Michael Jackson video to relaunch Top Of The Pops

Under-fire Michael Jackson is to have his new video aired to relaunch Top Of The Pops this week, it was announced today.

The singer is at number one in the album charts and sales do not appear to have been dented by an investigation into child molestation allegations.

The BBC said it would be screening an “exclusive look” at a video released to coincide with the release of his chart-topper Number Ones.

Jackson is heading for the top five of the singles chart this weekend with his track One More Chance, showing fans are undeterred by the furore surrounding the star.

TOTP is being reborn as ALL NEW Top Of The Pops this Friday with a one-hour special, and will in future be broadcast live.

Guests will include Victoria Beckham, who will give viewers the chance to choose which of two tracks on her double a-side single she should perform on a future show.

Sir Elton John will be performing live from Atlanta with a rendition of Your Song, which was only the second track he ever played on TOTP back in 1970.

Kylie Minogue will be in the studio, and The Darkness’s new video for their festive track Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) will be given its premiere.

:: Mel C is turning TV presenter for an international edition of Top Of The Pops.

She will host a 40th anniversary special for the show on the BBC’s overseas station BBC Prime. Viewers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa will be able to choose from their favourite acts of the past four decades to decide who should be seen in a New Year’s Eve edition of the show.

Votes can be cast online (at www.bbcprime.com/totp40).