Archive

Archive for 2022

Imagine Cruising: Toyah’s Artist Page

February 21st, 2022

Toyah’s bio/artist page at Imagine Cruising

Categories: Internet, Live 2022 Tags:

Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch: Press

February 20th, 2022

More great press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week covering Bullet With Butterfly Wings by Smashing Pumpkins. (Images © Toyah Willcox)

Consequence: Robert Fripp and Toyah Tackle Smashing Pumpkins’ “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”: The married couple put a frisky spin on the alt-rock classic – King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and his singer wife Toyah Willcox are still giving fans plenty of ear (and eye) candy on Sundays, this time gracing us with a rendition of the Smashing Pumpkins classic “Bullet With Butterfly Wings. It’s been a while since we’ve reported on the frisky couple’s “Sunday Lunch” series, but they’ve been going strong in 2022, mostly delivering covers of punk classics from The Clash, Ramones, and others over the past several weeks. For this weekend’s edition, the pair tackle the Pumpkins’ smash alt-rock hit with their usual musical and visual flair – Continue reading…

NME: Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox share cover of Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’: The pair’s Sunday Lunch series has been taken “to a whole new level” this week – King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife, singer Toyah Willcox, have shared a cover of ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’ by the Smashing Pumpkins – The cover is a part of the pair’s ‘Sunday Lunch’ video series which was launched in 2020. The series has so far seen the couple share renditions of songs by Ramones, Nirvana, David Bowie, Metallica, Billy Idol, The Rolling Stones, Judas Priest, The Prodigy, Guns N’ Roses, Alice Cooper and many more through Willcox’s YouTube channel – Continue reading…

Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah and Robert Fripp cover Smashing Pumpkins’ “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”: After a run of punk classics, Toyah and Robert Fripp are switching gears on their weekly Sunday Lunch covers series. Today they take on Smashing Pumpkins’ 1995 hit “Bullet With Butterfly Wings.” Toyah plays the butterfly while Robert is, like the world, a vampire — at least on the drawing taped to their kitchen cupboard. Have they entered a ’90s alt-rock phase? We shall see. Robert’s band King Crimson are the subject of a new documentary that will premiere at SXSW – Continue reading…

Metal Sucks: King Crimson’s Robert Fripp & Toyah Willcox Cover Smashing Pumpkins’ “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”: King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and his wife, the actress and singer Toyah Willcox, are back with the latest entry in their ongoing “Sunday Lunch” series of cover videos. This Sunday, Fripp and Toyah have covered Smashing Pumpkins‘ ’90s alt-rock hit “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.” It’s exactly what you’d expect, mainly a bizarre take on a classic song with Toyah threatening to let ’em out of their cage at a moment’s notice – Continue reading…

DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend: Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Bullet With Butterfly Wings… Toyah & Robert’s – Objects Of Desire (February 19th, 2022)… Toyah At Home – Levitate (February 19th, 2022) – Continue reading…

Sunday Lunch: This weekend, really has taken the lunch series to a whole new level! Bullet With Butterfly Wings as you’ve never seen or heard it before – Watch here…

Toyah & Robert: At Home/Objects Of Desire/Sunday Lunch

February 20th, 2022

Toyah At Home – Levitate: This week Toyah dives into the story of Levitate, we take a look at the video for the song and an exclusive performance from last year’s tour – Watch here…

Toyah & Robert – Objects Of Desire: Toyah and Robert take a look at some of the objects that surround them in middle England, direct from social medias most famous kitchen! – Watch here…

Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Bullet With Butterfly Wings: This weekend, really has taken the lunch series to a whole new level! Bullet With Butterfly Wings as you’ve never seen or heard it before – Watch here… (Images © Toyah Willcox)

Daily Star: 80s Pop Legend Toyah Terrorised By Ghost

February 20th, 2022

80s pop legend Toyah Willcox terrorised by violent ghost who strangles people

Toyah Willcox says she was left was petrified after witnessing plenty of paranormal activity from a number of spirits at her Worcestershire home as part of a new TV show

Toyah Willcox has been terrorised by a violent ghost.

The pop legend, 63 was petrified after witnessing plenty of paranormal activity from a number of spirits in her Worcestershire home.

And when she staged an exorcism in a bid to scare them off, things turned nasty when one of them strangled someone.

evealing her torment, Toyah said: “I’ve always experienced haunted properties because I’ve constantly lived in very old places. This house is absolutely extraordinary. It is a very active house.”

