At the BBC

A selection from the BBC's music archives showcasing those hits that saw artists and acts joining forces to bring something new and unique to the UK charts. These are some of the biggest and best collaborations that remain classics to this day, featuring George Michael and Aretha Franklin, Eminem and Dido, Nelly and Kelly Rowland, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, Meat Loaf and Cher, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

The singer looks back on his career, with archive performances of Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home), Love of the Common People, and Every Time You Go Away. Interwoven with clips of these classic songs, Paul reflects on his journey through fame, the stories behind his most memorable tracks, and the experiences that shaped his career, from the early days with the Q-Tips, to solo fame in the 1980s right up to the present day.

Songs of sorrow and heartache by music's biggest stars, as performed on the BBC over the years. Highlights include Aretha Franklin's Don't Play That Song, as well as numbers from Dolly Parton, the Arctic Monkeys, One Direction, Boyz II Men and George Michael.

A compilation of Top of the Pops performances by actors from the long-running soap.

A trawl through the BBC archive for a collection of chart hits that take their inspiration from big-screen stars and classic movie moments, including Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes, Bananarama's 1984 hit Robert De Niro's Waiting, Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz and Deep Blue Something's Breakfast at Tiffany's. The programme also features I'm in Love with a German Film Star, by the Passions, and Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much, which namechecks a leading Hollywood actor.

The singer marks her 80th birthday by looking back over her career, highlighted by some of her finest performances at the BBC, including appearances on Top of the Pops, Parkinson, The Old Grey Whistle Test, Wogan and The One Show. Songs include Pearl's a Singer, No More the Fool, Lilac Wine and Fool If You Think It's Over, and in between, Elkie remembers working alongside the likes of Chris Rea and Robert Palmer, and reveals personal insights into what has inspired her.

The Irish singer and composer as seen on the BBC, including her breakthrough single Orinoco Flow, which stayed at the top of the UK charts for three weeks in 1988. Since then she has released nine top 10 albums and won multiple awards all while maintaining her privacy, rarely giving interviews and never touring.

As The Big Night of Musicals ends on BBC One, Elaine Paige keeps the show running by rustling up a fresh selection of tunes from favourite musicals, including Les Misérables, Oklahoma!, Hamilton and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The performances, all taken from the BBC archive, feature the likes of Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Hugh Jackman and Barbara Dickson, as well as a set of full cast ensembles.

Tomorrow, Eric Clapton turns 80. To mark the occasion, BBC Two presents an evening of programmes dedicated to the acclaimed British blues guitarist, kicking off with a selection of his BBC performances over the decades. Highlights include the regae-infused hit I Shot the Sheriff, the 1980s ballad Wonderful Tonight and appearances with Smokey Robinson, Bobby Whitlock and Tina Turner.

A compilation of 40 big hits by the artists that originally performed them, such as John Fogerty's Rockin' All Over the World - which became synonymous with 1970s rockers Status Quo - and Lori Lieberman's Killing Me Softly with His Song - covered by many artists, including Roberta Flack. Others featured include Gladys Knight, Neil Diamond, Nine Inch Nails, Dolly Parton and the Zutons, whose song Valerie became a massive hit for Amy Whitehouse.

A selection of stripped-back performances by artists who have appeared in the Radio 2 Piano Room. Highlights include Jessie Ware with her own version of Cher's 1998 hit Believe, rap star Stormzy giving a tender rendition of Oleta Adams' 1991 soul classic Get Here, Pink's cover of Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinéad O'Connor and Coldplay with the Proclaimers' anthem Sunshine on Leith. Other artists include Ed Sheeran, Clean Bandit, Joy Crookes, James Blunt, Emeli Sandé, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, Belinda Carlisle, Sugababes, Raye, Suzanne Vega, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bono and the Edge, Alison Moyet, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Bublé, Anastacia, and Jools Holland and Rod Stewart.

Another deep dive into the BBC's music archive, pointing the musical compass away from Top of the Pops on a quest to uncover 40 hidden gems. The songs are familiar but the performances may not be, such as Bronski Beat singing Smalltown Boy for the first time on the BBC, Rihanna's rockier version of Umbrella, Sophie Ellis-Bextor covering Pulp's Do You Remember the First Time? and Kate Bush pairing up for a tango during Hounds of Love.

Ever since the first episode was broadcast in 1968, Dad's Army has been one of the most familiar programmes on British television – much-loved and shown repeatedly, thanks to the affection it is held in by viewers of all generations. But despite its seemingly constant presence on screen, lots of Dad's Army moments have remained unseen inside the BBC's archives – until now.Narrator Toby Jones – who himself played Captain Mainwaring in the 2016 Dad's Army film – shares a selection of classic clips that feature everyone's favourite Home Guard platoon in appearances that took them beyond the confines of Walmington-on-Sea. Amongst the many delights are Mainwaring dancing and sparring with Morecambe and Wise, the whole cast defending Buckingham Palace at the 1970 Royal Gala, Private Pike invading the Lulu Show, and a special song and dance tribute to Noel Coward – all must-see moments for fans of the show.

