Top Of The Pops 'Will Return To TV Screens'

Tops of the Pops will return to the public’s television screens, a BBC executive has said.

The broadcasting corporation scrapped the weekly music show two years ago as a result of falling viewing figures.

But it could now be restored in a new format that takes advantage of 21st century technology innovations such as YouTube.

Mark Cooper, head of music entertainment for BBC TV, told the Times: "It's a Sleeping Beauty. One day it will come back, in the way that Top Gear and Dr Who came back.

"It's probably no longer the case that Top of the Pops can be revived on the basis of it being an entertainment programme – instead it may have to be judged as a public service."

Last month, the BBC replaced the annual Top of the Pops Christmas special, which had run for 43 years, with an eight part series of TOTP2.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has led calls for a similar programme to be launched in order to help new bands achieve wider attention.

Speaking at In the City in Manchester in October, Mr Burnham said TV was “relying on safe formats” instead of driving the search for new talent.

"That was what was great about the past - The Smiths did become a national name, even though I can remember my dad moaning about them on Top of the Pops.”