Argh! Our eyes! Colour telly meant all kinds of changes at the Pops, but none more so eye-lickingly ace than the costumed fancies of the Bowies, Bolans, Slades, Wizzards and Sweets of the pop world. And while the world outside was jobless, poor or on strike, the peacocks in the Pops studio did their bit to cheer up the nation week after week.

The eye candy didn't stop there either. The glam brigade were soon joined by security risk-inducing boy bands (Jackson Five, Osmonds, Bay City Rollers), gliding hordes of disco nutters and the all spitting, all pogoing punk movement. The past was so bright, everyone had to wear shades.