Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW Rock: Sunday 23rd March: 7am
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video).
Toyah’s bold, defiant and most experimental work, the 1988 solo album “Prostitute” is released for the first time as an expanded CD edition in deluxe 7” sized gatefold packaging on 6 June from Edsel.
This Deluxe 2CD Edition features a previously unreleased live recording of the album from Chichester. In November/December 1988 Toyah formed a new band Fripp Fripp with musician Robert Fripp and embarked on a 22-date tour. On the 7 UK and 15 European gigs Toyah performed the Prostitute album live, accompanied by Paul Beavis on live drums as the tour’s first act
For Toyah fans and collectors, it’s a fascinating document of Toyah performing an impressive volume of vocals, dialogue and lyrics with precision and defiance. The package includes rare imagery, ephemera and a new sleevenote by Toyah archivist Craig Astley.
The album was written and played entirely by Toyah Willcox and Steve Sidelnyk who went on to record and play live with Madonna (Ray of Light, Music), Seal and Richard Ashcroft, amongst many others. A fiercely independent lyrical work, it is sonically also a radical departure from previous albums comprising drums, vocal and guitar meshed with a scrapbook of samples and found sound.
Toyah explains: “I would get up at four in the morning and capture the dawn chorus, record church bells, snippets of conversations and producer Tony Arnold would marry them into the tracks. We worked as if we were compiling a scrapbook with glue and paper, old newspaper cuttings, lost love letters, odd thoughts and tons of fractured emotions.”
• Pre-Order Prostitute on 2CD and/or Picture Disc here. Read more info/the press release at toyahwillcox.com. See also the reissued album’s page. Watch Toyah announcing the release during last weekend’s Toyah At Home.
Released by Edsel on 6 June, Toyah’s 1987 solo album “Desire” receives its first ever standalone CD reissue as a new expanded edition in deluxe 7”-sized gatefold packaging.
This deluxe 2CD edition includes a second disc of 18 rare and ‘desirable’ bonus tracks including the 12” mix of lead single Echo Beach plus outtakes and B-Sides. Excitingly six previously unreleased tracks feature including the long-awaited release of the post-Desire rarity We Play Machines.
Originally issued on the EG label, the album was produced by Mike Hedges (Siouxise & The Banshees) and recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in the autumn of 1986.
This deluxe 2cd edition includes a second disc of 18 rare and ‘desirable’ bonus tracks including the 12” mix of lead single Echo Beach plus outtakes and B-Sides from the album sessions. Excitingly six previously unreleased tracks feature including the long-awaited release of the post-Desire rarity We Play Machines.
Rare live concert recordings of Desire songs have been unearthed especially for this release; Revive The World performed at The Orange Club, Kensington with Kiss Of Reality in 1992, Desire and Moonlight Dancing from 1994 plus Echo Beach from Toyah & Robert Fripp’s summer 2024 Rock Party Tour.
The Desire album recording sessions ran concurrent to Toyah starring in the Strand Theatre revival of celebrated musical Cabaret. Toyah appeared as the lead Sally Bowles, alongside Wayne Sleep in the Gillian Lynne-directed production. Although a cast recording was made of the Strand production it was before Toyah took over the role of Bowles. Ten years later, Toyah revisited Cabaret with a recording of four songs, one of which is a duet with British actor Nigel Planer. This marks the first time these tracks have ever been included on a Toyah release.
The Desire album includes an eclectic set of musicians across the 11 tracks with guest guitar spots from Ronnie Wood, Robert Fripp, and The League of Crafty Guitarists. Engineered by Haydn Bendall (Hounds of Love), the album’s lead single was a sparkling cover of the 1980 Martha & The Muffins’ new wave hit “Echo Beach”. Reissue compiled/project manager; Craig Astley.
• Pre-Order Desire on 2CD and/or Picture Disc here. Read more info/the press release at toyahwillcox.com. See also the reissued album’s page. Watch Toyah announcing the release during last weekend’s Toyah At Home.