A journey through the BBC's music archives, diving in to share all that was great in 1988. With hits from Kylie Minogue, Salt-N-Pepa, Terence Trent D'Arby and Glenn Medeiros.

A selection of performances from the BBC's archives by the American singer-songwriter, featuring appearances on The Old Grey Whistle Test and Top of the Pops and BBC Four sessions.

With songs like Uptown Girl, Piano Man and We Didn't Start the Fire, Billy Joel was one of the most successful artists of the 1970s and '80s. This deep dive into the American singer-songwriter's appearances over the decades on the BBC digs up the best moments from the archives, with all the biggest hits and fan favourites, from his first UK hit Just the Way You Are through to The River of Dreams, the last big single of his career.

A selection of songs from the year, featuring Queen, Simple Minds, Elton John, Prince, Duran Duran, Foreigner, Billy Ocean, Marillion, Go West, King, Strawberry Switchblade, Kirsty MacColl and Princess. There are also collaborations between Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, Gary Moore and Phil Lynott, and Chrissie Hynde and UB40.

With Oasis's long-awaited reunion and the band's sell-out run of concerts finally just around the corner, this programme dives into the BBC's music archives for a celebration of the band. Featuring the early mission statements that were Rock 'n' Roll Star, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Wonderwall, Slide Away and Champagne Supernova, it's a compilation that helps explain the Oasis phenomenon, demonstrating why and how they became one of Britain's biggest bands.

A selection of archive performances by the Electric Light Orchestra, whose futuristic fusion of rock 'n' roll and classical arrangements first took off in the 1970s. This programme brings together the very best of the band's performances at the BBC over the years, featuring hits including 10538 Overture, Don't Bring Me Down, Livin' Thing, Sweet Talkin' Woman and Mr Blue Sky.

Kevin Rowland looks back on his unique career as he introduces the best of Dexys' BBC performances from over the decades.

A deep dive into the BBC's archive to celebrate the American singer, affectionately known as the Voice of Romance. From early hits like Misty and Nat King Cole tributes such as Unforgettable and Let There Be Love, to duets with Lulu and Natalie Cole, this compilation captures the inimitable Mathis at his finest.

A celebration of some of Pavarotti's finest performances from the BBC archives, capturing how he became the biggest opera star of modern times.

Take a musical trip back in time to 50 years ago, with 40 essential hits from 1975 plucked from the BBC's archives. The punk explosion was two years away and disco was only just starting to surface, but these 12 months were still packed with classic songs that remain staples to this day. Key moments include Abba in Blackpool on Seaside Special and Bay City Rollers riding the wave of Rollermania, as well as debut hits from key artists who were pioneers in their individual genres, including Bob Marley, Supertramp and Kraftwerk.

The pop singer shares her favourite musical moments and memories from across the years, featuring the best of her many appearances on a range of BBC shows across the decades. With performances from the 1980s on Wogan, Saturday Superstore, Going Live and numerous editions of Top of the Pops, as well as 2024's triumphant show at Radio 2 in the Park, with hits Kids in America, Water on Glass, Rage to Love and You Keep Me Hangin' On and the rarely seen duet A Short Term Affair with Tony Ferrino, aka Steve Coogan.

He was known as Mr Entertainment, and it's clear why that was the case from this collection of some of Sammy Davis Jr's finest moments on British television - showing off his unbeatable talents as singer and raconteur and opening up about his life in several fascinating conversations.Sammy always had a special affection for the BBC, appearing many times over the years to perform and share stories with the likes of Michael Parkinson and Terry Wogan, and here we find him discussing his encounters with racism and his relationship with America's civil rights movement, the breakdown of his controversial marriage to the actress May Britt and the car accident that cost him an eye.Alongside all the insights into his life and experiences are, of course, several show-stopping archive performances – as he wows the BBC's studio audiences with classic songs like Once in a Lifetime, Me and My Shadow and My Funny Valentine.

Before he became one of Britain's best-loved presenters, Michael Aspel was the face of early television - donning the famous 'communal dinner jacket' as a continuity announcer in the fledgling days of broadcasting.In this warm and revealing documentary, Aspel looks back on a career that spanned news reading, children's favourites like Crackerjack and Ask Aspel, along with iconic shows such as This Is Your Life and Antiques Roadshow.With stories of interviews gone delightfully wrong, encounters with silver screen legends and even his comic turns with Morecambe and Wise, this is the definitive portrait of a man who helped shape British TV.

Madness frontman Suggs and keyboardist Mike Barson take a trip down memory lane to explore some of the nutty boys' finest moments from the BBC's archives. Sharing the stories behind hits like Baggy Trousers, House of Fun and It Must Be Love, the friends chart Madness's beginnings as a promising seven-strong ska band, their rise to chart dominance in the 1980s, the tensions behind the break-up that followed and a comeback that saw them confirm their status as one of Britain's best-loved and most enduring bands.

