It seems UK Culture Secretary Andy Burnham was a bit of a Top Of The Pops fan. Speaking at the In The City convention in Manchester on Sunday, the MP told the conference that he thought TV was failing new musicians, who no longer have the chance to be widely recognised that programmes like Top Of The Pops once offered.

He said: “We need a programme like Top of the Pops again. This was a great thing that was always putting a great mix of new music before the public. [Broadcasters must] promote and champion new music in this country, rather than having just very safe options on prime-time TV”.

Speaking to BBC News after his speech, he said: “I just worry a little that the relationship between prime time TV and radio and the music industry has at times become a little cosy. It’s relying on safe formats and not sufficiently putting out those new names that can then all of a sudden go from the margins right into national prominence. 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’”.