It was a vintage year for ABBA who enjoyed three number one singles - Mama Mia, Fernando and Dancing Queen.

But the biggest-selling single of the year in the UK was Save Your Kisses for Me, by Brotherhood of Man. The Christmas number one was When a Child is Born by Johnny Mathis.

  • The big films of the year were The Omen, All the President's Men, Taxi Driver and Rocky, the latter scooping the best picture Oscar for 1976.
  • On television, Pat Phoenix returned to the role of Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street after an absence of three years. And in December, the Sex Pistols caused outrage by swearing at teatime on the regional Thames Television news show Today, hosted by Bill Grundy.
  • Notable deaths in 1976 included Mao Zedong, Communist leader of the People's Republic of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death; Carry On actor Sid James; Poirot and Miss Marple creator Agatha Christie; and New York Mafia boss, Carlo Gambino.
  • Notable births in 1976 included model Abi Titmuss; Keane composer/pianist Tim Rice-Oxley; and Chelsea football star, Andriy Shevchenko.
  • 1976 Star Fact: The chimes of Big Ben stopped on August 5 and were not heard again until May 9, 1977. This was due to metal fatigue.