A tribute to the remarkable voice and career of the great soprano Lesley Garrett, who shares memories of some of her finest performances on the BBC.From the soaring melodies of operatic classics to the heartfelt charm of favourite musical theatre numbers, this collection includes beloved songs such as Somewhere and Tonight, and showcases the versatility, artistry and warmth that have made Lesley Garrett one of Britain's most cherished performers.

Another collection of Shirley Bassey's performances from the BBC archives, including such hits as My Way, The Way We Were, Copacabana and even her own version of The Beatles' iconic Hey Jude.

A collection of archive music performances from the year, including Freedom by Wham!, Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax, Pride by U2, Against All Odds by Phil Collins, I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder, Madonna's Like a Virgin and Hello by Lionel Ritchie.

A celebration of the songs of Cyndi Lauper, who took the charts by storm in 1984 with her debut international hit Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, released in the same week as Madonna's first hit, Holiday. Cyndi surprised the critics of the day almost immediately and showed she deserved so much more than labels like ‘kooky' and ‘quirky', with sensitive songs like Time After Time and True Colors that still resonate as strongly today as they did back in the 1980s. This trip through the BBC's archives follows Cyndi's journey from the start, and captures why she became, and remains, one of the most positive female forces in modern pop music.

A selection of archive performances of hits by artists who barely troubled the singles charts again, including appearances by the La's, the Mock Turtles, Joan Jett, Kim Carnes, Don Henley, Patti Smith, Curtis Mayfield and John Denver.

A selection of classic songs that never made the UK Top 40 the first time they were released, including Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams, David Bowie's Changes, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5, and Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire.

A selection of performances of love songs from the BBC's music archives, with classics by Carpenters, the Three Degrees, Simply Red, Meatloaf and Sting, as well as some 21st-century songs to swoon to from Rihanna and Harry Styles.

A collection of songs from the BBC archives that will definitely deliver heartache, but also the chance to experience more of the greatest sad songs ever. Featuring the likes of Sade, the Righteous Brothers, Toni Braxton, Lewis Capaldi and many more who hit the charts while breaking people's hearts.

Some more of the greatest movie themes to light up the UK pop charts from the BBC's archives, including Lulu's To Sir with Love, Kate Bush's This Woman's Work and Lisa Loeb's Stay.

Sharleen Spiteri takes a dive into the BBC's music archive to select the Glasgow band's greatest appearances on a selection of programmes and live events from across their 35-year career. It's a collection featuring all of their biggest hits, from I Don't Want a Lover and Black Eyed Boy to Summer Son and Say What You Want, combined with Sharleen's memories of several of her own favourite moments, including last year's triumphant return to the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury, dressing up as Elvis and a key collaboration with hip-hop icons the Wu-Tang Clan.

A look back through the BBC's archives at the work of the Irish singer-songwriter, with tracks including Mandinka, Black Boys on Mopeds and Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home. This playlist also features collaborations with Shane MacGowan of the Pogues and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, as well as cover of much-loved classics, including The House of the Rising Sun and the song that made her a star - Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U.

A selection of the best performances from singer's visits to the BBC on programmes like Top of the Pops, Wogan and the National Lottery Show, both as the frontwoman of the Supremes and as a successful solo artists, Featuring Baby Love, I'm Still Waiting, Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, Upside Down and Love Hangover.

When Terry Hall died in December 2022, at the age of 63, we lost one of British music's most influential, unpredictable and adored singer-songwriters of recent times.Here, take a trip into the BBC's archives to look back on Terry's extraordinary, genre-hopping career - from his early, decade-defining days as front man with The Specials, to Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield and his acclaimed solo career.Along the way, there were also multiple collaborations, ranging from Mark Ronson to Bananarama, the best of which are captured here in performances of hits including Gangsters, Thinking of You, Sense and Our Lips Are Sealed from shows like Top of the Pops, Whistle Test, Live in Session for BBC 6 Music, Glastonbury, the pioneering Oxford Road Show – and even some Cheggers Plays Pop.What shines through in these performances is Terry's love of all kinds of music and his desire to never stand still and always try something different.

Some of Ella Fitzgerald's finest performances, captured on BBC programmes from over the years and including such classics songs as Day by Day, Cheek to Cheek and Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye.

As a curtain-raiser to an evening of programmes marking the 50th anniversary of Abba's Eurovision Song Contest victory in Brighton, this compilation features BBC appearances by the Swedish superstars on Top of the Pops, Wogan, The Late, Late Breakfast Show and The Mike Yarwood Christmas Show. The programme also features a rare Top of the Pops performance of the song So Long from 1974, missing from the BBC archive and thought to be lost until a fan unearthed a home recording.

Archive performances by the singer known as the Empress of Soul to mark her 80th birthday, combining classic tracks alongside her band the Pips with solo songs. Songs like Baby Don't Change Your Mind, The Way We Were and Help Me Make It Through the Night are drawn from Gladys's appearances on Top of the Pops, Old Grey Whistle Test and The Harry Secombe show.

A compilation of the rock band's greatest BBC performances to mark their 40 years in the business, from early 1980s appearances on Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test, to intimate sessions for Radio 2 and clips of their stadium-filling tours.

A collection of hits from one of pop music's greatest geniuses - Prince, aka ‘The Artist Formerly Known as Prince', aka ‘the Unpronounceable Symbol', and more.

BBC forecasters Carol Kirkwood and Tomasz Schafernaker present a selection of performances of weather-related songs from the archives, including Bill Withers singing Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone and Why Does It Always Rain on Me? By Travis.

Having been formed for 2002 reality show Popstars: The Rivals, Girls Aloud dominated the UK charts and the tabloids over the next decade. This programme features a selection of archive BBC appearances by the group, including performances of Sound of the Underground, Something Kinda Ooooh, Can't Speak French, Call the Shots and Biology.

In the late-1970s to mid-1980s, Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland of the Police enjoyed a run of chart-topping singles, best-selling albums and huge concerts all across the world. When the trio went their separate ways four decades ago, it was Sting who established himself as one of the UK's most respected singer-songwriters. This collection of performances from the BBC's archives celebrates both the solo star and the band that brought him to our attention in the first place, with hits like Roxanne, Fragile, Message in a Bottle, Brand New Day and Every Breath You Take.

A trawl through the BBC archive to find a number of songs on a theme of survival, with highlights including disco classic I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, Destiny's Child singing Survivor, and heavyweight US rockers Survivor with the theme song to Rocky III, Eye of the Tiger.

A selection of archive performances that highlight the wit and intelligence of the singer-songwriter, who would have turned 65 this year had her life not been tragically cut short in December 2000. Including such hits as A New England, Days, and Fairytale of New York, her classic Christmas collaboration with the Pogues.

Expect the unexpected on this latest journey through the BBC's archives, which features surprising songs and rare performances taken from shows that may have been forgotten, Featuring appearances by Jimi Hendrix, MC Hammer, Dusty Springfield, Tammy Wynette, the Beach Boys and Pet Shop Boys.

A journey through a selection of some of the saddest - but finest - songs from the BBC's music archives, with tear-jerkers from Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, the Smiths, Randy Crawford, Coldplay, Dolly Parton, Eric Clapton and Eric Carmen.

A celebration of Robert Smith and his band and the unique song-writing talents they possess, with a collection of archive performances on BBC programmes, featuring A Forest, Lovecats, Friday I'm In Love, Close to Me and Boys Don't Cry.

Another selection of cover versions from the archive, featuring the best in pop, rock and soul from the past five decades, with artists including Adele, Annie Lennox, Happy Mondays, Manic Street Preachers and Erasure. The collection may also raise eyebrows with some songs thought written by the acts whose versions became better known than the originals, with examples including Blondie's Denis, Natalie Imbruglia's Torn and Tina Turner's The Best.

A celebration of male pop groups, who are sometimes not taken seriously, despite some seriously catchy songs, but who have always played a vital role in pop's dominance of modern music. With archive performances by Take That, One Direction, JLS, BTS, Backstreet Boys, Boyzone, East 17 and Westlife.

Marking 40 years since the release of festive classic Last Christmas, guitarist Andrew Ridgeley and backing singers Pepsi Demacque-Crockett and Shirlie Kemp present a selection of the duo's biggest and best performances from the BBC archives. Featuring Young Guns (Go for It), Club Tropicana and The Edge of Heaven, these are the hits that made Wham! one of the hottest pop groups of the 1980s, and first introduced the world to the unique songwriting talents of George Michael.

Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox's synthpop group were one of the biggest British acts of the 1980s, being bold, innovative, stylish and always highly unpredictable. The pair first tasted chart success in the Tourists before breaking away and achieving international stardom with songs like Love Is a Stranger and Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves, and their evolving look and sound are captured here in a collection of best moments from the BBC's music archives.

A selection of the singer-songwriter's finest performances plucked from the BBC archives, celebrating the solo side of her accomplishments, which started in earnest with the release of her hugely acclaimed debut solo album Diva in 1992. Since then she has shown time and time again exactly why she remains one of the nation's most popular and critically praised artists, and here we share the evidence once again, with a selection of her finest performances plucked from the BBC archives.

Celia Imrie narrates a celebration of the life, work and TV appearances made over the years by one of Britain's greatest and best-loved actresses, Maggie Smith. Alongside new memories of Maggie from longstanding friends like Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi are a rich selection of classic clips from the 1960s to the 2020s, all demonstrating her wit, wisdom and famously sharp tongue.

