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

Top of the Pops, 26th November 2020

The big new hit this week is from Billie Eilish, who just misses out on dethroning Queen Ariana Grande but makes significant waves none the less. Also new to the show is CJ, who makes his big chart charge after hovering around the lower reaches for a few weeks.

James Arthur is never off the show lately and this week is no exception. Another of the stories of the year, 24KGolden, is also here to reprise his big hit, and Baccara are dug up out of the vault for some reason.

Debuts: None.

Jax Jones ft. Au/Ra - I Miss U

Up 3 to number 25

Billie Eilish - Therefore I Am

Highest New Entry - In at number 2

CJ - Whoopty

High Climber - Up 15 to number 24

James Arthur - Train Wreck

Up 3 to number 16

24KGoldn ft. Iann Dior - Mood

Up 1 to number 13

From The Vault: Baccara - Yes Sir I Can Boogie

Back in at number 57

BBC Children In Need - Stop Crying Your Heart Out

In at number 7

Ariana Grande - Positions

Fourth week at number 1

PRESENTERS: James Masterton and Daryl Denham

Top of the Pops, 19th November 2020

It's a loaded show for pop fans this week. Ariana Grande holds on at number one and also has another highest new entry. Shawn Mendes is back with his new single. And there are microclimbs for longer-running hits from Clean Bandit, Joel Corry and the modern day version of Phats and Small, Sigala.

We've also got a couple of exclusives, as Dermot Kennedy invites Meduza to zazz up Giants in a medley with their collaborative hit, and friends of the show Little Mix provide a gorgeous harmonized backing for Justin Bieber as well as performing their own double bill.

Debuts: None.

Shawn Mendes - Wonder

Up 5 to number 20

Little Mix - Sweet Melody / Confetti

Up 9 to number 3 / In at number 23

Dermot Kennedy vs Meduza - Giants / Paradise

Up 3 to number 16 / High Climber - Up 11 to number 24

Clean Bandit ft. Mabel - Tick Tock

Up 1 to number 13

Sigala and James Arthur - Lasting Lover

Up 3 to number 12

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head and Heart

Up 3 to number 15

Justin Bieber with Little Mix - Holy

Up 1 to number 9

Ariana Grande - Positions / POV

Third week at number 1 / Highest New Entry - In at number 22

PRESENTER: Graham Norton

Top of the Pops, 12th November 2020

Another big entry for Ariana Grande this week means that she can perform 34 + 35 as well as her chart topper Positions. Will she make it a threesome next week? There are also minor climbs for the hits of the moment from Miley Cyrus, Wes Nelson and Tate McRae, and a fun appearance from friend of the show Dua Lipa.

Perhaps the most special performance, though, is from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (socially distanced, of course). They perform a very touching rendition of the internet phenomenon Four Notes.

Thanks to the way the chart works, it's only this week that the Halloween tracks are charting, hence the presence of Bobby "Boris" Pickett in the From The Vault slot.

Debuts: The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Up 2 to number 7

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Up 1 to number 13

James Arthur - Train Wreck

Up 1 to number 23

Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio - See Nobody

Up 1 to number 3

Tate McRae - You Broke Me First

Up 1 to number 4

From The Vault: Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers - Monster Mash

Back in at number 50

The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - Four Notes (Paul's Tune)

In at number 32

Ariana Grande - Positions / 34 + 35

Second week at number 1 / Highest New Entry - In at number 9

PRESENTERS: Dannii Minogue (from a completely white room)

Top of the Pops, 5th November 2020

After several weeks of mostly slow climbers, today sees fireworks as three songs zoom straight into the top ten: friends of the show Little Mix, KSI, and right at the top Ariana Grande making her big return.

That pushes a lot of other songs downwards, meaning we're also able to feature several acts from lower down the top 40, including a rare sighting of actual guitars in the hands of Bring Me The Horizon. Central Cee makes his debut, and there are welcome pop-ins from Jax Jones and Sam Smith.

Debuts: Central Cee.

Jax Jones ft. Au/Ra - I Miss U

Up 9 to number 30

Little Mix - Sweet Melody

In at number 8

Sam Smith - Diamonds

Up 3 to number 17

Bring Me The Horizon - Teardrops

In at number 39

KSI, Craig David and Digital Farm Animals - Really Love

In at number 3

Central Cee - Loading

In at number 37

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Long Runner - Up 1 to number 31 after 48 weeks

Ariana Grande - Positions

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTERS: Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby