July 19, 2009 11:12

Pet Shop Boys: 'Bring back Top Of The Pops'

Neil Tennant joins campaign for return of BBC music show

Pet Shop Boys frontman Neil Tennant has urged the BBC to bring back 'Top Of The Pops'.

The music TV show, which ran for 42 years, was axed in 2006.

"I don't see why Top Of The Pops isn't on," he said. "I think it's a shame. I think it was defeatist to get rid of it.

"I think it must be really strange to be a new artist. Like if JLS are Number One on Sunday, they won't have that great moment of being crowned that week's Kings Of Pop."

The Ting Tings have already campaigned for the show's return as has former Culture minister Andy Burnham.

Responding to Tennant's comments, a BBC spokesman said there were no plans to bring back the programme, reports BBC News.

"Top Of The Pops was decommissioned in 2006 as it became clear that the ever increasing competition from multimedia and niche musical outlets meant it no longer occupied the central role it once did," he said.