A celebration of the work of songwriter Lamont Dozier, who passed away in 2022, featuring a rich selection from the BBC's archive of performances of his work from over the decades.As one of the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland trio, Lamont helped create the Motown sound that spread right across the globe in the 1960s, setting a new standard in popular songwriting and winning over fans like Bob Dylan and the Beatles with songs like You Keep Me Hanging On, Baby Love, This Old Heart of Mine and Reach Out I'll Be There.This collection features Dozier's best loved and most recognisable hits, performed by the artists like Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Four Tops, and Martha and the Vandellas, who he helped turn into international stars, as well as those who have kept his work alive and relevant to this day including Phil Collins, Kylie Minogue, Rod Stewart and Rag'n'Bone Man.

Rod Stewart has already been honoured with one BBC celebration of his great career, but the man Elton John called Phyllis has had so many hits, and is held in such affection by his army of fans, that it's time for another deep dive into the TV archives.This second collection of songs from the gravel-voiced legend brings us up to date with some of Rod's more recent appearances and features some magic mic-stand-twirling moments from exclusive live shows. Plus rarely seen BBC performances of some of his biggest hits from over the years, including Tonight's the Night, It's a Heartache, Have I Told You Lately and Sailing.

A deep-dive into the BBC's archives to celebrate the great Roy Orbison – full-time rock 'n' roll legend, part-time Traveling Wilbury and the man Elvis famously described as ‘the best singer in the world'.The Big O's story was in many ways a tragic one, full of family tragedies and heartbreak, and his extraordinary voice captured all those emotions and more, bringing a new dimension to popular music. This programme features some of the hits that had fans eraptured and fellow music superstars singing his praises, with performances from his many visits to the UK including Only the Lonely, Crying and Oh Pretty Woman.

A stunning selection of perfect performances of love songs from the BBC's music archives, including the sounds of Nat King Cole, Shania Twain, Billy Joel, Ed Sheeran and many, many more.

A selection of classic heartbreaking BBC performances from some of music's biggest stars, including George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and soul legend Dionne Warwick.

A selection of some of the best BBC moments and classic archive performances from those singers and bands who cracked Hollywood as well as the pop charts.These are the tunes that get hummed when leaving the cinemas over the years from blockbusters, Oscar winners, comedies and family favourites, featuring a selection of soundtrack stars including Destiny's Child, Paul Simon, All Saints, Simple Minds and Dolly Parton.

A selection of archive appearances on the BBC by singer Dusty Springfield through the decades, including performances of You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, Son of a Preacher Man and The Look of Love.

Ain't Nobody quite like Chaka Khan, and the proof of that comes courtesy of the BBC's music archives, which have been plundered for this celebration of one of the all-time great queens of soul.This selection of Chaka's finest BBC moments covers five decades of performing, reflecting a career that started in the 70s with her partnership with Rufus and eventually led to the massive number one hit I Feel for You, which helped bring rap right into the mainstream, and I'm Every Woman, an instant anthem that made her a lifelong female icon.

To mark his 75th birthday, Andrew Lloyd Webber takes a nostalgic journey through the BBC archives, looking back on some of his biggest and best-loved songs.Alongside performances from stars like Barbra Streisand, Elaine Paige, Diana Ross, Michael Ball and Michael Crawford are stories that Andrew shares from behind scenes of his most popular works - shedding light on how he knew Madonna would perform Evita years before she did, how the cast of Starlight Express ended up on roller skates, and how Jason Donovan and his Technicolour Dream Coat had a whole new generation falling in love with musical theatre.

When Burt Bacharach passed away in February 2023 at the age of 94, the world said goodbye to one of the all-time songwriting greats. This celebration of the man and his music features a selection of the finest songs from his extraordinary back catalogue and some ‘magic moments' from the BBC's archives.With performances from artists like Aretha and Adele, Dusty and Dionne, Cilla Black and the White Stripes, this is a collection that highlights exactly why Burt was considered a legend by fans, critics and fellow artists, demonstrating once again the why he and his compositions are universally loved by ‘anyone who had a heart.'

She was just 17 when she wrote the pop classic Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - a calling card that over the years Carole King has delivered on time and time again. The most successful female singer-songwriter of all time, and one of modern music's standout geniuses, Carole's catalogue of hits, many written with her songwriting partner and first husband Gerry Goffin for both herself and some of pop and rock's biggest stars, is second to none.This celebration of the best of Carole King features a collection of irresistible performances from her and a range of other great artists, taken from a selection of BBC shows from over the decades.

It's the city that gave birth to the Beatles, inspired Gerry to ride that ferry, and spawned Bunnymen and Atomic Kittens. Now with all eyes – and ears – on Liverpool for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, a look into the BBC's archives for a selection of performances from some of Merseyside's biggest and best-loved musical stars.Forget house music - this is scouse music, rich and varied, with some songs that conquered charts across the world and others that struck a special chord here – from The Story of the Blues to You'll Never Walk Alone, and inevitably, in a city with two massive football teams, Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Two Tribes.

