BBC bosses 'are forced to pull a string of classic Top Of The Pops episodes from screens as they feature disgraced rappers R Kelly and Diddy'

BBC bosses have reportedly been forced to pull a string of classic episodes of Top Of The Pops from their weekly reruns, as they feature stars embroiled in sex scandals.

For months fans have tuned into BBC Four for vintage episodes of the beloved music show, but the schedule was thrown into chaos when the repeats reached 1997.

It was a year dominated by the success of R&B stars Diddy and R Kelly, who have both had dramatic falls from grace in recent years.

Four episodes, which aired in March and April 1997, were pulled by BBC bosses after they featured Kelly's performance of I Believe I Can Fly.

The musician is currently serving a 31-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering charges, and was later convicted for further charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice.

According to The Sun, BBC bosses will also skip a run of episodes from the summer of that same year when Sean 'Diddy' Combs topped the charts for six weeks with I'll Be Missing You.

Diddy is currently behind bars awaiting trial at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center following his arrest last year on sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution charges. He denies all the allegations and has been denied bail multiple times.

A source told the publication: 'At this rate the only No1 from 1997 that will get shown is Teletubbies.'

The episodes are just the latest to be pulled from screens, with others featuring disgraced names such as Rolf Harris, Jimmy Savile and Gary Glitter also removed from the show's reruns in recent years. 

Top Of The Pops was a weekly fixture on TV screens for 42 years, with millions tuning in to see performances from global stars as well as finding out who had topped the music charts.

Following a decline in ratings, the show was axed in 2006 in favour of annual Christmas Special.

However in 2022, this was also dropped by bosses, with sources saying at the time it was a cost-cutting measure.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for the BBC for comment.

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges after his September arrest. He has remained incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting a May 5 trial, after he was refused bail on multiple occasions.

Prosecutors in Combs' federal case say the music mogul used blackmail and violence in his efforts to silence victims.

Among the claims made against the entertainer is that he persuaded women to participate against their will in group sexual exhibitions referred to as 'Freak Offs.' 

The Can't Nobody Hold Me Down performer remains in federal custody nearly five months after his September 16 arrest in Manhattan in connection with sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

Combs, who is also charged with transportation to engage in prostitution, has made a trio of attempts in vain to be granted bail, amid concerns from the court he would attempt to flee or tamper with his case.

Prior to his arrest he was in the headlines for much of 2024 year after raids on multiple properties in March; and video of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie surfacing on CNN in May.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reacted at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.