“There are two obvious ghosts that are sisters and they’ve always been around. The evidence is mainly a whiff of cigarette smoke and perfume.”

• Continue reading at the Daily Star. Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted is streaming now on Discovery +

Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted – Press

February 19th, 2022

More press – from the major UK newspapers – on the spooky events that took place in Toyah’s home in Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted. (Photos © Discovery)

Daily Mail: Moment terrified ghost hunter is ‘strangled by an evil spirit’ inside the ‘haunted’ home of ’80s pop icon Toyah Willcox in paranormal reality show: Toyah Willcox appeared on discovery’s Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted – The 63-year-old was convinced her Worcestershire home is haunted by ghosts. Paranormal expert Barri Ghai was seen choking and gasping for air in her attic Barri and his fellow ghost hunters confirmed that Toyah’s home is in fact haunted – Continue reading…

The Sun: Fright Night – I was choked by a violent ghost in Toyah Wilcox’s attic – I was sure I’d collapse and die on camera: A ghost hunter was left gasping for air after being violently attacked “by a ghost” in pop icon’s Toyah Wilcox’s home – Paranormal expert Barri Ghai claimed he was choked as he confronted an aggressive ghost called George in an upcoming scene on Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted – Continue reading…

Daily Star: Moment ghost hunter is ‘strangled by spirit’ inside haunted home of Toyah Willcox: A ghost hunter says he was throttled by an “evil spirit” in the home of 1980s pop star Toyah Willcox in a terrifying episode of Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted. A spine-tingling video shows a paranormal expert being “throttled by an evil spirit” as ghost hunters investigate paranormal activity inside the home of 1980’s pop icon Toyah Willcox – Continue reading…

Toyah On TV: 80s Greatest Pop Videos – 1985

February 19th, 2022

80s Greatest Pop Videos: Channel 5: Friday 4th March: 10pm
1985. A look at the greatest pop videos of 1985, an era when Kate Bush, David Bowie, Madonna and Prince dominated the charts. Peter Cox and Richard Drummie from Go West recall making the promos for their hits. Paul Young remembers his time at the top of the charts, and directors including Kevin Godley talk about on-set antics and the tricks of the trade behind some of the most famous videos ever made. With Toyah Willcox, Nick Heyward, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant, Katie Puckrik and Nina Myskow.

Toyah On TV: Who Won Wot? 1980 – 1989

February 19th, 2022

Who Won Wot? 1980 – 1989: NOW 80s: Tuesday 22nd February: 9am
From Smash Hits “Most Unwanted Person of 1980” to the Brits “Best Group” of 1989 – Mark Goodier’s 10 hour marathon of 80s award winners lasts nearly as long as the Oscars. (The first artist played from 1981 is Toyah, with the Thunder In The Mountains video. Mark said: “We begin 1981 with a 4ft 11 pop star who had the biggest hair of the entire decade, here’s the Most Fanciable (as voted by Smash Hits magazine readers) Toyah Willcox with Thunder In The Mountains“).

Categories: 1980s, TV/Radio 2022 Tags: ,

Toyah Live 2022: Anthem 40+1 Anniversary Tour

February 18th, 2022

A celebratory 16-date tour of Toyah’s legendary 1981 album, Anthem, is confirmed today.

Here is the press release, with info and full tour dates, from toyahwillcox.com:

ANTHEM 40+1 ANNIVERSARY TOUR CONFIRMED FOR SEP-NOV 2022

A special tour is confirmed today to celebrate 40 years of the iconic, acclaimed and Gold-selling Toyah album Anthem. Originally released May 1981, the album contains the smash hit singles I Want To Be Free and It’s A Mystery.

Spending 46 weeks in the charts, Anthem became one of the most-loved LPs of the 1980s.⁣

To mark its 40+1 anniversary, an extended selection from Anthem will be performed by Toyah and her band alongside her other greatest hits and classics.⁣

ANTHEM 40+1 ANNIVERSARY TOUR⁣
MOST DATES ON SALE FRI 18 FEB⁣
SEE toyahwillcox.com/gigs for links.

