Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Tuesday 3rd January: 4pm
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Saturday 7th January: 10am
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.
Toyah is currently painting a giant hare, as part of the Cirencester March Hare Festival 2017.
The Hare Festival runs from March 25th to September 10th 2017. You too can get involved in next year’s event, by becoming a sponsor, buying merchandise, decorating your own hare, and/or supporting via a donation.
• View Toyah’s tweet about this, and click here for further information on the festival.
Only 4 days until Christmas, why not download some, Christmas related, Toyah music…
1. I Believe In Father Christmas; Toyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the Mayhem compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD Live & More. Four years ago, at Christmas 2012, it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 2.Winter In Wonderland; One year on and at Christmas 2013 there was another new digital single, make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes. 3. Has God Ceased To Dream You; Toyah released this four-song EP in December 2014 as a companion piece to the recently digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.
BBC Four’s online schedule now includes details on Pop Quiz: The Comeback, along with a new photo of the cast of Episode 1. See the cast of Episode 2 here.
Episode 1 of 2: It was the Saturday night smash hit music quiz show that ran for four years between 1981 and 1984. Over 30 years later it’s back, with the original presenter Mike Read hosting the first of two special celebration shows where the biggest pop stars from the 1980s go head to head in a test of their 80s music knowledge. Guests include Toyah Willcox, Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins), Andy McCluskey (OMD), Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet), Mari Wilson and Leee John (Imagination).
Christmas Eve 2012, Toyah guested on Marlow FM’s “Musical Milestones” on The Eclectic Light Show. She discussed her life and career and chose six songs along the way. As this aired on Christmas Eve and the station didn’t have a Listen Again function I recorded it and uploaded to Dreamscape a low quality mp3 of the 30-minute special. Click below to listen/download.
Due to overwhelming public demand after this year’s hugely successful run, the ‘80’s Invasion’ tour is back in 2017 with four iconic artists from the decade performing on the same bill.
The new line-up features Paul Young – one of the most popular solo artists from the era, legendary pop punk princess Toyah, Liverpool’s finest guitar duo China Crisis and for the first time performing in the UK in over 25 years, flying in especially from the USA the gorgeous Martika! The tour takes in 15 dates and starts on 2nd March at Rhyl’s Pavilion, culminating on 19th March at Liverpool’s Philharmonic, with London’s Indigo2 on 16th March.
• Continue reading at The Beat Manifesto. Visit Toyah’s Gig page at toyahwillcox.com. Browse all of Dreamscape’s 80s Invasion Tour 2017 news.
The Chase: Celebrity Special: UTV Ireland: Boxing Day: 7pm
Bradley Walsh hosts the quiz show as four celebrities take on the Chaser. Singer Toyah Willcox, ex-footballer John Barnes, writer Germaine Greer and heavyweight boxer Audley Harrison pit their wits against one of the country’s finest quiz brains in the hope of winning thousands of pounds for their chosen charities. (Photo © ITV)
Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Really: New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay: 5pm
Celebrities hunt for a new home. Gaby Roslin helps punk-pop princess Toyah Willcox search for a second home, in Richmond upon Thames, with a budget of £650,000.
Toyah plays the Upton House Music Festival 2017 on 9th June, alongside Billy Ocean and Kim Wilde. Visit the festival website by clicking below.
Toyah Willcox: From punk princess to cult stage actress and high priestess of TV, Toyah is a uniquely gifted performer and an inextinguishable flame. In a career spanning over 35 years she has amassed 13 top 40 singles, recorded 29 albums and toured live across the world. Expect to hear hit singles,”Thunder In The Mountains”, “It’s A Mystery”, “I Want To Be Free”, ”Echo Beach”, and many more!
Great photos by Damon King from Toyah Willcox and the Great British Panto, the festive event held at the V&A, London last Tuesday evening. Click below to view more photos from the discussion between Toyah and Simon Sladen. (Photos © Damon King)
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: 5Star: Christmas Eve: 1.40am
A merry romp through the most inappropriate, outrageous and appallingly atrocious Christmas television turkeys of all time. These are the kind of disastrous, ill-conceived and downright cringe-inducing moments that it’s a wonder ever made it to air. Among contributors ready to dissect the disasters – many of which they were involved in themselves – are Eamon Holmes, Toyah Willcox, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Anne Diamond, Steve Punt and Mike Read.
Some years there’s so much good festive telly on offer, it makes your head spin like a Christmas tree bauble crashing to the floor. In 2016, not so much – Still, there are a few gems across the schedules. Here are a few…
Pop Quiz: The Comeback (28 December, BBC4, 9:30pm)
DJ Mike Read (‘Mike Read, 275 and 285, Mike Read, Mike Read, National Radio 1’) revives the Eighties teen show in which pop stars answered questions on pop. How will the likes of Toyah, a Thompson Twin and one of ‘the Spands’ fare in this two-part treat?
