Over the last few years Dreamscape’s You Tube channel has grown into a great place to view retro Toyah television interviews, performances, dedicated specials and more. Click below to view info and screen caps of just some of what is available to view at You Tube.
• Acoustic, Up Close & Personal: Toyah plays Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St. Annes on 20th February. The venue has created a promo video for the acoustic version of ‘Angels & Demons’. Book tickets for the Lowther here…
• Birmingham Mail: The 80s was a golden era for Martin Fry: “It was a golden age of British pop,” he grins. “Pop was much more flamboyant. Now there is Lady Gaga and I can see 80s elements in her fashion, but back then there were 100 Lady Gagas with singers like Toyah and Annie Lennox and it was all normal – Continue reading…
• Saga: A diet revolution or evolution?: By the way – Toyah Willcox. Should anyone be watching Splash! you will have seen her in her swimming suit. And very trim she looks too. I’m not surprised – I interviewed her a few years ago at her home and she is not only into extremely healthy eating, supplements, natural remedies and the like, but also would walk for miles up and down the very, very steep sides of the Malvern Hills near her home at every opportunity – Continue reading…
• Jelly: The band with former Toyah drummer Stevie Bray on vocals have a new album out and it’s now available at iTunes – Troubadour, Wizard, The Queen and the Machine is a brilliant debut – More info here…
• Whitby Goth Weekend Spring 2014: Promo video, including Toyah, at You Tube: A taster of the bands playing at Whitby Goth Weekend in April 2014 – View here…
• Splash!: Someone has uploaded a recording of Toyah’s dive to You Tube, so if anyone missed it or is outside the UK and can’t access the various online players, this is a chance to see it – View here…
As promised, a few more screen caps from Toyah’s appearance on last Saturday’s Splash! on ITV. Click below to view larger versions, and browse all Dreamscape’s news on the programme here.
Toyah’s Gig Diary for 2014 is packed full of concerts, PA’s, festivals and appearances. There are also live US dates for The Humans in April.
The first Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date is at the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton on Wednesday 19th February, while the opening Crimson Queen/Greatest Hits… Live! gig is at the Holmfirth Picturedome on Friday 21st February. The Crimson Queen dates will run throughout 2014 as an extended series of gigs rather than in a single-month tour.
Toyah’s first festival appearance of the year is on Sunday 30th March at The Great British Alternative Music Festival, Minehead. Also playing at that are The Damned, Buzzcocks, Bad Manners, The Blockheads, The Rezillos and many more. View the promo image for that here.
• Further info, ticket links and the full confirmed list of live dates is available at the Official Toyah Gigs page. Find out where the nearest gig to you is taking place here…
• Dark Night Of The Soul With Julie: Toyah and Fripp’s ‘The Discourager of Hesitancy/The Encourager of Precipitation’ from The Lady Or The Tiger was included in Julie’s playlist last night on WFMU – View the full list here…
• The Fripps at Christmas: Great festive photos of Toyah. Robert and Willyfred in the Christmas Day entry at Robert Fripp’s Diary – View here…
• My World Of Music: Toyah – It’s A Mystery: This track formed part of an E.P called Four From Toyah. Released early in 1981 it was Toyah’s breakthrough hit single after several years of building up a large fan base. It wasn’t like anything she had released before – Continue reading…
• Three Sides Of The Coin: Toyah’s new film had its first screening last night. View our recent news on the film here.
• Lytham St Annes Express: Lowther all set for a new look: Lowther Pavilion is set for a new look when the curtain goes up again at the Lytham theatre after its three-week winter break… Toyah Willcox and Ruby Wax are among a wide variety of attractions to follow – Continue reading…
• Metro: 60 Seconds – Paul Young: Paul mentions Toyah in this new article: It’s the same with Toyah Willcox’s hip – she could have damaged that – Continue reading…
Anna Williamson pays tribute to her Splash! pal Toyah in her “Showbiz Peek at the Week” column at Digital Spy.
…However, it was the lovely Toyah Willcox who after pulling off a spectacular inward dive tuck off the 5-meter board, gave me a run for my money for a place in the semi-finals.
By the skin of my teeth I ‘won’ the ‘splash-off’ and I’m incredibly grateful to have been put through to the next round, but I must say it was rather bittersweet as Toyah is not only a wonderfully talented and gracious lady, she was also my fellow girly training partner – I’ll miss her chirpy banter next week when it’s back to the swimming pool.
For a woman in her 50s with a hip replacement to have achieved what she did on Saturday night I think is truly inspiring. Toyah, I salute you!
• Continue reading at Digital Spy. (Photos © Digital Spy)
The biggest music event that Tring has ever seen is returning for a second year with the very best sounds from the 1980s and contemporary pop.
July’s event saw 11,000 people flock to see some of the biggest names in the industry – and judging by the line-up – this year will be no different for Chilfest music festival. And the advice for this year’s three-day concert is to book early in order to avoid disappointment.
…While on Saturday, July 5, Chilfest presents Jason Donovan, Toyah, Imagination, Bad Manners, Go West and Bony M featuring Maizie Williams.
