Top of the Pops - 1992 Christmas Special - 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 23 on BBC Four

Mark Franklin (Presenter)

Tony Dortie (Presenter)

Whitney Houston (Performer)

Born: August 09, 1963 in East Orange, New Jersey

Best Known For: Her number one cover version of Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You.

Early-life: Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on 9th August, 1963, in East Orange, New Jersey, to gospel and blues singer Cissy Houston. Music was always a major part of her life, as her mother was already a veteran performer by the time she was born and her aunt, Dionne Warwick, was a global star. The young Whitney was a diva in the making, but her family was keen for her to gain a good education before she devoted herself to music.

Career: Houston initially worked as a model, but her remarkable vocal ability quickly landed her a recording contract and led to one hit single and album after another. In 1992, she made her movie debut alongside Kevin Costner in box-office hit The Bodyguard, and went on to star in Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife. She returned to the music scene in 2009 when she released her seventh studio album, I Look to You, and embarked on a major tour a year later. She died on February 11, 2012. Her body was recovered from a bath at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California. She was 48.

Quote: On dealing with her drug and alcohol problems: "I looked within my soul. I partied my tail off, but now that's over. I talked to people who went to rehab and I decided it's more of what's in your soul. I'm praying every day."

Trivia: In 2001, Houston was the first artist to be given a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michael Jackson (Performer)

Born: August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana

Best Known For: His offbeat lifestyle and his music.

Early-life: Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, into a musical family in Gary, Indiana. He had three older brothers, Jackie, Tito and Jermaine, and began performing with them and his younger sibling, Marlon, when he was just five. By the time he was 10, their band, the Jackson Five, had been signed to the Motown record label. They had a remarkable run of success during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Career: By the early 1980s, Michael was an established solo performer with a string of hit singles, and acclaimed album, Off the Wall. In 1983 he released Thriller, which became the biggest-selling album of all time. Despite continued success with such releases as Bad and Dangerous, the strain of celebrity status began to show in the 1990s, as tabloids began featuring unflattering stories about him. His physical appearance also changed dramatically, and his career was less successful in the latter years of his life. In March 2009, Michael announced a series of comeback concerts titled This Is It at the 02 arena in London. A 50-date residency in London was due to start in July, 2009, but less than three weeks before the first show was due to begin, Jackson died on June 25th after suffering cardiac arrest. After his death, Michael became the best-selling artist of 2009 following a surge in album sales. Thirty-five million albums were sold worldwide in the 12 months following his death. Michael, the first of 10 proposed new albums with previously unreleased material, went on sale in November 2010. Despite mixed reviews, the album has sold well around the world.

Quote: "Just because you read it in a magazine or see it on a TV screen doesn't make it factual."

Trivia: He was a double-inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1997 and later as a solo artist in 2001.

Charles & Eddie (Performer)

Arrested Development (Performer)

Rage (Performer)

Boyz II Men (Performer)

Madonna (Performer)

Born: August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan

Best Known For: Being the most successful female recording artist of the 20th century.

Early-life: Born Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone in Michigan, USA, on August 16, 1958. Her mother died of breast cancer when Madonna was five. With her seven siblings she was then sent to live with various relatives until her father remarried. A new family unit was formed, and Madonna was given a great deal of responsibility, spending most of her adolescence caring for her brothers and sisters. After attending the University of Michigan, she left for New York to begin studying under acclaimed choreographer Alvin Ailey.

Career: Madonna was signed to Sire in 1982 as a solo performer and her eponymous debut album was released in 1983. The bubbly hit Holiday became her first top 40 single, followed by Borderline, which hit the top 10. A string of film roles followed in Desperately Seeking Susan, Dick Tracy, Body of Evidence, A League of Their Own, and a cameo appearance in Die Another Day. She also landed the coveted role of Evita, winning a Golden Globe for her performance. In her musical career, Madonna has won numerous awards with her multi-million-selling records. In 2003 she published her first children's book, The English Roses. She continues to tour and release albums.

Quote: "A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That's why they don't get what they want."

Trivia: Madonna has sold more than 300 million records worldwide.

Tasmin Archer (Performer)

The Shamen (Performer)

Dr Alban (Performer)

Undercover (Performer)

Snap (Performer)

Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe (Performer)

Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson (Performer)

Jimmy Nail (Performer)

Born: March 16, 1954 in Newcastle upon Tyne

Best Known For: Oz in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet .

Early-life: Born James Michael Aloysius Bradford on March 16, 1954, in Newcastle upon Tyne. His dad was a professional footballer with Huddersfield Town. A wayward youth, Nail engaged in petty crime and football hooliganism, landing a spell in Strangeways Prison for a GBH conviction. Back outside, he became a welder before his showbusiness career took off. He also sang in a rock band called King Crabs.

Career: Nail hit the big time in 1983 when he was cast as Oz in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, and his striking appearance landed him roles in the films Howling II (1985), Morons From Outer Space (1985) and Just Ask for Diamond (1988). He then went on to write and star in his own TV series Spender and the semi-autobiographical Crocodile Shoes. Films include Danny, the Champion of the World (1990), Evita (1996) with Madonna, and Still Crazy (1998) (with Auf Wiedersehen, Pet co-stars Timothy Spall and Bill Nighy). He enjoyed a musical career, with chart hits Love Don't Live Here Anymore, Ain't No Doubt and Crocodile Shoes, which sold 900,000 copies in 1994. The 2002 run of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet sprang from Nail's chance meeting with creator Franc Roddam in London. Nail agreed to do a new series on the spot and, after a few phone calls, the rest of the cast followed suit. It was followed up with a further two series and has now come to a dignified end. He is currently starring on Broadway in Sting's The Last Ship.

Quote: "I find it very hard to play a part, then take it off like a cheap suit and become Mr Normal."

Trivia: He published his autobiography, A Northern Soul, in 2005.

Erasure (Performer)

Nick Berry (Performer)

Born: April 16, 1963 in Woodford, Essex

Best Known For: Playing Simon `Wicksy" Wicks in EastEnders

Early-life: Born in Woodford, Essex, on April 16, 1963, he dreamed of becoming an actor, and trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London before landing minor parts in The Box of Delights, where he appeared as a rat, and in Brit flick Party Party, which had the likes of Karl Howman, Clive Mantle, Caroline Quentin and fellow future EastEnder Perry Fenwick in the leading roles.

Career: Berry's big break came when he clinched the role of Simon Wicks in EastEnders in 1985. He played the ladiesman for five years. During that time he had a number one single with Every Loser Wins - a song originally sung by his character in the show. After leaving Walford, his next big role was PC Nick Rowan in rural drama Heartbeat. Set in the 1960s, it was a big success, and Berry had another chart success - this time reaching Number 2 with the show's theme tune. He departed after six years, before taking parts in Paparazzo, Harbour Lights, The Mystery of Men and In Deep. He now prefers to stay behind the camera, running the company Valentine Productions.

Quote: On returning to EastEnders: "I haven't been asked. But I never say never because you never know what's going to happen around the corner".

Trivia: He supports West Ham United FC.

Guns N' Roses (Performer)

Curiosity Killed the Cat (Performer)

Stanley Appel (Producer)

Arch Dyson (Director)

Top of the Pops: 1992 Christmas Special

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Tuesday, December 23 on BBC Four (9)

About this Broadcast

1992 Christmas Special
Season 1992, Episode 1

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