It’s Top of the Pops, James, but not as we knew it...

THE BBC is to launch a weekly live pop show, more than a decade after the demise of Top of the Pops.

Greg James and Dotty, DJS from Radio 1 and 1Xtra, will host the prime time BBC One programme, Sounds Like Friday Night. It promises to be a cross between Top of the Pops and the US show Saturday Night Live, mixing live music with topical entertainment and comedy skits.

The six-part show, which begins next month, is being made by James Corden’s production company Fulwell 73, and will be broadcast live from BBC Television Centre in White City, London.

Each week, a different music star will share presenting duties and will make “every episode a complete oneoff ”, the BBC said.

Cordon said: “We have been missing a prime time music show from our TV screens for far too long, so it’s fair to say being part of Sounds Like Friday Night is something I’m really, really excited about. One thing that’s fantastic about the show is being able to provide new and emerging acts at home alongside the megastars, introducing them to a new audience. Also, having the opportunity to interview and have a laugh

‘We have been missing a prime time music show from TV for too long. I’m really excited about it’

with some of the biggest stars in the world, on the actual telly, is completely brilliant. I can’t wait to get going.”

Dotty will “curate the show’s interaction with viewers live on social media” during each show.

Top of the Pops, the world’s longestrunning weekly music show, was axed after 42 years in 2006, after its format became dated in the wake of 24-hour music channels such as MTV and digital media.