• Continue reading at the Leighton Buzzard Observer.
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts 2: Tuesday 28th January: 1.30pm
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts 2: Wednesday 29th January: 2.30am/6.30am
Blue Marigold. Series 5, Episode 1. Dropped by her agency for her diva-like behaviour, supermodel Marigold’s mental health deteriorates. Years later, she plots a comeback. Director: Giles Foster. Starring: Toyah Willcox, Ralph Bates, Sharon Duce, Helen Fraser, Billy Hamon, Edward Jewesbury.
• The Tempest @ BFI: Tickets now on sale for this event, which includes a live Q&A by Toyah at the BFI Southbank Cinema on Wednesday 12th February 2014 : Derek Jarman’s terrific third feature is brooding and darkly laden with heavily symbolic imagery – More info here…
• Digital Spy: Splash!: Toyah Willcox makes her way to the board – View here…
• The Fashionatress: My first ladies of Punk!: One of alternative fashions true style chameleons, You just didn’t know what Toyah would be wearing next! Bold and brash she did her own thing with her wardrobe. ‘Outlandish’ was the word Toyah Willcox and her style statement making costumes – View here…
• Classic Rock: Blockheads ask fans for chart help: Last year the band ran a successful crowd-funding campaign to cover the cost of making three videos for Same Horse Different Jockey. They used the money to create a series of spoof soap opera episodes called Dun Punkin, featuring old friends Toyah Willcox and Topper Headon – Continue reading…
• Liverpool Sound & Vision: Hue And Cry, Big Country And Toyah Willcox Amongst The Highlights Of New Season Of Music At Eric’s – Continue reading…
• The Garstang Courier: Some Grand Nights Out: Toyah brings her band to the Grand for the first time on Easter Saturday, April 19 – Continue reading…
• Chilfest 2014: Tickets for this Hertfordshire festival are now on sale. Toyah plays a full-band gig on July 5th – More info here… (Thanks to Kev Tucker)
A new Toyah interview and photo/fashion feature published today by the Daily Mail.
How Toyah can make a style Splash! Proof you CAN find a swimsuit to flatter every figure
As a 55-year-old woman with short legs, scars across my stomach from childhood surgery and a bosom so generous it can make me look dumpy, I never dreamed that one day I’d be parading around in a swimming costume on national television.
Yet as a contestant on ITV’s reality diving show Splash!, I’m doing just that – and couldn’t be more terrified. Ever since I agreed to be in the show, I’ve been petrified at the thought of exposing my physique in a swimming costume.
Yes, I try to keep fit and I’m a size ten, but I’m only 5ft 1in, and my body confidence is so low that I never go on beach holidays. The thought of walking down the sands showing off so much skin makes me feel ill with nerves. I haven’t worn a bikini since I was a teen – and even the swimming costume I wear to the local pool has a skirt attached to cover my legs up…
• Continue reading at the Daily Mail.
A few screen caps, of Toyah looking fantastic, from last night’s Splash! Toyah tweeted after the show, saying: “Thank you! Thank you! I had the time of my life and I hope u enjoyed it too. Love toyah“. Click on the caps to view larger versions. More coming soon!
Last night’s second heat edition of Splash! is now available to watch online (UK residents only). The programme is at ITV Player, STV Player and UTV Player for the next 28 days.
It’s also being repeated on ITV (and ITV + 1) today at 2.20pm/3.20pm.
Vernon Kay and Gabby Logan present the diving series under the guidance of Olympic medallist Tom Daley, as celebrities dive live for the viewer vote and to impress the judges.
3.45m (14.4% of the total available viewing audience) watched Saturday night’s Splash!, the second programme of the second series.
A further 275.6k (1.1% of the total available viewing audience) caught the action an hour later on ITV+1.
Splash! was the fifth most watched programme on UK television yesterday and the second most watched on ITV, only being beaten by The Voice, Casualty, Take Me Out and Magician Impossible.
• Source: Digital Spy/Attentional.
Just a few more of the numerous press reports on last night’s Splash! (Photos © ITV)
• Metro: Toyah Willcox Was A Bundle Of Energy: Toyah Willcox was last to take a leap of faith, doing it for the over-50s. ‘Oh God, sorry’ she apologised as she fell from a board during practice, such a polite punk – Continue reading…
• Daily Mail: Splash! Heat Two: Taking to the board more like a warrior princess, Toyah prepared for her backwards dive by getting into the zone and then diving in spectacular, if surprisingly good, fashion. Judge Jo Brand said Toyah’s dive was ‘incredible – can I have some of what you have?’ Co-judge Leon Taylor called Toyah a ‘pocket rocket – amazing, well done’ – Continue reading…
• Mirror: Splash!: Boyzone star Keith Duffy wins splash-off against Toyah Willcox to make it to semi-final: Willcox, 55, who executed an impressive inward dive with tuck from the 5m platform to win 24 points, said she had found a new hobby. “I love diving, it’s become a new passion,” she said – Continue reading…
• So So Gay: As It Happened: Splash! 2014 – Episode 2: Finally, singer, actress and ‘Princess of punk’, Toyah Willcox was introduced to the crowd – Continue reading…
• Entertainment Focus: Splash! heat two winners revealed: Toyah Willcox and Anna Williamson had to battle it out for the second place and after diving again it was Anna who claimed victory – Continue reading…
• Inagist: Presenter to Toyah Willcox: “What do the judges think? It’s a mystery. No it’s not, we’re going to ask them now.” Saturday telly, folks.
