Cover models
No celebration of the Top of the Pops would be complete without a word for our cover stars. Sadly, many are unknown, but we have been fortunate to identify some of them, who are generally known for their modelling and/or media work. All the models we are able to name are detailed below:
Beverley Pilkington Beverley was a well-known model, not only for her occasional page 3 work, but also as the face (and body) of Big D nuts - the cardboard dispensers on which female models were printed. Beverley was prolific with Top of the Pops, appearing on volumes 48, 53, 55 and 61, as well as the poster-calendars in Best of 1975 and Best of 1976. |
Caroline Munroe Caroline Munro famously appeared in archery gear on the cover of Hot Hits volume 11, However her most noted assignment was not modelling - she found fame as an actress, particularly as Bond Girl Naomi in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Her sole Top of the Pops cover was Euro 2 at the end of 1971. |
Caroline Munroe autograph:
Jilly Johnson Jilly Johnson was famous for being the first model to feature topless in the British press, before forging a career which included an appearance on the cover of Hot Hits 19 as well as several gentleman’s specialist reading publications. She appears on several Top of the Pops: volumes 57 and 83, Best of 1976 and 1977 and the posters in 1977 and 1980. |
Kathy Simmonds Kathy Simmonds was a noted model and actress who appeared as Samson in Robert Freeman's 1968 movie, The Touchables. A one-time girlfriend of George Harrison and Rod Stewart, she is pictured in the artwork of Harry Nilsson's 1973 album, A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night, and also graces the cover of Top of the Pops volumes 24 and 26. |
Katya Wyeth Katya was a German model and actress, famed for her nude scenes. Her acting CV includes several appearances on British television shows such as The Avengers and Monty Python's Flying Circus, as well as a scene in Clockwork Orange (1971). You can see her on the covers of volumes 23 and 45. |
Linda Lussardi Linda shot to fame as a page 3 girl in the 1980s, and was the chief rival in the glamour world to Samantha Fox. At one time a household name for her modelling, she has latterly become known for her television acting career. Linda appears on volume 92, the last Top of the Pops record ever released. |
Nicola Austin Famous for a nude scene in Frankie Howerd’s Up Pompei, Nicola Austin had furthered her modelling career by appearing entirely topless on a rival album at the end of 1971, Pye’s 77p Chart Busters allowing her to reveal all. For Top of the Pops she made four appearances, volume 22 and then Euro 3, and in 1977, consecutive volumes 59 and 60. |
Nina Carter Page 3 regular Nina Carter (real name Penny Mallett) turned up for just one Top of the Pops cover, on volume 44. She was an experienced model who within a couple of years would embark on a recording career herself with Top of the Pops star Jilly Johnson (see above), forming Blonde on Blonde. She was married to rock star Rick Wakeman. |
Susy Shaw One of the Stalwarts of Top of the Pops modelling, page 3 girl Susy has the distinction of starring in the bondage cover of 1971, and can also be seen on numerous others. Along with Beverley Pilkington, her likeness defines the covers in the 1970s. She can be seen on volumes 28, 37, 49 and 69, as well as Best of 1971 and 1972, and the poster-calendar inside the latter. |
Chronological list
All the cover models we have identified, in order of appearance:
Euro 2 - Caroline Munroe
Best of 1971 - Susy Shaw
Vol 22 - Nicola Austin
Vol 23 - Katya Wyeth
Euro 3 - Nicola Austin
Vol 27- Penny Irving
Vol 28 - Susy Shaw
Best of 1972 - Susy Shaw
1972 poster - Susy Shaw
Vol 37 - Susy Shaw
Vol 43 - Stephanie Marrian
Vol 44 - Nina Carter
Vol 45 - Katya Wyeth
Vol 48 - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 49 - Susy Shaw
1975 poster - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 53 - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 55 - Beverley Pilkington
Best of 1976 - Jilly Johnson
1976 poster - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 57 - Jilly Johnson
Vol 59 - Nicola Austin
Vol 60 - Nicola Austin
Vol 61 - Beverley Pilkington
Best of 1977 - Jilly Johnson
1977 poster - Jilly Johnson
Vol 69 - Susy Shaw
Vol 70 - Alison Begg
Vol 72 - Alison Begg
Vol 77 - Alison Begg
Best of 1979 - Carolyn Evans
1979 poster - Carolyn Evans
Vol 79 - Debbie Smith
Vol 83 - Jilly Johnson
Best of 1980 - Debbie Smith
1980 poster - Jilly Johnson
Vol 88 - Debbie Smith
Best of 1984 - Samantha Fox
Vol 92 - Linda Lusardi
Euro 2 - Caroline Munroe
Best of 1971 - Susy Shaw
Vol 22 - Nicola Austin
Vol 23 - Katya Wyeth
Euro 3 - Nicola Austin
Vol 27- Penny Irving
Vol 28 - Susy Shaw
Best of 1972 - Susy Shaw
1972 poster - Susy Shaw
Vol 37 - Susy Shaw
Vol 43 - Stephanie Marrian
Vol 44 - Nina Carter
Vol 45 - Katya Wyeth
Vol 48 - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 49 - Susy Shaw
1975 poster - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 53 - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 55 - Beverley Pilkington
Best of 1976 - Jilly Johnson
1976 poster - Beverley Pilkington
Vol 57 - Jilly Johnson
Vol 59 - Nicola Austin
Vol 60 - Nicola Austin
Vol 61 - Beverley Pilkington
Best of 1977 - Jilly Johnson
1977 poster - Jilly Johnson
Vol 69 - Susy Shaw
Vol 70 - Alison Begg
Vol 72 - Alison Begg
Vol 77 - Alison Begg
Best of 1979 - Carolyn Evans
1979 poster - Carolyn Evans
Vol 79 - Debbie Smith
Vol 83 - Jilly Johnson
Best of 1980 - Debbie Smith
1980 poster - Jilly Johnson
Vol 88 - Debbie Smith
Best of 1984 - Samantha Fox
Vol 92 - Linda Lusardi