On Friday 6 June 2025, Edsel/Demon Records will issue Limited Edition Picture Discs of the solo Toyah albums Minx (1985), Desire (1987) and Prostitute (1988).
All three are housed in special die-cut vinyl outer sleeves containing rare and unseen imagery. Available exclusively from Townsend Music.
Minx is presented as a Deluxe Edition, adding the 2 tracks from the original 1985 cassette/CD formats – never previously available on vinyl. The album’s two B-Sides also feature on the 14-song track list.
A Minx Deluxe 2CD Edition, released summer 2024, containing a second disc of rarities & previously unreleased demos, is also available.
• Pre-Order the Picture Discs here. Read the press release at toyahwillcox.com. Watch Toyah announcing the release during last weekend’s Toyah At Home.
Toyah’s interview with Michael Parkinson, on his chat show Parkinson, airs for the first time, since it was originally broadcast in October 1981, this weekend on BBC Four.
Parkinson: BBC Four: Saturday 15th March: 10.45pm
Dave Allen, Toyah Willcox and Peter Skellern. Michael Parkinson in conversation with comedian Dave Allen, actress and singer Toyah Willcox and singer-songwriter Peter Skellern. First broadcast 31 October 1981.
An excerpt from a new interview with Toyah, from Blitzed Magazine, talking playing live, her back-catalogue reissues and Strictly.
From princess of punk to accomplished stage actress, Toyah Willcox is a uniquely gifted, well-loved and respected performer. Charismatic, outspoken and very passionate, she is one of Britain’s most beloved household names of stage, screen and radio. The hit singles ‘It’s A Mystery’, ‘I Want to Be Free’, ‘Brave New World’ and platinum-selling albums Anthem and The Changeling confirmed her status as one of the most significant talents of the 1980s. In 1982 she won the Best Female Singer at the British Rock & Pop Awards (which later became The Brits).
In recent years, Toyah has seen her career take on even more challenges with TV, live festivals, re-releases of classic albums, as well as awards and new material too. For issue 18 of Blitzed, we spoke to Toyah about her legacy and kicked off by asking her how she would summarise 2024 in terms of the highs and lows?
The year has been very rewarding, and it’s satisfying to be seen and regarded as an artist of influence in the music industry. I will remember 2024 for the rewards after decades of work. Glastonbury will always be a high point in my life. It is a magical festival that takes place on a very powerful piece of land and the audience add to that. No other experience matches it, it is a truly loving caring community where music is the very heart and soul of everything. The lows, there aren’t really any other than seeing my brilliant 78-year-old husband move into a more fragile time in his life but that is inevitable.
• Continue reading at Blitzed Magazine. Read the full interview with Toyah in issue 18 of Blitzed Magazine.
Fans surprised to find out they’re talking to 80s singing legends on shopping hotline
Martin Kemp, Toyah Willcox and Sinitta manned a 1980s style shopping ‘hotline’ to the delight of fans
Martin Kemp, Toyah Willcox and Sinitta were manning a vintage ’80s hotline, sending fans into a frenzy as they sold them retro-inspired clothing.
The trio of ’80s icons got stuck in and took calls from enthusiasts of the era. Kemp, who rocked the ’80s as Spandau Ballet’s bassist, was dishing out some “Gold” one-liners and even broke into song down the line to a gobsmacked punter.
Toyah, a veteran of the music scene with over 20 albums, got in on the action too, joking: “Don’t trust Martin, Sinitta and I to place your order – all we’re good at is singing.”
• Continue reading at the Daily Star. See also the Express, The Sun, and Toyah’s Facebook.
Toyah promised a bonus Toyah At Home last Saturday… and sure enough it is here, with a special announcement – and a cute cameo from Fripp the bunny!