A look back at one of British music's most enduring and significant partnerships, the Pet Shop Boys, with highlights from Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe's many appearances on the BBC that demonstrate their dedication to both style and substance.It's a journey that takes us from the early days of just two men and a synth right up to the fun and flamboyance of their modern live shows, including hit collaborations with Liza Minelli, Dusty Springfield and David Bowie - proving that Pet Shop Boys stand alongside the great pioneers of pop.

Alex Jones looks back at the highlights of the comedian and actor's career on a selection of BBC shows, sharing her own memories alongside some of Barry's funniest, rudest and most revealing moments from over the decades. It's a collection that demonstrates exactly why his alter egos of Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson were loved by comedy fans across the world, while also highlighting how it was Barry who was really one of a kind.

With a string of hits in the 1970s and '80s and a succession of hugely successful albums that he is still recording today, the American singer-songwriter has carved a unique place as both performer and songwriter. This programme features archive performances by Manilow, with songs from concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and Blenheim, as well as appearances on Top of the Pops, Strictly Come Dancing and the Proms.

The much-missed singer-songwriter was one of Britain's best-loved and most acclaimed music stars, rising to superstardom in the 1980s phenomenon with Wham!, before his subsequent solo work took his career to a whole new level. This collection of appearances on the BBC by the singer-songwriter both solo and as part of Wham! includes performances of Club Tropicana, Freedom, Faith, Outside and Amazing.

Archive performances by the band, from their first TV appearance on a Saturday morning show hosted by Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz right through to their headlining slots at Glastonbury. This collection features Country House, Parklife, Girls & Boys, Coffee & TV, Beetlebum, Tender and Out of Time.

A collection of Shania Twain's biggest moments from the BBC archives, including Still the One, That Don't Impress Me Much and Man! I Feel Like a Woman!

Archive performances by the pop group, featuring many of the 25 Top 40 singles they released over their career. It's a selection that covers those early days when the Fun Boy Three first introduced pop fans to the original line-up of Keren Woodward, Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey on It Ain't What You Do, as well as the end of the 1980s when Siobhan left and was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan.

A selection of the Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter's performances on BBC music programmes, featuring the hits Fallin', No One, Girl on Fire and Empire State of Mind.

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman were the producers who conquered the UK charts in the 1980s, with their instantly recognisable brand of disco floor-filling pop hits. They divided the nation between those who loved their high-energy sound and the singers they transformed into cheesy pop sensations, and a music press that loathed them for turning music-making into a production line. This selection celebrates some of their most memorable hits, from acts including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Dead or Alive, Donna Summer, Bananarama, and Mel and Kim.

Newly extended programme featuring a selection of archive performances by Kylie Minogue, from the early days with Stock Aitken Waterman to the dance sounds of the 1990s, the 2000s and beyond, including her collaborations with Robbie Williams, Nick Cave and Jason Donovan.

A celebration of the American R&B superstar that features the best of her appearances on a selection of BBC shows, from the mid 1990s up to her acclaimed 2015 performance on Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage. With hits like Just Fine, Everything and No More Drama, as well as collaborations with U2, George Michael and Elton John.

Archive performances by the band, charting their development from a blues band performing hits Albatross and Oh Well in the 1960s under founder members Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood, to pop rock stars in the 1980s with the line-up who recorded their seminal 1977 album Rumours. There are also archive interviews and solo performances from band members Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie as they went their own way at various points in their careers.

A collection of the singer's most popular hits, covers and classics from a huge range of shows, including her own series and TV specials that were a feature of the BBC's light entertainment schedules in the 1960s and '70s. There are duets with Neil Diamond, Bill Withers, Shirley Bassey and Al Green, and songs including To Sir with Love, The Man with the Golden Gun and the Bowie-penned The Man Who Sold the World.

When Blondie first exploded onto the music scene with their debut UK hit Denis they were an immediate sensation and instantly embraced by the British record-buying public. Debbie Harry's inimitable cool, and the band's pioneering new-wave, New York sound made them one of the most significant bands of the era - and gave them an impressive six number one singles. This programme take a trip through the BBC archives to sample the best of Blondie over the years, with appearances from the late-1970s up to recent times featuring performances of songs including Call Me, Atomic, Picture This, Rapture and The Tide Is High.

Another slice of disco delight with a celebration of nightclub classics taken from the very best of the BBC's archives, including Rock Your Baby, Ring My Bell and Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.

Rory Bremner looks back at the life and career of Mike Yarwood, master of the imitation game and one of the BBC's most successful stars of the 1970s and 80s.Yarwood captured the British public's imagination with his huge range of impressions featuring the biggest names from the world of showbiz and politics, and in his 70s heyday, his affectionate takes on the likes of Harold Wilson, Edward Heath and Denis Healey were the bridge between the 60s satire of That Was the Week That Was and the far crueller caricatures of Spitting Image in the 1980s.Rory assesses Yarwood's style, impact and legacy and shares his own favourite moments from his hero's career using archive clips and interviews that Yarwood gave over the years - often to the very people he was impersonating.

