For the fourth consecutive year Toyah has been omnipresent on Vintage TV throughout December. This year the 2011 special Toyah’s Vintage Christmas, 2012’s Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo and 2013′s two-parter, co-hosted by Toyah and Roy Wood, A Very Vintage Christmas have all aired numerous times over the last few weeks.
There are still chances to catch both parts of A Very Vintage Christmas and Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo. Toyah will be popping up a couple of times on the channel on Christmas Day.
Here are the days and times for the final airings of Toyah’s specials on Vintage TV this Christmas.
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Tuesday 23rd December: 11.30pm Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Christmas Day: 9pm Cosy up with family and friends as Toyah Willcox brings you a selection of fine Christmas songs and a sprinkling of festive stories, surrounded by a variety of creatures great and small. (This originally aired as a two-hour special. These are cut-down one hour programmes)
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Christmas Day: 11.30pm A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Saturday 27th December: 11pm Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists on our new show as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs. (Part 1)
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Boxing Day: 7pm Snuggling up by the fireside with Toyah Willcox and Roy Wood for some Christmas chat and festive songs are pop rock act The Feeling and Imagination’s Leee John. (Part 2)
Toyah tweeted a tribute to Billie Whitelaw this morning: “R.I.P & GOD BLESS BILLIE WHITELAW! thank you Billie for being a role model and an inspiration.“. BBC News and the Coventry Telegraph have included Toyah’s message in their news reports on Billie’s death.
Christmas 1996, Toyah contributed a touching recollection of childhood Christmasses to the charity publication ‘Once Upon A Christmas’. This book is now out of print.
In this delightful Christmas book, a host of our most popular and well-known celebrities from all walks of life have contributed stories, memories, recipes and thoughts about Christmas to make this the most irresistible festive anthology there is… Once Upon A Christmas will help to put – and keep – you in the Christmas spirit.
Toyah Willcox: Broadcaster and Singer
Childhood Christmasses were the most magical.
It was the appearance of the Christmas tree that cued two weeks of sheer all-encompassing joy. I’m talking about being four years old. Just able to talk but unable to comprehend the hidden meanings of the words of wisdom from the giants, the adults. My family home, although modest, was a castle to me and everything in it was rare and precious. But the Christmas tree was proof that Narnia, fairies, hobgoblins and fauns truly did exist…
• Continue reading at Dreamscape’sPress Archive. (Thanks to Paul Lomas)
The legendary Billie Whitelaw died today. Toyah often cited Billie as her favourite actress in interviews over the years. Billie’s Aunt delivered me into the world in 1967… Rest in Peace to a wonderfully feisty and intelligent woman.
A few years ago Dreamscape compiled the ‘Toyah Festive 50′. A tinseltastic half-tonne of Yuletide related Toyah facts, information, figures and trivia. Revisit the full rundown here.
Why was Toyah Scarlett at Christmas? … Who would be her dream dining companion? … Just how many town’s lights did Toyah switch on at Christmas 2003?…
What were Toyah and Tony Robinson doing at Christmas 1988? … Which other programmes were aired the Christmas Eve night that Toyah’s legendary Theatre Royal, Drury Lane concert was watched by millions on BBC2?
Discover the answer to these and much more in our Toyah @ Christmas/Festive 50 information overload! Completely unecessary but a lot of fun nonetheless!
Maigret: ITV Encore: Monday 12th Jan: 5.50pm Maigret and the Hotel Majestic. Crime series featuring Georges Simenon’s celebrated Parisian detective. Maigret is called to the scene when a beautiful woman is found dead in the basement of the Hotel Majestic with a gun in her handbag. The Chief Inspector’s investigations initially centre around the staff at the hotel – until he discovers that the woman’s husband booked a trip to Rome that he never made. Starring: Michael Gambon, Geoffrey Hutchings, Michael Shannon, Toyah Willcox (1993). Also airing on ITV Encore HD and Plus 1.
The edition of The Janice Long Review Show which featured a second guest appearance from Toyah, and a look back at the 1982 album ‘The Changeling’, is also being repeated next month. This originally aired in August 2012.
The Janice Long Review Show: Vintage TV Tuesday 13th January: 3am Toyah and Sex Pistols. Broadcaster Paul Sexton returns, alongside producer Trevor Horn and 80s starlet Toyah, to discuss her 1982 gothic release ‘The Changeling’ and Sex Pistols’ ground-breaking ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’.
Happy Christmas From The Stars, a “Free Christmas Record (12 Minutes of Festive Fun)”, the flexi that was attached to the December 9-22, 1982 issue of ‘Smash Hits’ magazine, featured numerous pop stars sending readers festive greetings. Click below to listen – Toyah arrives at 4.46, inbetween Martin Fry of ABC and Steve Strange of Visage. Too-de-loo!!
