Top Of The Pops episode presented by Shaun Ryder pulled from iPlayer
A NUMBER of episodes of Top Of The Pops have reportedly been pulled from iPlayer.
One edition of the hit music chart television programme presented by Shaun Ryder may have been deemed too controversial to now be shown to audiences.
Over the years, Top Of The Pops has seen legendary faces of the screen and radio front the show over a number of decades.
The likes of Tony Blackburn, Noel Edmonds, Steve Wright, Anthea Turner and Jo Whiley all gained a following after their stints.
Zoe Ball, Kate Thornton, Virgin Radio’s Jayne Middlemiss, and Fearne Cotton were also amongst the names to front the hit show.
I’m A Celebrity legend Shaun, 62, previously presented an edition of the show in December 1996.
However, it has now been claimed that the episode has been pulled from the streaming service because it is too controversial.
It reportedly featured the star mocking past Top Of The Pops presenter – and predatory sex offender – Jimmy Saville.
Convicted paedophile Gary Glitter also fronted three instalments of the show back in 1996.
One dedicated Top Of The Pops fan account on X, formerly known as Twitter, claimed that the episodes will never see the light of day again due to their understandable controversy.
“We won’t be seeing the 6 December 1996 edition of #TOTP (as it was presented by Gary Glitter).
“Or the 20 December 1996 edition (because Shaun Ryder impersonated Jimmy Savile in nearly every link, while wearing a wig, holding a cigar, and referring to himself as “Junior Jimmy”…).”
The Sun has contacted the BBC for comment.
This comes after the publicly funded corporation will welcome back Top Of The Pops for a festive special.
The show is titled, Top Of The Pops: Review Of 2024 and it will air on BBC Two this Christmas.
Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo, 40, will return to screens in December with music performances from some of the biggest pop stars of 2024.
In 2006, the BBC cancelled the long-running show after years of decline in viewership.
During its 1970’s heyday, the programme attracted over 15 million viewers each week.
Top Of The Pops: Review Of 2024 will air on BBC Two and iPlayer this Christmas.