This week’s top moments, from a mermaid inspired diving routine to Martin Offia conquering his diving fear
Toyah Willcox being one of the best 55 year old’s we’ve ever seen
For 55 years old, Toyah Wilcox is looking and diving extremely well! The singer wasn’t looking a day over 40 and placed joint second on the leaderboard with Anna Williamson just behind Keith Duffy – Not too shabby! However, it was one of the most nail-biting moments watching Toya dive, as her head missed the diving board by mere centimetres!
• Continue reading at Entertainment Wise.
Toyah Willcox’s 5m inward dive with tuck: Score – (8-8.5-7.5) 24
Jo: “You’re a bundle of energy. I don’t know how you do it, but can I have some of what you’ve got?”. Andy: “You need to go higher, but really good effort.”
Splash! Scorecard – Heat Two:
1. Keith Duffy – 24.5, =2. Anna Williamson – 24, =2. Toyah Willcox – 24, 4. Paul Ross – 21.5, 5. Martin Offiah – 18
HEAT WINNER: Keith Duffy. SPLASH-OFF: Anna Williamson v Toyah Willcox: Leon chose Anna, Jo chose Toyah, Andy chose Anna.
• Continue reading at Digital Spy.
As Paul Ross is (unsurprisingly) sent home, here’s what we learned from week two of the celebrity diving competition
Toyah Has A Close Shave – But Still Scores High: Toyah Willcox, described as the princess of punk as she sashays across the pool to the sound of Pink’s ‘So What’, looks like she’s up for the challenge of the competition… Her performance is really good – but Toyah tucks in so early that her hair actually brushes the board as she falls into the water. Any closer and she could have smacked her head, suffered partial memory loss. Imagine… The judges loved Toyah’s energy and skill, praising her for punching above her weight. She gets an 8, 8.5 and 7.5, equalling an impressive 24.
Toyah And Anna Duke It Out In The Splash-Off: After Paul Ross and Martin are (unsurprisingly) sent home, and Keith Duffy is put through to next week, it falls to the two honourable ladies of the evening, Toyah and Anna, to duke it out for a position in the semi-final… Jo Brand wants Toyah to go through, and reminds us all she’s had a hip operation, but the other judges choose Anna and she is sent through with Keith.
• Continue reading at the Mirror.
The Corn is Green: True Entertainment: Thursday 23rd January: 3.00pm
Academy Award winner Katharine Hepburn stars as a schoolteacher determined to help the people of a turn-of-the-century Welsh mining town. With Ian Saynor, Bill Fraser, Patricia Hayes, Anna Massey, Artro Morris, Dorothea Phillips, Toyah Willcox, Huw Richards, Bryn Fon, Dyfan Roberts and Robin John. Directed by: George Cukor (1979).
Toyah did brilliantly on this evening’s Splash!, scoring 24/30 from the judges and making it into the Splash Off. She was narrowly beaten by Anna Williamson to go into the semi final. The programme will be available to watch online at ITV and STV Player soon and is also repeated tomorrow afternoon on ITV at 2.20pm. Here’s a screen cap of Toyah preparing to take her dive, please check back tomorrow for a full Splash! news round-up. (Thanks to Damon King for the cap)
A splashtastic Toyah image by Andrew York of In The Fairground. Andrew posted this on his Facebook timeline earlier today along with the message: Good Luck to the Crimson Queen – Taking The Leap – Splash! ITV1 Tonight 7pm.
• ITV Splash!: Toyah Willcox (@toyahofficial) is just one of the celebrities taking part in #Splash tomorrow! – View here…
• Twitter: The tweet above by the Official ITV Splash! Twitter is just one of many that have been posted over the last 24 hours. Numerous reports and wellwishers sending Toyah good luck for tonight.
• Mirror: What time is Splash! tonight? See the confirmed contestants, show plans and more: A brand new batch of celebrities are getting ready to show off their flips and glides in the second heat of Tom Daley’s show – Continue reading…
• Unreality TV: Splash 2014: Tonight’s Heat 2 celeb lineup includes Toyah Willcox, Keith Duffy & Paul Ross!: Toyah remarked, “So looking 4ward 2 diving….so looking 4ward 2 the show. @ITVsSPLASH 7pm sat!” – Continue reading…
• BBC Hereford & Worcester: SHOWBIZ: Pershore pop star Toyah Willcox takes the plunge this evening in celebrity diving show Splash.
• Splash!: Round Two countdown – View here…
