Go-Jos usurped by Pan's People on Top of the Pops

Stories from the Radio 2 documentary, Super Troupers, 19 December 2011:


The first dance troupe on Top of the Pops were the Go-Jos created by Jo Cook. There had been appearing regulaely on the show for over 3 years when in May 1968 Pan's People were given a chance. The first that the Go-Jos knew of it was seeing them on the show. The producer, who had taken out for a drink by members of Pan's People, told the Go-Jos that he just felt like trying a new troupe. The new troupe stayed for nearly 8 years.


Pan's People were always signed to the show as individuals. So there were always paid standard union fees for their performances and never made much money from the show. 


Ruby Flipper so upset the bosses that it was agreed soon after they started that they would only have 6 months on the show while a new all-female troupe was recruited to replace them. Apparently they had a particular problem with a coloured man dancing with white girls. After 6 months they were indeed replaced by the all-female Legs & Co. It was not until Hot Gossip that the racial issue was overcome.