September 2022
16 Norwich Epic Studios⁣
23 Leamington Assembly⁣
24 Leeds Brudenel⁣
29 Bristol The Fleece⁣
30 Frome Cheese & Grain⁣

October 2022⁣
06 Hertford Corn Exchange⁣
07 Brighton Concorde2⁣
08 London 229⁣
21 Stockton ARC⁣
22 Sale Waterside⁣
23 Blackburn King George’s Hall⁣
29 Milton Keynes Stables⁣

November 2022⁣
04 Southampton Concorde Club⁣
10 Blackpool Leyton Institute⁣
11 Worcester Huntingdon Hall⁣
12 Stroud Subscription Rooms

Lad Bible: Terrifying Moment Ghost Hunter Is Throttled

February 18th, 2022

Terrifying Moment Ghost Hunter Is Throttled By Aggressive Spirit Living Attic

Sinister footage shows the moment a paranormal investigator was throttled by a suspected ghost while exploring the home of singer Toyah Willcox – spooking him so much that he thought he would ‘die’.

Expert Barri Ghai was looking into paranormal activity in Willcox’s house for the series Celebrity Help! My House is Haunted when the spooky incident allegedly took place.

Ghai was joined by colleagues Ian Shaw and Jayne Harris, having set up a special ‘REM’ recording device.

In the clip, Ghai says: “The REM is going off, I don’t know why.”

• Continue reading at Lad Bible. Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted is streaming from today on Discovery +

Metro: Ghost Hunter Choked By Spirit Living In Toyah’s Attic

February 17th, 2022

Terrifying moment ghost hunter is throttled by aggressive spirit living inside Toyah Willcox’s attic: ‘Get away from him!’

A ghost hunter is throttled by a malevolent spirit while investigating paranormal activity inside the home of singer, actress, and ‘80s pop icon Toyah Willcox. Yes, really.

In a Metro.co.uk exclusive clip from upcoming scenes filmed for Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted, paranormal expert Barri Ghai is left coughing and gasping for air as he’s confronted by an aggressive ghost called George.

It all kicks off when Toyah leaves Barri and his colleagues Ian and Jayne for the night as their investigation starts shaping up to be one of the team’s most active cases yet.

Rigging the house with fixed cameras, the group attempted to reach out to George, who swears at them. After an unnerving start, they go upstairs to the attic when they hear a violent growl on Barri’s recording device. Suddenly, the audio begins picking up snippets of the spirit mentioning Barri by name and telling the trio to ‘get down.’

• Continue reading at the Metro. Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted is streaming from tomorrow on Discovery +

East Anglian Times: Singer Toyah Willcox Visits Sudbury Tearoom

February 16th, 2022

Singer and actress Toyah Willcox has been spotted in a tea room in Sudbury.

The It’s a Mystery and Thunder in the Mountains singer posted a tweet showing her with a group of people at the Strawberry Teapot in Sudbury.

This comes after she performed at the Sudbury Quay on Monday and Tuesday night as part of her tour for her new album Posh Pop.

Owner of the Strawberry Teapot, Amanda Richardson said: “Toyah came in and had afternoon tea, with I think her band or her crew. I kept looking at her, thinking I must recognise her, I know her from somewhere. I was talking to her, and one of the crew said ‘thanks boss’, and then another said ‘thanks Toyah’ and it dawned on me. It was a missed opportunity to tell her how fabulous she is. I was a huge fan when I was growing up.”

• Continue reading at the East Anglian Daily Times. See Toyah’s Instagram post here.

Suffolk News: Toyah Spotted In The Strawberry Teapot

February 16th, 2022

Singer and actress Toyah Willcox spotted in the Strawberry Teapot in Sudbury

Toyah Willcox has been spotted dining in a Sudbury tea room following her performance in the town.

The singer and actress took to twitter to post a photograph of her and a group of others in the Strawberry Teapot tea room.

She is in the town after her performance at the Quay Theatre which took place yesterday and Monday night.

The tour comes following her album Posh Pop that was recorded during lockdown and released in August last year.

The It’s A Mystery singer has released over 20 albums, written two books, and appeared in over 40 stage plays in her 40-year career.

• Continue reading at Suffolk News. See Toyah’s Facebook post here.

Autumn Voices: Quick & Quirky Questions with Toyah Willcox

February 16th, 2022

Toyah Willcox should really need no introduction to you all – she’s a prodigiously talented singer, composer, writer and actress, as well as the co-creator and host of the hugely entertaining Sunday Lunch videos and Agony Aunts podcast with her husband, Robert Fripp. You can read more about her here.

