text: Pick of the Pops is a long-running BBC Radio programme; it was based originally on the Top 20 from the UK Singles Chart and was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on 4 October 1955. It transferred to BBC Radio 1 (simulcast on BBC Radio 2) from 1967 to 1972. The show returned to the BBC in 1989 and its current production run started on BBC Radio 2 in 1997.
  Its longest-serving presenter was Alan Freeman for almost 40 years, on and off, from 1961 to 1962 and from 1964 to 2000. The current host is Mark Goodier, following the death of Steve Wright.
  Original format (1955–72)
  Initially, the show did not feature chart music, but in September 1957, Alan Dell introduced the format of running through the charts of the week; he played the top tens from various music papers, plus entries to the top 20s.