The countdown to Christmas Day has been continuing daily at toyahwillcox.com’s Christmas Advent, with wonderfully colourful and rare Toyah content, including photos and video footage.
The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Boxing Day: 4.35pm/Hogmany: 8pm Part One, 100 – 51. Denise Van Outen presents the first in a two-part rundown of the 100 best musicals as voted for by viewers, featuring 42nd Street, 8 Mile and The Sound of Music. The first show counts down from 100 to 51 and features memorable clips from film, stage and TV, interspersed with interviews given by performers, directors, writers and choreographers. Also airing on More4 +1 and HD.
The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Sat 27th Dec: 4.10pm/New Year’s Day: 8pm Part Two, 50 – 1. Denise Van Outen concludes the rundown of viewers’ favourite musicals, counting down from 50 to number one. Including memorable clips from film, stage and TV productions, plus contributions by celebrity fans, Hollywood movers and shakers, critics and journalists. Also airing on More4 +1 and HD.
The Janice Long Review Show, the first (of two), featuring Toyah as a guest is repeated early in 2015 on ‘Vintage TV’. This originally aired in July 2012.
The Janice Long Review Show: Vintage TV Thursday 8th January: 3am Earth, Wind and Fire and Seal. Prolific producer Trevor Horn, punk princess Toyah Willcox and music journalist Paul Sexton head to Boogie Wonderland to chat disco classic ‘I Am’ and UK No 1 ‘Seal II’, home to hit ‘Kiss From A Rose’.
Tracklist: 1. It’s A Mystery (Whispered Elixir Mix), 2. It’s A Mystery (Distant Sirens Mix), 3. It’s A Mystery (Acoustic Poolside), 4. Waiting (Alternate Mix).
The Official Toyah Willcox Website say: The final release to mark the twentieth anniversary of the 1994 album Take The Leap is a free digital EP exclusive to toyahwillcox.com. Whisper The Elixir brings together a further four related tracks/versions from the Leap! period.
On the A-Side (in the old money) or tracks 1/2 are two previously unissued remixes of It’s A Mystery prepared at the same time as the tribal version aka Weybridge Mix. On the b-side/ the final two tracks are alternate versions of songs recorded in the main album sessions for Leap…
FM: 4Music: Monday 22nd December: 10.30pm System Addict. Jane dares Dom to quit drinking, he challenges her to stop smoking and Lyndsay is set the task of finding a girlfriend. Including guest appearances by the Toyah Willcox and the Wombats, who perform My Circuitboard City. Comedy, starring Chris O’Dowd, Kevin Bishop and Nina Sosanya.
Toyah Willcox delivers key note speech at Dorset Ladies Luncheon Club
Singer and actress Toyah Willcox, best known for hits It’s a Mystery and Thunder in the Mountains, appeared at the Days Hotel Marsham Court as a special guest of the Dorset Ladies Luncheon Club.
Toyah marked the occasion by setting the Christmas pudding alight and delivery a keynote speech. The club, which has more than 180 members, is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary.
As she lit the Christmas pudding, Toyah said: “Being asked to light the Christmas pudding came as a complete surprise. It was huge, with a lot of Brandy! And it was good fun.”
Toyah and Brave New World star Messenger went early Christmas shopping in November 1983… Pop singer and actress Toyah Willcox has always wanted to do her Christmas shopping on horseback! With a little help from TV-am’s ‘Fantasy Time’, and Liberty’s in Regent Street, Toyah rode a white horse called Messenger through the store. Watch the full TVAM clip at Toyah’s Official You Tube channel or below.
• MM Band Services: Top 10 Christmas songs of all time: Here’s our top 10!: 8. “I Believe In Father Christmas” – Greg Lake/Toyah Wilcox/Elaine Paige “I Believe In Father Christmas” is a song by Greg Lake (most famously a member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer), with lyrics by Peter Sinfield – Continue reading…
• Oxford Mail: Big names revealed for Cropredy music festival: The Proclaimers, ex-Marillion singer Fish and Toyah Willcox are the first acts to be announced an annual music festival in Cropredy, north Oxfordshire. Fairport’s Cropredy Convention will be hosted by folk rock legends Fairport Convention from Thursday, August 13 to Saturday, August 15 – Continue reading…
• Banbury Guardian: Proclaimers are walking 500 miles to Cropredy: On Saturday, Toyah Willcox will be another welcome newcomer to Cropredy when she performs with her band – Continue reading…
• Belfast Telegraph: In my day: Diane Roberts of Cell Partners on the time of her life: Q: And the style, what was that like? A: Flares and duffle coats to start, then ending up with tight jeans and big hair, a la Toyah Willcox, that’s a bit of a confession there! – Continue reading…
• Edinburgh Evening News: Real Lives: ‘One-off’ Brian was home in The Dome: The man credited with turning The Dome in George Street into one of the city’s leading venues has died. A larger-than-life character, Brian Crawford’s many friends and customers ranged from royalty to sporting heroes and actors. He had a close “gang of girlfriends” who included Lorraine Chase, Cilla Black, Rula Lenska, Sheila Ferguson, Shirley Bassey, Angela Rippon, Toyah Willcox and Lorna Luft – Continue reading…
Thursday 25th December, 9.00pm – Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo
Presenter Toyah Willcox wraps up warm for a trip to London Zoo, where she gets up close and personal with the animals, tells Christmas stories and introduces a host of favourite festive songs. Take a wander with our punk princess and bring a little creature comfort to your celebrations.
