Radio: Toyah Presents – Steve… A Strange Life
A reminder – Toyah presents Steve… A Strange Life, airing on BBC Radio Wales this evening at 6.30pm, and also BBC iPlayer.
A reminder – Toyah presents Steve… A Strange Life, airing on BBC Radio Wales this evening at 6.30pm, and also BBC iPlayer.
Two Lovers Meet: An original short story written & read by Toyah Willcox
“I have always loved short stories, they can inhabit any world from suburbia to the fantastic. When time is short and long distances need to be travelled, the short story has taken me to places I willingly want to go to. So whether you have five minutes to spare, or you want to escape for a while…join me and my love of the unpredictable. Welcome to Toyah’s Wonderful World of Weird….”
• Listen at Toyah’s official You Tube and Soundcloud. (Images © Toyah Willcox)
Two brand new Official Toyah T-shirts are available as part of a new 2025 Limited Edition Collection. Throughout the year toyahwillcox.com will launch four sets of t-shirts – plus a special design for Christmas.
Up first to order is Set One, featuring illustrations that celebrate the Minx and Blue Meaning eras. Available only until 30 April 2025.
• Further info, and pre-order the first two-set of t-shirts, here.
Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Wednesday 26th February: 5am
Toyah Willcox. (Series 7, Episode 6). An insight into the making of videos by Toyah Willcox, whose hits included It’s A Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want To Be Free.
Toyah guested on BBC Radio Scotland’s Afternoons show yesterday, presented by Michelle McManus.
Toyah Willcox on NOW That’s What I Call a Musical!
Toyah Willcox joins Michelle to talk about her role in NOW That’s What I Call a Musical! and her career in music, acting and TV presenting spanning 40 years.
• Listen to the show at BBC Sounds for the next four weeks.
A Musical History: BBC Two: Sunday 23rd February: 00.40am
Series 1, Episode 3. Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac are the great survivors of British and American rock music. For more than 50 years they’ve overcome break-ups and breakdowns to become one of the most successful bands of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide, with their 1977 smash Rumours accounting for nearly half of those sales. Here, fan Edith Bowman provides a narrative overview, alongside fellow celebrity admirers who all pay tribute to the band. Contributors include KT Tunstall, Travis’ frontman Fran Healy, Toyah Willcox, Sian Pattenden and Emma Dabiri.
Toyah Willcox song to feature in new Salisbury play
A new play will premiere at Salisbury’s Guildhall, featuring a song recorded by Toyah Willcox.
The singer, songwriter and television presenter has recorded Blue Pearl for the courtroom drama, Blue Pearl vs The Ten Mega-Corps, written by Mike Doherty and Mark Thomas.
The music was created by playwright and musician Mike, who approached Toyah during lockdown. Toyah has donated her vocal recording to be played exclusively during the performance of Blue Pearl vs Ten Mega-Corps during the prosecution evidence.
Mike said: “Of course we are thrilled that Toyah Willcox generously agreed to perform the vocals for us. It brings even more excitement to the play.”
Mike explained the story: “A prosecution barrister, concerned for her young twins, takes on 10 global corporations for poisoning the planet.”
• Continue reading at Salisbury Journal. Also reported by Yahoo! News.
Guy Garvey – From The Vaults: Sky Arts: Thursday 20th February: 4pm
1981. Series 3, episode 4. The Elbow frontman introduces clips from the TV archives from 1981, featuring performances by New Order, Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, Adam and the Ants, Kirsty MacColl, Kim Wilde and Toyah. Also featured are Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Madness, the Belle Stars, Dave Edmunds with the Stray Cats, and Secret Affair, and there are interviews with the Human League’s Philip Oakey, and Simon Le Bon and John Taylor from Duran Duran.
Last weekend’s Saturday Song from Toyah – channelling her inner James Bond – was a really rare (well, I’d never saw it anyway!) 1981 performance of, the Anthem track, Jungles Of Jupiter on Italian music show, Popcorn. Watch by clicking on the screenshot.
This month’s Toyah At Home featured the video for, one of the standout singles of Toyah’s career – the uplifting – Levitate, the debut release from the 2021 studio album Posh Pop.
A perfect time to revisit Toyah’s most recent album by ploughing through Dreamscape’s vast Posh Pop archive.
Toyah loves the album, as do numerous other fans, including myself. Posh Pop still sounds amazing! Indeed, like a fine wine – I know nothing about wine as I don’t drink alcohol – it has matured beautifully, and is a firm favourite with many discerning music fans!
Upon its release, almost four years ago, the album received great reviews from a number of magazines, there were some great articles published focusing on the album, Toyah filmed videos for every song, and toured the album in late 2021/early 2022.
One of the most incredible aspects of Posh Pop is how completely autonomous the album was for Toyah. She wrote and recorded each song almost entirely on her own – with only collaboration and input from Simon Darlow and Bobby Willcox. Toyah also filmed each video and captured all of the associated promo shots/photos with little outside assistance. Amazing!
The 2021 studio album charted at #22 on the Official UK Album Chart. Posh Pop became Toyah’s highest charting studio album since 1982, when The Changeling peaked at #6. Warrior Rock: Toyah On Tour, a live double album – which was lovingly reissued last year – peaked at #20 that same year.
The only other Toyah albums to peak higher than Posh Pop were Anthem (1981) #2, The Changeling (1982) #6 and the aforementioned Warrior Rock: Toyah On Tour (1982) #20. Posh Pop equalled with, another live album, Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! (1980) which hit #22 in early 1981.
