The Ting Tings have called for the retun of the Top of the Pops - and have offered to be the first band to perform on the show.

The band's drummer Jules De Martino told Absolute Radio that the band would be prepared to “force” their way onto the programme.

"Bring back TOTP and let us be the first band to play on it," he added.

The decision to drop Top of the Pops in 2006 was widely criticised. For 42 years the programme had helped pioneer new and established bands on TV.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham led calls to reinstate the show earlier this month, telling a new music conference in Manchester that it was central to exposing young bands to wider audiences.

He said that since the programme had been dropped by the BBC there was nothing providing a “great mix of new music before the public.”

(by Jason Gregory)