Saturday 27th December, 11.00pm – A Very Vintage Christmas: Part 1
The fire is lit and we are cosying up with the first of the special guests on our new festive show: presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood talk Christmas with singer songwriter Leddra Chapman, and also 80s beehive queen singer Mari Wilson, before they each perform for us. Leddra treats us to her take on ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ and ‘Fairytale of New York’, while Mari enchants with ‘Mrs Santa Claus’ and ‘First of May’.
Only 11 days until Christmas, why not download some festive Toyah music to help make the rest of the countdown more melodic.
1. Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter)by The Hazel O’Connor Collective, which included Toyah, was released four years ago at Christmas 2010. A charity single, raising funds for the hospice Hazel’s mum was looked after before her death. A great cause and a really good song. Download atiTunes.2. 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’. Two Christmasses ago it was released as a standalone digital single. Download atiTunes.3. Winter In Wonderland, One year on and there was a new digital single, no make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download atiTunes.
Fairport’s Cropredy Convention: first acts for 2015 announced
The organisers of Fairport’s Cropredy Convention announced yesterday (Friday 12 December) the first acts booked to appear at the 2015 festival.
The three-day event, staged by folk-rock band Fairport Convention, takes place annually near Banbury and is Oxfordshire’s most popular music festival. As host band, Fairport Convention will open the festival on Thursday 13 August with a short semi-acoustic set.
On Saturday 15 August, Toyah Willcox will be another welcome newcomer to Cropredy when she performs with her band.
Originally shown in April 2011 on BBC4. Top Of The Pops: The Story Of 1976 is airing again over the festive season, on the Yesterday channel, with showings on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Toyah appears throughout the programme.
Top Of The Pops: The Story of 1976: Yesterday: Christmas Day: 11am Top Of The Pops: The Story of 1976: Yesterday: Boxing Day: 11.20pm
Documentary examining how the BBC’s flagship pop show reflected changes in British music and culture during 1976. As the popularity of glam rock faded, no dominant musical scene emerged to replace it, leading to chart success for bands including Abba, Showaddywaddy, the Brotherhood of Man and the Wurzels – while outside the mainstream, punk rock was rapidly growing in popularity. Featuring contributions by Tony Blackburn, Paul Morley, Toyah Willcox, David Hamilton and Dave Haslam.
Tracklist: 1. God Ceases To Dream (Remix), 2. Now I’m Running (Remix), 3. It’s A Mystery (Weybridge Mix), 4. Tears For Elie (Demo).
The Official Toyah Willcox Website say: This exclusive digital EP release is a companion piece to the full length Take The Leap! album. Has God Ceased to Dream You contains alternate mixes and demos related to the album which were previously issued on various hard copy CD releases which are now deleted.
The first three tracks did all originally appear on the Take The Leap! album but are presented here in quite radically different versions and are all re-vocalled. Tears For Elie originates from the same sessions and was previously available on the 2006 UK CD release of Take The Leap! issued by Demon Records.
• Buy at iTunes or Amazon. Stream at Spotify. This is Toyah’s 28th single (29th if 2010’s multi-artist “Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter)” is included in the tally).
For the fourth consecutive year Toyah has been omnipresent on Vintage TV throughout December. This year the 2011 special Toyah’s Vintage Christmas, 2012’s Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo and 2013′s two-parter, co-hosted by Toyah and Roy Wood, A Very Vintage Christmas have all aired numerous times over the last few weeks.
Maigret: ITV Encore: Monday 12th Jan: 5.50pm
The edition of The Janice Long Review Show which featured a second guest appearance from Toyah, and a look back at the 1982 album ‘The Changeling’, is also being repeated next month. This originally aired in August 2012.
The Janice Long Review Show, the first (of two), featuring Toyah as a guest is repeated early in 2015 on ‘Vintage TV’. This originally aired in July 2012.
