We take you backstage of Top Of The Pops Christmas show

Even though it’s warm within the studio, he has an enormous beanie hat which unfortunately for him would not quite cover the total of his face. Everyone can see how pasty skinned and red eyed he’s. ‘He’s really hungover,’ whispers another member of The Wanted (they’re interchangeably handsome).

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And at the ‘snowflake stage’, going over their steps as though their lives relied on it are Little Mix. It’s their first day as fully fledged pop stars as they simply won the X Factor the night before.

They have had two hours sleep but you’ll find the determination on this band as they practice, practice, practice. Surprisingly, sweet little Jade Thirwell seems to be the bossiest member of the band. ‘We’re surviving on Red Bull today,’ she tells me.

I’m behind the curtain of this year’s Top of the Pops Christmas Special and there’s a palpable sense of pleasure. Top of the Pops itself was disbanded in 2006 after dwindling audiences but this generation of father stars are still the right age to be genuinely excited to look on it.

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In between their sound checks lots of them have their pictures taken next to the old show’s signs which were dotted across the studio.

‘i’d watch it per week on a Friday and that i remember being really upset once they stopped it,’ says Harley Alexander-Sule of the Rizzle Kicks who’s walking around in a couple of big dog shaped slippers. ‘I’m so, so excited to be at the show. i’m actually looking to subdue my emotions otherwise i might burst.’

He’s not even being sarcastic.

For generations of Brits, since Top of The Pops had its first appearance with a risqué band called The Rolling Stones in 1964, appearing at the BBC1 show was a sure sign which you had made it.

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‘There’s a real sense of occasion,’ says producer Mark Cooper, who oversaw the weekly show’s dying days and remains guilty for the Christmas specials. ‘When the acts are available in and notice the highest of the Pops neon signs they get really excited.

Because it’s only yearly here’s a fair more unique opportunity they usually all appreciate it. Once it was week in and week out but now in the event that they have made it onto Top Of The Pops, where we celebrate many of the year’s best singles, there needs to be an actual sense of accomplishment.’

Just like inside the old days there are dozens of screaming girls outside the BBC Television Centre. This year most of them are there for The Wanted.

‘I remember thinking that if someone was on Top of the Pops they were massive,’ says the band’s Tom Parker. ‘They should have made it; they were rich and famous. How wrong i used to be.’

Front of stage can be all glitz and glamour but that’s fascinated with show. Behind the curtain it’s pretty grim.

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The old ‘Star Bar’ where once upon a time celebs would down champagne and snog one another have been revived for one night only.

Normally it really is now used to store costumes for Strictly Come Dancing. The ground is dirty lino and the corner couches show the odd little bit of foam. There’s even an Alan Titchmarsh sign propped up by the door.

But there are no less than mince pies and mulled wine which The Wanted boys jump on hungrily before initiating a food fight. Their tour manager bears the brunt of it, because the boys stuff such a lot of mince pies in his face that the poor man is left gagging. 

Once upon a time pop stars would get the appropriate VIP treatment on Top of The Pops.

When Jennifer Lopez appeared she had her dressing rooms (always a couple of for this diva) draped in white with dozens of orchids to embellish them. Now they’re lucky in the event that they have an old television of their grey shabby room.

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‘That’s BBC budgets for you,’ says Mark the producer.

Indie band The Vaccines aren’t impressed: ‘The fridge was empty and we struggled to even get a bottle of water,’ says lead singer Freddie Cowan. ‘We did eventually get a tuna sandwich. Thanks for giving us this cup of mulled wine!’

The Wanted are equally miffed: ‘We needed to ask someone to visit Nandos for us or even then we needed to pay,’ say Max. They fight and exercise session how bands like JLS be able to get free Nandos.

They would all love Top of the Pops to come even The Vaccines who’re keen to distance themselves from the pop acts. ‘It’s this kind of British institution and is gloomy that’s not on anymore,’ says Marcus. ‘Music is intrinsic to all our lives but there are so few music shows on television.’

But once I mention this to Mark he’s sanguine. ‘There’s a sense of nostalgia about Top of The Pops but i believe it really is partly since it reminds people in their childhoods and they’re getting that confused with the show itself.

‘Bringing the show back is simple to need for but not o.k. thought out. It’s like Father Christmas. We’d all like him to be real, wouldn’t we? But (pull away now kids) I don’t think he’s.’

•   The tip of the Pops Christmas special might be on BBC1 at 2pm on Christmas Day.