as Top of the Pops is making a comeback this year.

Two hour-long special shows are planned on Christmas day and new year's eve – a U-turn for the BBC after they cancelled the show in 2006.

Calls from politicians and performers for it to be reinstated may have had something to do with the decision.

Music mogul Simon Cowell's suggestion that ITV1 might buy and reinvigorate the show could also have had something to do with it.

Whatever the cause, the two shows will be presented by Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates and will be filmed at BBC Television Centre.

"The shows will form the centrepiece of a massive musical offering during the festive season that we hope viewers are really going to enjoy," BBC 1 controller Jay Hunt said.

And Cotton described herself as "beyond excited" by the news.

"Reggie and I feel truly honoured to be able to introduce this year's number one – both shows are going to be huge!" she added.

There are no plans to bring Top of the Pops back full-time.