• Continue reading at The Scotsman.
Official Charts guide to the best music shows on TV this Christmas
We all love lounging on the sofa with eggnog in one hand and a Chocolate Orange in the other, glued to some of the year’s best TV. But what to choose when you win the battle for the remote and the channel-flicking power is all yours?
If you’re done with present opening, turkey stuffing and The Great Christmas Bake Off (we’ll miss you Mel, Sue and Mary!) – we round up the very best music telly on offer this Christmas.
Wednesday 28 December
Pop Quiz: The Comeback – 9:30pm, BBC4
Mike Read hosts the revival of the 80s music quiz with guests including Toyah Willcox, who is best known for fronting 80s band Toyah. And narrating The Teletubbies, of course.
• Continue reading at Official Charts.
As mentioned, Toyah guested on BBC Hereford & Worcester yesterday, chatting to Tammy Gooding on her radio show.
Toyah appears at approximately 1hr 16m into the programme for the first part of the chat, discussing her age, “bucket list” – which includes visiting various countries, making pottery, and cutting a diamond – and her future…
The second part of the interview begins around 1hr 35m in – With Toyah paying tribute to Greg Lake, and talking about the Walk of Stars event, her punk days, new films, the 80s Invasion Tour and more.
• Listen to the show/interview at BBC iPlayer.
Toyah is making a festive guest appearance on Tammy Gooding’s radio show on BBC Hereford & Worcester today. The programme airs from 1pm to 4pm.
Singer Toyah Willcox: The singer and actress chats with Tammy about bucket lists and Christmas in Pershore. Plus Andrew Nash reviews the new Star Wars movie on Film Friday. Plus great music – including the ‘Top Ten From When?’
• Listen live at the BBC Hereford and Worcester website, and post-airing at BBC iPlayer.
Exciting! Mari Wilson, Leee John, Tom Bailey, Steve Norman, Andy McCluskey and Toyah from yesterday’s recording of Pop Quiz, with original BBC host Mike Read. See Toyah’s tweet/photo. The programme airs on December 28th. (Photo © Mari Wilson)
Did they REALLY do panto? Oh yes, they did! How The Beatles, Ant and Dec, Joanna Lumley and a host of other stars couldn’t resist the lure of the stage.
Oh, no it isn’t! Oh, yes it is! Even the biggest showbusiness stars have not been able to resist the lure of pantomime over the years — and that includes The Beatles at the height of their fame in 1963. From Ant and Dec to Sir Elton John, from Frank Bruno to Sir Cliff Richard, everyone loves dressing up in colourful daft costumes and telling corny jokes at Christmas…
Flying Tonight: How did Toyah Willcox end up as Peter Pan in 1993? It’s a mystery.
• Continue reading at the Daily Mail.
Broadcast details for Pop Quiz: The Comeback have now been confirmed, with the first show airing on BBC4 on Wednesday 28th December, and the second on Wednesday 4th January.
Both editions of the revived classic pop programme are being recorded tomorrow at Media City, Salford, with tickets to attend being allocated earlier this month.
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Wednesday 28th December: 9.30pm
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay: 1.05am
1/2. The music quiz that proved to be a Saturday night hit in the early 1980s is back, hosted by the original presenter Mike Read. He’s joined by a host of pop stars from the era, including Toyah Willcox, OMD’s Andy McCluskey, Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins and Spandau Ballet’s Steve Norman, who’ll be going head to head as they put their musical knowledge to the test.
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Wednesday 4th January: 9.30pm
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Saturday 7th January: 1.05am
2/2. Guests include Nick Heyward (Haircut 100), Carol Decker (T’Pau), David Grant (Linx), Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston (Bucks Fizz) and Ranking Roger (The Beat).
Lots of Toyah TV appearances again this Christmas, with repeats from past Christmasses and new programmes too.
There’s already been an airing of Toyah and Roy Wood’s A Very Vintage Christmas, with more Toyah to come on the music channel over the next few weeks. There are other shows on the festive schedules, including the revived Pop Quiz on BBC4.
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments
My5: Thu 15th Dec: 10pm/Sat 17th Dec: 2am
A merry romp through the most inappropriate, outrageous and appallingly atrocious Christmas television turkeys of all time. These are the kind of disastrous, ill-conceived and downright cringe-inducing moments that it’s a wonder ever made it to air. Among contributors ready to dissect the disasters – many of which they were involved in themselves – are Eamon Holmes, Toyah Willcox, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Anne Diamond, Steve Punt and Mike Read. (My5 is the Channel 5 app available at iTunes etc.)