Another fantastic selection of dance floor disco classics, featuring a wealth of performances from the BBC's music archives, including Tina Charles, The Real Thing, Sister Sledge and The Bee Gees.

Aretha Franklin is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest singers of all time, and yet more proof of that can be found in this collection of her performances on BBC programmes from across the decades.From a stunning 2015 performance of You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman) that had President Barack Obama in tears to gems from the 1970s, when Aretha dropped in to be the guest star on shows hosted by Cliff Richard and Lulu, these songs and her voice will remind everyone why she is still to this day considered the ultimate queen of soul.

A look at the life and career of 60s icon and girl-group pioneer Ronnie Spector, featuring performances in shows such as Later… with Jools Holland, The Old Grey Whistle Test and Glastonbury 2016.

A look back at some of Dolly Parton's finest performances at the BBC, incorporating her greatest moments and hits such as Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream and Here You Come Again.

A selection of some of Elaine Paige's best-loved songs and finest performances at the BBC, including huge hits like Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Memory and I Know Him So Well.

A collection of Stevie Wonder's best BBC moments, including such hits as I Just Called to Say I Love You, Happy Birthday, He's Misstra Know-It-All and Love's in Need of Love Today.

They're Britain's best-loved and most enduring boys-to-men band, and here we celebrate a selection of Take That's greatest BBC appearances from their long and varied career. This collection contains all the biggest hits that you'll never forget, from both phases of the band's existence: the glorious early days of nonstop number ones, when Gary, Robbie, Mark, Howard and Jason were everyone's favourite pop pin-ups; and then the 21st-century comeback that nobody expected, where the fans' patience paid off and the band reinstated themselves at the top of the charts. Of course, everything changes over the years, and we capture them as a five-piece, a quartet and a trio, but what shines through at all times are the quality of the songwriting and performances, and that magical connection with the audiences that's made them such a hit for so long.

It's been over 30 years since the Mistress of Melisma Mariah Carey stepped onto our screens and started giving us Emotions.To celebrate the singer who conquered the 1990s and changed the sound of pop and R&B forever, we delve into the BBC archives to bring you all of her best-loved hits, from Vision of Love through to Honey and Shake It Off.We embrace the highest notes in pop with Open Arms and prove once and for all that when it comes to our Hero Mariah, it's true that We Belong Together.

She's got one of pop's most powerful voices and has belted out some of the greatest love songs of all time, so prepare to swoon as Celine Dion gets the At the BBC treatment.This collection of Celine's best performances from the biggest shows includes all her most famous hits and moments, from the 1988 Eurovision performance that first introduced her to British audiences to the Oscar-winning soundtrack smashes she enjoyed with Beauty and the Beast and, of course, Titanic's My Heart Will Go On.

She's been one of the world's most successful and talked about performers of the century, and last year's triumph of the #FreeBritney campaign means she's still relevant more than two decades after she first grabbed our attention.Her explosive arrival on the music scene aged just 16 made Britney a frequent visitor to some of TV's biggest shows, and here we've captured the biggest and best of those performances, with hits including Crazy, Overprotected, Toxic and Oops! I Did it Again. So, why not join us and revisit her best BBC moments One More Time?

Join us for this celebration of pop's greatest LGBTQ+ stars whose gender and sexuality are central to the story of their individual careers and the amazing songs they've created.Our rainbow alliance of amazing artists includes George Michael, Boy George, Freddie Mercury, Beth Ditto, MNEK, Lil Nas X and Barry Manilow. Some pushed boundaries and challenged gender stereotypes from the very start, others only revealed their true selves after years of success and speculation – but all have played their part in changing the world of popular music and the sounds that we listen to and love.

A look back through the BBC's archives, celebrating the best Brummie bands, artists and performances from the past five decades. This collection of Birmingham's finest acts showcases how England's second city has led the way when it comes to musical diversity, with a range of tracks covering reggae, metal, ska, dance, rap and pure pop.Amongst the hit acts featured are UB40, Dexys Midnight Runners, Duran Duran, Judas Priest, Joan Armatrading, ELO, Laura Mvula, The Streets and Black Sabbath, whose classic track Paranoid gets its first BBC outing since 1970 – a rare chance to see a young Ozzy Osbourne doing what he did best before becoming a reality TV superstar.

Enjoy the Thrill of It All and Dance Away the Evening for this dive into the BBC's archives to look over some of the finest performances from both Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry.As a band, they were innovative, helping create the look and sound of the 1970s, and Ferry's solo career saw him hit new heights as the embodiment of sophisticated cool. Amongst the hits included are classics like Do The Strand, Avalon, Slave to Love and In Every Dream Home a Heartache…but the programme covers their entire careers, do prepare for More Than This.

