31 January

Birthdays

 * Carol Hawkins (b.1949), Phil Manzanera (b.1951), John Lydon (b.1956), Lloyd Cole (b.1961), Minnie Driver (b.1970), Justin Timberlake (b.1981)

Events

 * 1971: Apollo 14 launched.
 * 1979: European Figure Skating Championships begin in Zagreb
 * 1983: Get the Balance Right!
 * 1984: Top 40: Radio Gaga highest new entry, Nik Kershaw debut; Alas Smith & Jones
 * 1986: The Tube
 * 2003: A Song For Europe (R2)
 * 2016: RIP Terry Wogan
 * 2020: Brexit begins
 * 2023: Eurovision handover ceremony in Liverpool

Charts
as announced on this day, with no.1 single (new in bold). Click year for full chart.
 * 1968: Love Affair - Everlasting Love (1/2)
 * 1971: George Harrison - My Sweet Lord (2/5)
 * 1978: Althea & Donna - Uptown Top Ranking (1/1)
 * 1984: Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (2/5)
 * 1988: Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now (2/3)
 * 1993: Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You (10/10)
 * 1999: Armand Van Helden - You Don't Know Me (1/1 - one and only week on the Top 40)
 * 2010: Owl City - Fireflies (2/3)

Top of the Pops
host DJ and number one single. Click year for show details.
 * 1974: DLT. Mud - Tiger Feet.
 * 1980: David Jensen. The Specials – Too Much Too Young.
 * 1985: Janice Long & Peter Powell. Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is.
 * 1991: Anthea Turner. The KLF – 3 a.m. Eternal
 * 1997: Noddy Holder. Blur - Beetlebum.
 * 2003: Sarah Cawood. David Sneddon – Stop Living The Lie.