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The BBC has opted not to celebrated the 50th anniversary of Top Of The Pops, following the ongoing Jimmy Saville child abuse scandal, it has been reported.

The show first aired on New Year's Day in 1964, but unlike recent television celebrations for Dr Who, the BBC opted not to host any celebrations for the channels former music flagship show, due to Saville's association with the programme.

Patrick Humphreys, the author of a book released to celebrated the anniversary of the show spoke of his sadness that there would be no event in honour of TOTP, told The Daily Star: "It’s upsetting because I think the show deserves to be remembered for what it was, the excitement it created and what it went on to become."

A spokeperson for the BBC also told the tabloid that there were no plans for an anniversary programme. Two shows were broadcast over the Christmas period, on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve - but neither were screened to as 50 year celebrations.

Jimmy Saville was one of the co-presenters of the first ever show and was one of the most recognisable hosts of the show's history.