Further great stats in 2021 for Posh Pop were that it gave Toyah her highest ever chart position as a solo artist, and the album also hit #1 on the official Independent chart, #6 on the official Physical chart, #6 on the official Sales chart, #9 on the official Vinyl chart, #20 on the official Downloads chart, #22 on the official Record Store chart, and #8 on the official Scottish chart. Add to this that a couple of the songs from the album have topped The Heritage Chart in the last two years too! Phew! Amazing chart stats!
• Browse our comprehensive Posh Pop news archive by clicking on any of the photos in this post. (All photos/images © Toyah Willcox)
Toyah’s blog for February is now online to read at toyahwillcox.com.
Toyah Willcox presents a heartfelt tribute to the flamboyant and iconic Steve Strange, born Steven John Harrington in Newbridge, Wales.
From his early days in the vibrant Northern Soul scene to becoming the frontman of Visage, Steve Strange’s life was a tapestry of artistic brilliance and bold individuality.
Here we delve into his meteoric rise as the lead singer of Visage, best known for their massive hit “Fade to Grey.”
His unique voice and eclectic style helped define the New Romantic movement, and he became a symbol of the era with his extravagant and exciting outfits.
Toyah hears from fashion designer Darla Jane Gilroy, who sheds light on his influence on fashion. Fellow Visage members Billy Currie and Dave Formula share their experiences working with Steve and creating iconic music. Chris Sullivan, Steve’s friend and fellow club host, recounts their adventures in the influential Blitz Club that became a haven for the New Romantics.
Spandau Ballet’s Steve Norman and former Radio 1 DJ Andy Peebles offer their reflections on Steve’s impact on the music scene and their personal memories of him. Rare interviews from the archives of Steve himself bring his story to life, capturing his vibrant personality and enduring legacy.
Toyah, who also gives her own reflections on the Steve Strange she knew, also remembers Boy George’s poignant eulogy at Steve’s funeral, celebrating his unique spirit and the lasting impression he left on all who knew him.
In Steve, A Strange Life, we honour the legacy of a true original, ten years after his untimely passing.
• Continue reading at BBC Radio Wales.
Steve… A Strange Life: BBC Radio Wales: Friday 14th February: 6.30pm
Steve… A Strange Life: BBC Radio Wales: Sunday 16th February: 6am
Steve… A Strange Life: BBC Radio Wales: Monday 17th February: 6.30am
New 2025. Toyah Willcox explores the life of pop and fashion icon Steve Strange, a star who competed with David Bowie in the 1980s as the New Romantic scene took off.
Welcome to another edition of Toyah At Home, with catch-up on what Toyah has been up and where she has been. There’s also music from Posh Pop and a vintage performance too, to coincide with the imminent release of two new picture discs for Sheep Farming In Barnet and The Blue Meaning.
• Watch yesterday’s Toyah At Home. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
From Oliver and the Artful Dodger to Mary Poppins, Roxie Hart, drag queen Lola and not forgetting punk princess Toyah Willcox, there’s a host of musical stars just waiting to entertain you in February.
It’s the Playhouse, however, that has the show I’m looking forward to most this month, Now That’s What I Call A Musical (25 February-1 March). I’m keen to see it not because I’m expecting the most earth-shattering jukebox musical ever, it’ll likely be a the usual feel-good evening of nostalgia, but because the Edinburgh shows are the only ones on the tour to feature my own teenage heroine, punk princess Toyah Willcox, as a special guest.
Celebrating 40 years of the iconic compilation albums and starring EastEnders’ star, Nina Wadia, and 2013 X Factor winner, Sam Bailey, the musical comedy tells the story of Gemma and April, two school friends busy with very important business… planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley.
• Continue reading at The Edinburgh Reporter. Further details on Toyah in the Edinburgh performances of Now That’s What I call A Musical at toyahwillcox.com.
Toyah plays Solfest 2025 in August. She will headline the Saturday night Solway Bar stage!
• Browse more details and buy tickets at the Solfest 2025 website.
Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted: Really: Friday 14th February: 0.00am
Toyah Willcox. Series 1, episode 5. The team undergoes one of the most terrifying investigations yet when visiting Toyah Willcox, who has experienced strange activity in her home ever since she moved in. (Photo © Discovery)
Filmed on the Isle of Wight: Weightless garners success at Soho London Independent Film Festival
A short film shot on the Isle of Wight, Weightless, has added another prestigious accolade to its growing collection.
The film, starring the renowned Toyah Willcox, won the award for Best Experimental Drama at the Soho London Independent Film Festival over the weekend.
Exploring a powerful story: Directed by Lois Norman, Weightless tells the poignant story of Maureen, a woman confronting her inner demons alone on a beach. As she steps into the water, the film explores themes of resilience and personal transformation.
The screenplay was penned by Louise Monaghan, with production led by Isle of Wight-based producer Rowena Amos, founder of 9 of Cups Productions. Among other places, it was filmed in Freshwater Bay and Ventnor Bay.
Celebrating the team’s achievement: The film’s success was shared by writer Louise Monaghan, who expressed her delight at the recognition.
• Continue reading at On The Wight.
Toyah and Robert at last night’s Radio Times Covers Party 2025, held at Claridges, London. Toyah also bumped into, Scottish actor, Laura McKenzie who starred alongside Toyah, and Richard Madden, in two series of Barmy Aunt Boomerang in the late 90s and early 2000s. (Photos © Toyah Willcox)