Mini Pops

1 9 8 3 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

One of the strangest phenomena of the 1980s – and there were many odd ones – were the Mini Pops.

Seven British children aged between six and nine, they imitated chart acts such as Culture Club and Kajagoogoo by dressing in the same clothes and plastering themselves in make-up.

Between 1982 and 1989 the group (the brainchild of Martin Wyatt) released seven albums, with titles like Mini Pops Magic and Mini Pops Wanna Have Fun.

The Channel 4 show made for creepy and disturbing television, though.

Watching a fully made-up ten-year-old prancing about in stilettos lip-synching a song about making love and other adult themes while showing a bit of leg or flashing her knickers was just wrong on so many levels . . .

The child cast and the show’s creators were somewhat shocked at the public response and their misinterpretation, despite the ratings success.

When Cecil Korer was replaced by Mike Bolland as head of entertainment for Channel 4, he cancelled plans for a second series.

Today such flirtatious displays of underage sexuality would incite a Daily Mail campaign.