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The U-turn comes after the BBC said that it had no plans to screen a Christmas special of the series it axed in 2006.

That admission sparked an offer from music mogul Simon Cowell to buy the Top of the Pops brand from the BBC, which it rejected. Andy Burnham, the culture secretary, also got involved, saying the show was a good vehicle for new music.

The Christmas special, hosted by Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates and filmed in BBC Television Centre, will feature performances from some of the year's major new acts and will count down the chart to the Christmas number one.

The hour-long New Year's Eve special will review the year in pop and marks the first time BBC One has shown a New Year's Eve edition of 'Top Of The Pops'.

Cotton and Yates will take in the year's smash hits, highlights from music festivals such as BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend and Glastonbury, as well as performances from BBC sessions.

The BBC said that both shows are part of its extended musical line-up this Christmas, which includes 'TOTP2' and Jools Holland's annual 'Hootenanny' on BBC Two, alongside 'The Big Finish' on BBC One.

Jay Hunt, controller at BBC One, said: "With shows on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, 'Top Of The Pops' has never been bigger.

"The shows will form the centrepiece of a massive musical offering during the festive season that we hope viewers are really going to enjoy."

Cotton said: "I am beyond excited at the thought of a return to the mighty TOTP studios for these one-off shows.

"Reggie and I feel truly honoured to be able to introduce this year's number one - both shows are going to be huge!"

Cult Channel 4 show 'The Word' may also be making a comeback as former presenter and current 'I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!' contestant Dani Behr is hoping to revive the show.

Behr, who fronted the controversial show with Terry Christian before it was taken off the air in 1995, is moving back to England in a bid to bring back the show, according to a report in The Sun.

'The Word' was famous for its outrageous stunts and music performances, which once saw a member of female rock group L7 dropping her knickers during a song.