THOUSANDS of pop fans lined the banks of the Tyne last night to enjoy a piece of broadcasting history.

Top of the Pops: Alfresco was beamed live on BBC1 from the Baltic Square, Gateshead Quays, at 7pm.

It was the first time, in its 40-year history, that the live show has been broadcast as an open-air gig.

Viewers around Britain saw performances from Sugababes, Busted, Will Young, Shapeshifters and The Lost Prophets.

The line-up also included the latest singles by Jamelia, Natasha Bedingfield, Javine and Estelle.

Girls Aloud also took to the stage giving Geordie Cheryl Tweedy the chance to perform in front of her home crowd.

The show was hosted by regular presenters Fearne Cotton, Tim Kash and Reggie Yates.

Fearne said: "Newcastle-Gateshead has got this funky, modern and cool image and it is seen to be doing its own thing.

"It has got a reputation as the new hip place to hang out, so filming Top of the Pops here is really good for the area because it shows what a cool place it is and how good all the architecture is."

Originally transmitted from a converted church in Manchester, Top of the Pops was commissioned for only six shows in 1964. Since then there have been almost 2,000 shows, but last night was its first live outside broadcast.

Leader of Gateshead Borough Council, Councillor Mick Henry, said: "Over the past seven weeks, we have worked closely with the behind-the-scenes team to help plan the event and to make sure we provided the TOTP crew, presenters, guests and audience with the perfect backdrop to the Friday night show.

"Here in Gateshead we have a reputation for hosting high profile events including the Norwich Union Grand Prix and the Orange Evolution Festival and we are looking forward to the opening of The Sage Gateshead and the Tall Ships Race over the next year to which this is the perfect curtain raiser."

Among the crowd was Nicola Collier, 28, of Jesmond, Newcastle, who said: "It was a really good atmosphere and there were more acts than you usually see on television. Hopefully, it will bring some more events like this to Newcastle-Gateshead."

Published: 31/07/2004