2003

MMIII


 * UK Prime Minister: Tony Blair (second term, Iraq War)


 * FA Cup Winners: Arsenal (beat Southampton 1-0), Millenium Stadium, 17 May


 * Christmas Number One: Michael Andrews and Gary Jules - Mad World


 * Eurovision Song Contest: Riga, Latvia, 24 May
 * Contest Winner: Sertab Erener - Everyway That I Can (Turkey)
 * UK Eurovision Entry:  Jemini - Cry Baby (26th - last with 0 points)


 * Blue Peter Team: Konnie Huq, Simon Thomas, Matt Baker, Liz Barker


 * Doctor Who: -


 * Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ: Sara Cox, until 19 December.


 * Big Christmas Day Film On BBC1: afternoon - Stuart Little

Main events

 * Feb.: Anti-Iraq War demonstrations, London congestion charge introduced
 * March: British troops enter Iraq
 * Apr.: British take Basra, Saddam Hussein toppled
 * May: Champions League final at Old Trafford
 * June:  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book published
 * July: Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich buys Chelsea FC, David Kelly found dead
 * August: highest ever UK recorded temperature of 38.5°C (until July 2019)
 * Oct.: final Concorde commercial flight
 * Nov.: Brookside ends (after 21 years), George W. Bush on state visit to UK, England rugby world champions
 * Dec.: first UK toll motorway (M6), Mick Jagger receives knighthood

Main events

 * BBC Three launched (09 Feb.), BBC Choice shuts down (08 Feb.)

New shows

 * BBC: Little Britain,


 * ITV: Fortysomething

Shows ending

 * Crossroads, Wish You Were Here...?, Only Fools and Horses (final Christmas Special), Blind Date (revived 2017), Smack the Pony, Pop Idol (second and final season), The Office

Main events

 * Mark Goodier presents chart on Classic FM, Jeremy Vine takes over Radio 2 lunchtime show, Wes Butters takes over BBC R1 Official Charts show, Radio 1 holds One Big Weekend in May and September, Sara Cox presents final breakfast show (19 Dec.) (replaced by Chris Moyles in 2004

Music
UK Top 40 debuts:


 * Biggest selling singles: Black Eyed Peas - "Where Is the Love?Title (full list)


 * Biggest selling albums:  Artist - Title  (full list)


 * Compilation albums: Title


 * Debut albums: Artist - Title (full list)


 * Eponymous debuts - Artist, Artist,


 * Alternative/independent: Artist - Title