Top of the Pops, 17th December 2020

With Christmas just over a week away, it's necessary to invite the self-appointed Mr Christmas Michael Buble on to the show to perform two of his deathless swing-music anthems. Peppier Christmas fare comes from Leona Lewis, Justin Bieber and throwback footage of Brenda Lee. But the big story, of course, is Mariah Carey finally making it to the top after all these years.

Non-tinselly material comes from Kid Laroi, The Weeknd and especially Ariana Grande, whose hows-your-father anthem makes the perfect antidote for anyone who needs it.

Debuts: Kid Laroi.

Leona Lewis - One More Sleep

Up 8 to number 25

Kid Laroi - Without You

Back in at number 23

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe

Up 7 to number 36

Ariana Grande - 34 + 35

Up 1 to number 9

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Long Runner - Up 7 to number 39 after 54 weeks

From The Vault: Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Up 4 to number 15

Michael Buble - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas / Holly Jolly Christmas

Up 6 to number 7 / Up 7 to number 30

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Up 1 to number 1

PRESENTER: Bruce Willis, in character as John McClane

Top of the Pops, 10th December 2020

The Christmas chart onslaught begins in earnest, although Covid being what it is, several of the original artists are available to remote-perform their evergreen hits. So as well as the archive footage of Elton, we have appearances from friend of the show Jess Glynne, Kelly Clarkson and the grande dame of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey (with a few special invitees). Even Queen Ariana Grande chucks in a bit of festivity alongside her immovable number 1 bonking anthem.

Non-Christmassy fun comes from Miley Cyrus, Liam Gallagher and CJ. Congratulations to them for impinging on the nation's mostly mince pie-focused consciousness.

Debuts: None.

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Up 2 to number 5

Jess Glynne - This Christmas

Up 35 to number 28

Liam Gallagher - All You're Dreaming Of

In at number 35

Kelly Clarkson - Underneath The Tree

Up 26 to number 20

CJ - Whoopty

Up 1 to number 11

From The Vault: Elton John - Step Into Christmas

Up 31 to number 18

Mariah Carey with Kelly Clarkson, Jess Glynn, Liam Gallagher and AJ Tracey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Up 12 to number 2

Ariana Grande - Positions / Santa Tell Me

Sixth week at number 1 / Back in at number 16

PRESENTERS: Olly Murs dressed as Santa and Nick Grimshaw dressed as an elf

Top of the Pops, 3rd December 2020

It's December and the big guns are coming out. BTS, Mendes and Bieber and Cyrus and Lipa all take their best shots at the chart, although for the moment they are still behind Ariana Grande and also the surprisingly resilient Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio.

In an effort to avoid too much repetition, we pass over Mariah and a couple of others and dig down to number 33 for a classic Christmas toe-tapper from Shakin' Stevens.

Debuts: None.

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Up 5 to number 5

Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber - Monster

In at number 9

Meduza ft. Dermot Kennedy - Paradise

Up 2 to number 18

BTS - Life Goes On

In at number 10

Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio - See Nobody

Up 1 to number 4

From The Vault: Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone

Back in at number 33

Miley Cyrus with Dua Lipa - Prisoner

Highest New Entry - In at number 8

Ariana Grande - Positions / 34 + 35

Fifth week at number 1 / Up 4 to number 13

PRESENTERS: Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon