The UK's most successful music TV show, Top of the Pops, had its own millennium celebrations on Friday when its 2,000th edition was broadcast.

The show has become a national institution since it was first shown in 1964.

The first Top of the Pops was hosted by Jimmy Savile

One band who have been around almost as long as the show, Status Quo, will be making their 106th appearance on the anniversary programme.

No other band has appeared as many times of the programme.

The show has had many highs and lows, with the latest controversy coming when its producer, Chris Cowey, recently accused record companies of fixing the charts.

The 2,000th anniversary is the second major party for the show in the last 12 months.

In October 2001, it was given a revamp as it celebrated its move back to its home at BBC Television Centre after 10 years away.

Friday's show saw Status Quo giving a "special birthday rendition" of their classic hit Rocking All Over the World.

Atomic Kitten are at number one in the charts

In a recent Top of the Pops interview, guitarist Rick Parfitt described what the show meant to the band.

"You just can't imagine how I felt when we first heard that we've got Top of the Pops. I was in my car and nearly smashed it up," he said.

Also on Friday's bill were former All Saints singers Appleton, whose single Fantasy is currently at number two.

Veteran crooner Tom Jones performed a duet with United States rapper Wyclef, while Atomic Kitten performed their number one The Tide Is High, a cover version of the Blondie hit.

United States rock duo The White Stripes appeared, as did UK dance producer Jurgen Vries, whose real name is Darren Tate.

It has also been announced Pop Idol finalists Will Young and Gareth Gates will be joined by Craig David on the bill for the Top of the Pops awards.

The awards - voted for by magazine readers - are being held at Manchester's MEN Arena on 29 November.

Producer Chris Cowey: Show is "successful in spite of the top 40 chart"

The first Top of the Pops was broadcast from a converted church hall in Dickenson Road, Manchester on New Year's Day 1964.

The show was hosted by Jimmy Savile, and featured bands including the Rolling Stones, The Hollies and the Beatles.

It was conceived as a rival to ITV's music show Ready Steady Go, and was originally meant to run only for six weeks, but has since established itself as the UK's most popular music show.

The show attracted 10 million fans during its 1970s heyday and is now watched by about three million viewers.

On Monday, Mr Cowey said the top 40 chart, which forms the basis for the programme, was "dysfunctional" and "often full of crap".

He said the show was "successful in spite of the top 40 chart, not because of it".