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Thursday 15th December: 11.30pm
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Boxing Day: 10am
Cosy up with family and friends as Toyah Willcox brings you 30 of the finest Christmas songs and a sprinkling of festive stories, surrounded by an extraordinary variety of creatures great and small.
A Very Vintage Christmas (Pt2): Vintage TV: Sunday 18th December: 8pm
A Very Vintage Christmas (Pt2): Vintage TV: Thursday 22nd December: 11.30pm
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs.
Celebrity Ghost Stories UK: CI: Wednesday 21st December: 2am
Sue Cook reveals creepy encounters with a malevolent nutcracker and a UFO, Toyah Willcox speaks of a spooky apparation, and Alex Fearns discusses sinister sounds he caught on tape.
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Friday 23rd December: 10am
Snuggle down by the fire with the family as punk princess, Toyah Willcox, introduces some of the finest Christmas videos of the 20th Century, sprinkled with a generous handful of fun festive facts.
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: 5Star: Christmas Eve: 1.40am
A merry romp through the most inappropriate, outrageous and appallingly atrocious Christmas television turkeys of all time. These are the kind of disastrous, ill-conceived and downright cringe-inducing moments that it’s a wonder ever made it to air. Among contributors ready to dissect the disasters – many of which they were involved in themselves – are Eamon Holmes, Toyah Willcox, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Anne Diamond, Steve Punt and Mike Read.
100 Greatest Toys with Jonathan Ross: More 4: Christmas Day: 3.45pm
A countdown of the nation’s favourite games, gadgets and playthings, as decided by a Channel 4 online poll. Inventors and toymakers tell the inside stories of their creations and successes. (Toyah appears briefly, via 1981 “Rubik Cube” footage)
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Wednesday 28th December: 9.30pm
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay: 1.05am
Guests include Toyah Willcox, Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins), Andy McCluskey (OMD), Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet), Mari Wilson and Leee John (Imagination).
Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Really: New Year’s Eve: 5pm
Celebrities hunt for a new home. Gaby Roslin helps punk-pop princess Toyah Willcox search for a second home, in Richmond upon Thames, with a budget of £650,000.
Who Had Four #1’s In The 1981 Indie Singles Chart?
Treat yourself to a chocolate biscuit if you got that one correct. If you don’t have such a thing close to hand then go buy one from a nearby shop and I’ll reimburse you as long as you send me the receipt.
Toyah, contrary to popular belief, was not just a solo project for Ms Willcox. Back in 1977, three friends had spent a brief period playing under the name Ninth Illusion, without recording any music. In the beginning of 1978 they added some more musicians and settled on a new, taking it from their female vocalist who was also just beginning to forge a name for herself as an actress.
By mid-1979 the band had signed to the London-based Safari Records and over the next 18 months here would be a handful of singles and LPs that didn’t really do all that much. By late 1980, there had been further line-up changes with only Joel Bogen remaining from the earlier line-ups and the decision was taken to focus on a more pop-orientated sound.
• Continue reading at The (New) Vinyl Villain.
“There is a mindset when it comes to competitive combat and I think I might have that.”
Toyah Willcox will always be associated with early 80s pop, punk and new romanticism – and that’s no bad thing. With her flaming sunset hair, rebellious lyrics and tribal synths, she is unforgettable. But what isn’t always remembered is that this versatile all-rounder has acted opposite greats like Sir Laurence Olivier and Katharine Hepburn, worked for directors like George Cukor and Derek Jarman, and had success in children’s TV as Barmy Aunt Boomerang and as a narrator of Teletubbies.
Nevertheless, the call of the 80s is hard to resist and so, next Spring, Toyah will join Paul Young, Martika and China Crisis for the 80s Invasion tour. It’s a tempting proposition. But I wonder if Toyah’s boundless energy is still in good supply.
“That enthusiasm is just a natural part of who I am,” she says. “I don’t believe in working on anything half-heartedly. If people are good enough to work with you, you have to give them 150 per cent in return. You can’t become an actress and have limitations or boundaries, that just feels contradictory to me. Diversity is a very rewarding thing because you see different aspects of human life and come into contact with things that you would never have otherwise discovered. As a writer, that’s vital for me because we all tend to live in a bit of a bubble. With Teletubbies I was doing a favour for a friend who never thought it would ever see the light of day. Of course she couldn’t have been more wrong as it became one of the BBC‘s most successful programmes.”
• Continue reading at Northern Soul.