Celebrity PopMaster TV: More4: Tuesday 18th March: 9pm
Series 2. Episode 1. Ken Bruce kicks off the second series of the music quiz with the first of two celebrity editions. Featuring contestants Toyah Willcox, Richard Blackwood, Sally Lindsay, MistaJam and Kimberly Wyatt. (Photo © Channel 4/More 4)
It’s 1st March and so it’s time for a brand new Toyah at Home. Join Toyah in Edinburgh & Dubai with a catch-up on what she’s been up to including a special appearance in the Now That’s What I Call A Musical theatre show. There’s also music to coincide with the imminent release of two new picture disc vinyl Collector’s Editions for Sheep Farming In Barnet and The Blue Meaning.
• Tune it at the same time next Saturday, 8th March, for a bonus Toyah At Home with announcement.
Read Toyah’s latest blog at toyahwillcox.com. Including news on Now That’s What I Call A Musical, Rewind Dubai & more. New announcements happening soon too! As well as lots about the new Toyah & Robert family members, the gorgeous Fripp & Eno. (Photos © Toyah)
Now This Isn’t What I Would Call A News Post… (see what I did there?, yup, I’m here all week!!), but just a post to say that this poster – created for Toyah’s week of shows at Edinburgh Playhouse in Now That’s What I Call A Musical – is AMAZING!!! (Photo © Toyah)
Browse Toyah’s, officially confirmed, live schedule for 2025 – including gigs, festivals and more!
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Friday 14th March: 6.30pm
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Sunday 16th March: 9.30am
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. (Photo © ITV)
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW Rock: Friday 7th March: 11pm
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video).
Toyah Willcox visits Rudheath Senior Academy for SEND day
Eighties icon Toyah Willcox helped to inspire Cheshire teachers with a talk about her experiences living with dyslexia.
The 66-year-old singer-songwriter and actress was paying a visit to the Rudheath Senior Academy for a day dedicated to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
On February 14, the North West Academies Trust (NWAT) hosted its annual Trust Inset Day bringing together 230 educators from the 12 primary and secondary schools it runs, including Rudheath.
And, giving a powerful keynote address, Toyah shared with the audience her experience with dyslexia, which she described as her ‘superpower’.
• Continue reading at Chester Standard. See also: Toyah Willcox shares her dyslexia ‘superpower’ at Chester trust event at Chester Nub News. (Photos © NWAT)
Secret Diary Of A Call Girl: That’s TV: Thursday 13th March: 4am
Series 1. Episode 1. Adult drama based on the journals of Belle de Jour, starring Billie Piper as a high-class escort who enjoys what she does but has to keep it a secret from everyone in her personal life. Belle entertains two new clients – one of whom gets too close for comfort. With Toyah Willcox and Cherie Lunghi.
Secret Diary Of A Call Girl: That’s TV: Thursday 14th March: 4.20am
Series 1. Episode 2. Belle is invited to a prestigious adult party, but her client doesn’t want to join the action. Starring: Billie Piper, Toyah Willcox, Aleksandar Mikic, Jamie Sives, Aislinn Sands and Scarlette O’Harlette.
• Series One of Secret Diary Of A Call Girl first aired in 2007 on ITV. Toyah appeared in Episodes 1,2 and 8 (Photos © ITV)
Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Really: Sunday 16th March: 4am
Toyah (Series 2, Episode 2). Celebrities hunt for a new home. Gaby Roslin helps the original punk-pop princess Toyah Willcox search for a second home, in Richmond upon Thames, with a budget of £650,000.
Now That’s What I Call A Musical is currently playing the Edinburgh Playhouse – a wonderful venue in Scotland’s capital city that Toyah has played a number of times over the past 40+ years: Including The Changeling Tour (1982), Best Of The 80s Tour (2004), Vampires Rock (2009) and 80s Invasion Tour (2017) – with Toyah in a guest role.
• See social media posts from Toyah about the show here and here. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Toyah also played Rewind Dubai at the weekend (Saturday 22nd February). See a related post here, and a preview of an interview with Toyah talking Rewind Dubai here.