Tell us 4 important facts about yourself:
I am still a charting recording artist today at 63 years old
I’ve been vegetarian since lockdown and have no regrets
I work hard to be able to afford solitude, ironically considering the last couple of years, and I only write music in silence.
I’m aiming to be a conceptual artist within the next two years.

What is your favourite age that you’ve been so far in life, and why?
I live in the now – the past becomes the barometer of how we expect the present. I don’t reflect on any age; life is a constant journey forwards.

Who is your favourite fictional character or famous person over 60?
Gandalf from Lord of the Rings and Will Ferrell the actor (Autumn Voices think he is in his 50s, but he’s a great choice!)

• Continue reading at Autumn Voices.

Categories: Interviews, Press Clips Tags:

Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch: Press

February 15th, 2022

More great press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week covering a Dead Kennedys classic! (Images © Toyah Willcox)

Classic Rock/Louder: Happy Valentines! Toyah and Robert Fripp have covered the Dead Kennedys’ Too Drunk To F**k: This is all getting a bit much and we think we need to go and lie down for a bit – Just when you thought things couldn’t get any crazier in the Willcox-Fripp kitchen, the nation’s favourite prog-post-punk pairing have raised the bar yet again. This week, as humanity settled down to enjoy the traditional Sunday roast, Toyah Willcox and King Crimson man Robert Fripp launched into a frenzied performance of the Dead Kennedys’ 1981 single To Drunk To Fuck – Continue reading…

NME: Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox share cover of The Dead Kennedys’ ‘Too Drunk To Fuck’: The daring duo “crank it up a notch” for a special Valentine’s Day ‘Sunday Lunch’ performance – King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife, singer Toyah Willcox, have shared a cover of ‘Too Drunk To Fuck’ by The Dead Kennedys – The special Valentine’s Day cover – which they’ve renamed ‘Too Drunk To Funk’ – is a part of the pair’s ‘Sunday Lunch’ video series which returned last month after a brief break for the holidays – Continue reading…

Guitar.Com: Robert Fripp and Toyah Are Too Drunk To Funk in New Dead Kennedys Cover: The episode was released as a Valentine’s Day special – King Crimson mastermind Robert Fripp and his wife, singer Toyah have fired out their latest Sunday Lunch cover video, tackling the classic Dead Kennedys tune, Too Drunk To Fuck. The episode comes as a special for Valentine’s Day and renames the track Too Drunk To Funk. It was once again uploaded to Toyah’s YouTube account – Continue reading…

Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah and Robert Fripp cover Dead Kennedys’ “Too Drunk To Fuck”: Well we weren’t expecting this one. Toyah and King Crimson’s Robert Fripp have been on a punk kick of late on their Sunday Lunch cover series but who’d’ve thought they’d head to San Francisco and take on Dead Kennedys’ classic “Too Drunk to Fuck”? Mind you, they’ve neutered it slightly — Toyah’s outfits get them in trouble with YouTube already — so the video is actually titled “Too Drunk to FUNK” and that’s what she’s singing, too, if you listen close enough. (This week’s kitchen cupboard sign: “TOO DRUNK TO FRIPP.”) But otherwise it’s a typically gonzo video from these two — Other recent covers: Billy Idol’s’ “White Wedding” and Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop.” – Continue reading…

Metal Sucks: King Crimson’s Robert Fripp & Toyah Willcox Cover Dead Kennedys’ “Too Drunk to F***”: King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and his wife, the actress and singer Toyah Willcox, are back with the latest entry in their ongoing “Sunday Lunch” series of cover videos. The duo’s latest effort is a cover of Dead Kennedys’ “Too Drunk to Fuck,” which is an interesting way to ring in Valentine’s Day, though it’s more likely a Super Bowl Sunday celebration. Their version, of course, is “Too Drunk to Funk,” seemingly to keep YouTube off their backs – Continue reading…

DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend: Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Too Drunk To Funk… Toyah & Robert – Objects Of Desire… Toyah At Home – Rebel Run – Continue reading…

Sunday Lunch: The ever so daring duo crank it up a notch this week – So much so we have no words to describe this one…… (no really we have no words) Happy Valentines From Toyah & Robert – Watch the video…