A journey back in time for a selection of Kylie's best and biggest performances on the BBC.It's a journey from the early, girl-next-door days with Stock Aitken Waterman to the boundary-pushing dance sounds of the 90s, 00s and beyond. Along for the ride are some of the eclectic mix of stars Kylie has collaborated with over the years, including Robbie Williams, Nick Cave and Jason Donovan.Together, this collection of magical BBC moments highlights why Kylie has always had a special place in the British public's hearts.

A special tribute to the much-loved star, who died in August 2022 at the age of 73 after a music career spanning over five decades and years spent raising awareness of breast cancer.It was the success of Grease that turned Olivia into an international sensation, but she was already familiar to BBC audiences thanks to appearances like many of those captured in this collection. These include her own TV specials, guest appearances on some of the biggest entertainment shows of the day, and the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, where Olivia represented the United Kingdom, going into battle with eventual winners Abba.The songs featured here were often even bigger successes in America, thanks to Olivia's popularity on the US country music charts, which then crossed over to the mainstream and ultimately continued post-Grease, with classics like Physical and Xanadu helping to define the early 1980s.

A special celebration of Dame Cleo Laine's finest moments on the BBC to coincide with her ninety-fifth birthday. Britain's ‘First Lady of Jazz' became a star after joining The John Dankworth Seven in the 1950s and then marrying the bandleader. Internationally renowned for her mastery of the ‘scat' singing style, and with a voice that has been described as ‘one of the richest contraltos in recording history', Cleo has now enjoyed over six decades of success and acclaim here and across the world.These are the highlights of her extraordinary career, with classic songs like Send in the Clowns and I Love You, Porgy, and duets with John Williams, Dudley Moore, Tony Bennett, and of course, her musical partner and fellow jazz legend Johnny Dankworth.

A look back at the best BBC moments of Ed Sheeran, who's been bringing his A game to viewers and listeners since before his first big hit, The A Team. Since that debut, he has enjoyed 13 number ones and had so many hits that the rules on how many singles could enter the charts had to be rewritten.It's a career that's seen Ed dazzle audiences on a huge range of BBC shows and special concerts, so prepare for Shivers with this selection of his most Perfect performances.

As the legendary Petula Clark prepares to celebrate her ninetieth birthday, we look back on an extraordinary career that has stretched across eight decades and made her one of our most popular, successful and enduring stars.This collection of Petula's finest moments at the BBC ranges from 21st-century performances with Jools Holland on Later right back to the 1940s when ‘Britain's Shirley Temple' was just a teenager, showcasing her talents on early broadcasts from Alexandra Palace.The journey from child star to icon of British entertainment includes years as one of the biggest names in television and West End musicals like The Sound of Music, as well as huge chart success, both in the UK and across Europe, especially in France where her star shone almost as brightly as it did here.Featuring much-loved classics like Downtown, Don't Sleep in the Subway, This Is My Song and many more, this is a birthday celebration that Petula fans will not want to miss.

A collection of songs from the kings and queens of the keyboards, whose performances have captivated audiences over the decades and across a selection of the BBC's best-loved music programmes.From piano pioneers like Little Richard, Nina Simone and Ray Charles, who showed the world that the new sounds of pop and rock didn't just revolve around guitars, right through to modern maestros like Elton John, Lady Gaga and the BBC's own Jools Holland, these are the big names who got us tapping our feet by letting their fingers do the talking.

A look back at the life and career of Robbie Coltrane, one of Britain's best-loved stars and a giant of both the big and the small screen. His death earlier this year was one of the big shocks of 2022. Here, Celia Imrie narrates an affectionate tribute to one of Scotland's favourite sons, telling his story through a selection of interviews and special moments from his appearances on BBC shows over the decades.This retrospective is a reminder of how Robbie first grabbed audiences' attention as an exciting new comedy star in the 1980s, and the transition he made in the 1990s into cinema success and international stardom with roles in some of the movie world's biggest blockbuster franchises.

A selection of songs by one of soul music's biggest-ever voices, illustrating why the world sat up and listened when Whitney Houston burst onto the scene in 1985 with Saving All My Love for You. This playlist traverses the '80s, '90s and '00s, leading to the star's early death in 2012, which was wildly regarded as a tragic loss to the world of contemporary music.

A celebration of the finest appearances by Duran Duran on the BBC, featuring live performances on The Old Grey Whistle Test, Wogan and Top of the Pops.

A foot-stomping return to the BBC vaults of Top of the Pops, The Old Grey Whistle Test and Later with Jools as the programme spins itself to a time when disco ruled the floor, the airwaves and our minds. The visual floorfillers include classics from luminaries such as Chic, Labelle and Rose Royce to glitter ball surprises by The Village People.