• Weekend Extra!: Happy Valentines Day from Toyah – Watch here…

Toyah On TV: Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted

February 15th, 2022

Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted: Discovery +: Streaming from 18th February
Episode 5. Toyah Willcox has experienced persistent paranormal activity in her Worcestershire home ever since she moved in 20 years ago. To lend a helping hand, the Help My House is Haunted team undergo one of their most terrifying investigations to date and uncover a nearby medieval tragedy that could be linked to the hostile entity dwelling in the property. Streaming from Friday 18 February on Discovery +

• Continue reading at toyahwillcox.com. (Photo © Discovery +)

Toyah & Robert: At Home/Objects Of Desire/Sunday Lunch

February 14th, 2022

Toyah At Home – Rebel Run: This week Toyah dives into the history of Rebel Run, and the iconic outfits used in the making of the video, we take a look at the original video and an exclusive performance of the song from last years tour.. – Watch here…

Toyah & Robert – Objects Of Desire: NEW!! – Toyah and Robert take a look at some of the objects that surround them in middle England, direct from social medias most famous kitchen! – Watch here…

Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Too Drunk To Funk: The ever so daring duo crank it up a notch this week – So much so we have no words to describe this one…… ( no really we have no words ) Happy Valentines From Toyah & Robert – Watch here… (Images © Toyah Willcox)

Spotify: Stream The Toyah Singles Collection

February 14th, 2022

From Victims of The Riddle to The Vow, Danced to Dance In The Hurricane and I Want To Be Free to Levitate… stream the new Toyah Singles Collection playlist at Spotify by clicking below.

North Devon Gazette: Great Torrington Welcomes Toyah To Town

February 13th, 2022

Pop legend Toyah Willcox is playing at the Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington on Friday, February 24 for an evening of non-stop entertainment.

In a career spanning over 43 years, Toyah has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty-four albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays, acted in twenty feature films and presented hundreds of television programmes.

This is a unique chance to experience Toyah in an intimate venue performing a set of her loved hit singles and classics, alongside a selection of modern days classics, including ‘Sensational’ and ‘Dance In The Hurricane’, plus songs from her eagerly awaited new studio album “Posh Pop”.

• Continue reading at North Devon Gazette.

Retro Man Blog: Gig Review – Posh Pop Tour at Haslemere Hall

February 12th, 2022

A great, and comprehensive, review of Toyah’s Posh Pop Tour gig on Thursday, at Haslemere Hall in Surrey, from Retro Man Blog.

Toyah at Haslemere Hall, Thursday February 10th 2022

Toyah treated us to a superb career-spanning show last night at Haslemere Hall in deepest rural Surrey, surely one of the poshest places that I’ve ever seen a gig and definitely a very apt venue to host a date on the “Posh Pop” album tour. Even Toyah remarked on how posh the area was, which, given the size and grandeur of Toyah & Robert Fripp’s home was really saying something.

Actually, joking aside, it was refreshing to see a show in a real community theatre, staffed by lovely friendly locals with no over-the-top security or regulations and everyone was extremely helpful. Certainly a bit different from when I saw Toyah for the very first time back in 1981 at the Hammersmith Odeon. So, it was great to see Toyah perform in such an intimate environment and it really suited the Electro-Acoustic line-up which featured Nat Martin on guitars, Chloe Dupree on keyboards, Mike Nichols on bass and Jamie Dupree on guitars and all were superb musicians, really doing justice to the songs.

I loved the new arrangements, they all worked really well and in my opinion “Brave New World” even beat the original. It was nice to hear something different for a change rather than note by note reproductions of songs that we pretty much know by heart anyway.

• Continue reading at Retro Man Blog. Browse all of Toyah’s upcoming Posh Pop Tour, live gigs and festival appearances at toyahwillcox.com.

The Masked Singer: The Sun/Birmingham Mail Press

February 10th, 2022

The final of the third series of The Masked Singer airs this Saturday on ITV. Following press stories a few weeks ago about the possibility of Toyah being, one of the three finalists, Panda, The Sun and Birmingham Mail both published stories yesterday repeating this. (Photos © ITV)

The Sun: Unmasked? Masked Singer fans convinced Panda is 80s pop legend after spotting ‘clues’ in her voice

Masked Singer fans are convinced the celebrity identity behind Panda is none other than 80s pop legend Toyah Willcox. The ITV show’s grand finale is set to air this Saturday with Panda, Robobunny and Mushroom all battling out to be crowned the winner of The Masked Singer 2022.

And while several names such as Natalia Imbruglia and Alesha Dixon have been bounced around, fans of the series now believe the person behind the costume is none other than Toyah, 63, after hearing her distinctive lisp.

Taking to Twitter to share their guess, one fan penned: “Sorry people, Panda is Toyah Willcox. Panda has a lisp. “Toyah also has done theatre, has been in bands as well as solo and is tiny.”

“Watching masked singer for first time. Panda is def Toyah Willcox,” another remarked. “No idea who most of the suggestions even are but Toyah featured heavily in youth tv watching and convinced!!!”

Continue reading at The Sun…

Birmingham Mail: Panda’s identity rumbled after viewers spot ‘lisp’ on ITV The Masked Singer

The ITV show is set to return for its grand finale this Saturday with three celebrities left in the competition. The Masked Singer viewers think they’ve worked out who Panda is – after they are convinced they have spotted the star lisping.

The ITV show is set to return for its grand finale this Saturday with three celebrities left in the competition. Panda, Robobunny and Mushroom are still battling out to be crowned the winner of The Masked Singer 2022.

Several names have been put forward over the competition for who could be behind the Panda costume. Popular guesses include Natalie Imbruglia, Cheryl Cole and Alesha Dixon, but another name has emerged after viewers heard a distinctive lisp.

They now think it is 80s pop legend Toyah Willcox behind the mask. Taking to Twitter to share their guess, one fan said: “Sorry people, Panda is Toyah Willcox. Panda has a lisp. Toyah also has done theatre, has been in bands as well as solo and is tiny.”

Continue reading at the Birmingham Mail… See previous “Toyah is Panda” press by The Mirror.

Best Magazine: Toyah Interview – Toyah’s Potty-Mouthed Ghost!

February 8th, 2022

Toyah is interviewed in the latest issue of Best magazine (15th February 2022, Issue 07).

Toyah’s Potty-Mouthed Ghost!

Singer Toyah Willcox talks sweary spirits, sage and loving being scared, as she appears on Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted…

Fans of creepy TV shows will be loving the return of Help! My House Is Haunted – its spin-off show hunts down unwanted spirits haunting the stunning homes of UK celebrities. Ordained exorcist Ian Lawman, ghost-hunter/investigator Barri Ghai and paranormal researcher and historian Jayne Harris return to tackle their most notable cases to date and exorcise the haunted properties of some famous faces – as they enter the homes of among others, Alex Best, reality star Charlotte Crosby and musician Toyah Willcox. Here, the 63-year-old singer from King’s Heath, Birmingham – famed for hits like It’s A Mystery and Thunder In The Mountains – tells us about life in her haunted Midlands home with her musician hubby, Robert Fripp.

“Our last house was so haunted we had to leave”

Toyah, what made you want to do this? It’s as far from making music as you could imagine…
My house is very old and one of the most extraordinary things about it is that my husband and I only went to view it to be nosy – but as we walked through the door, I burst into tears, We both knew immediately it was meant to be our home. It was as if the house had invited us to live there. I’ve always experienced haunted properties because I’ve constantly lived in old places – but this house, for me, has just been glorious.

What surprised you the most about this experience?
I’m very proud that my house has friendly feeling. My guests see something all the time! I always say, ‘It’s friendly, don’t worry, it’s just proof of life after death.’ But when the team told me there was something here meaning harm, that threw me. It was as if it only wanted me in this house, not outsiders. I’ve never felt compromised in any way in this house, but the team started getting attacked!

What happened?
Barry, one of the crew, got strangled by one of the spirits – and they think it’s because I wasn’t there! That made the hair on my arms stand up. But I’m afraid I loved every minute. I kind of enjoyed the team being scared too, because it was really reaffirming for experiences we’ve had elsewhere. Our last house was so haunted that we had to move – it shows you’re not alone in this.

Has all this made you want to explore paranormal activity more?
It’s made me very aware of history. I live in an abbey town, where parts of the Battle Of Worcester were fought during the English Civil War. So over the river where I live, people died in battle. Out of respect, I would want to know more about it. A deserter spirit came forward in my home, who was running away from that battle. If you tuned in and know the history of a place, you have a sympathetic leaning towards whatever spirit may still be there.

Have you always believed in the supernatural?
Yes, I think I have. And I firmly believe that we lead such busy lives we only see the obvious, you know? I think there’s a lot that goes on around us that we would never notice, because it’s so subtle.

• Continue reading in the latest issue of Best magazine, on sale now!