Toyah Willcox: ‘I had tea with Princess Margaret – she wanted to see what a punk rocker looked like’
The singer, actress and presenter talks royal encounters, Judi Dench playing pranks, and an £80,000 bank forgery
Best and worst is a regular interview in which a celebrity reflects on the highs and lows of their life
Born in Birmingham in 1958, Toyah Willcox’s breakthrough role was in Quadrophenia in 1979. From there, she juggled acting with a pop career, selling millions of records. She has continued to sing and act throughout her career with roles in Casualty and Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and she also narrated the children’s TV series Teletubbies. She lives in Dorset with her husband, the King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, with whom she presents the popular YouTube show Sunday Lunch…
• Continue reading at The Telegraph. (Registration required)
Celebrity Money For Nothing: Really: Thursday 27th June: 8am
Series 1, Episode 1. Sarah Moore and Jay Blades search the homes of celebrities to uncover unloved and unused gems for charity. Sarah and Jay look through the homes of 1980s pop stars Sinitta and Toyah Willcox in the hope of uncovering four pieces of junk to transform and sell on for a profit. Woodworking wizard Norman Wilkinson is tasked with taking on Toyah’s tired chairs, while robot-mad Mark Haig gives Sinitta’s broken fan a steampunk-inspired makeover. But will Sarah and Jay find new homes for their revamped items? (Photo © BBC)
Secret Diary of a Call Girl cast – where are they now?
What happened to Billie Piper’s co-stars?
ITV2 drama Secret Diary of a Call Girl is enjoying a second wind, courtesy of Netflix.
The series, which was created by Lucy Prebble (Succession, I Hate Suzie) and ran for four seasons between 2007 and 2011, starred Billie Piper as a high-end escort working in London who kept her lucrative double life hidden from her family.
A number of recognisable faces also appeared alongside Piper.
Toyah Willcox played Gail, Hannah’s mother. She didn’t know what her daughter did for a living.
Willcox was an established singer before Secret Diary and continues to perform.
• Continue reading at Radio Times. As well as Netflix, all four series of Secret Diary Of A Call Girl recently aired on That’s TV.
Portrait Artist Of The Year: Sky Arts: Saturday 22nd June: 1pm
Portrait Artist Of The Year: Sky Arts: Sunday 23rd June: 9am
Portrait Artist Of The Year: Sky Arts: Wednesday 26th June: 3pm
Celebrities V Kids Special. Nitin Ganatra, Anita Mangan, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Toyah Willcox, Leigh Francis and Gemma Cairney join six school pupils selected as part of Sky Arts Access All Arts initiative to paint portraits of Konnie Huq, Lee Ridley and Chi-Chi Nwanoku.
• Saturday Song: World In Action – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Black Dog – Watch… (Image © Toyah Willcox)
The Footage Detectives: Talking Pictures TV: Monday 1st July: 7pm
Quadrophenia. Featuring a look behind the scenes on Quadrophenia. Plus, rescued cinema advertising slides from the Second World War and memories of Smedley’s Sausage Rolls.
On the eve of her 44th single being released… Toyah will be joining Jackie Brambles on Greatest Hits Radio tonight for a Great Conversation from 8pm, ahead of her & Robert Fripp’s performance at the legendary Isle of Wight Festival this weekend. There may be a surprise too. Post-airing listen to the show here…
This news hasn’t been officially confirmed, by Toyah or any source related to Strictly or even the BBC, but it’s being reported by numerous tabloids…
• The Sun: Super Signing – Huge 80s star signs up for Strictly – Read on to find out which other stars are in the frame for next season – Continue…
• Daily Mail: 80’s icon Toyah Willcox ‘signs up for Strictly Come Dancing’ after being inspired by pal Angela Rippon – Continue…
• Daily Express: 80s legend ‘signs up for Strictly Come Dancing’ after being inspired by Angela Rippon – Continue…
• Female First: Toyah Willcox set for Strictly Come Dancing – Toyah Willcox, 66, is reportedly set to take part in the next series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – Continue…
• Yahoo!: Toyah Willcox set for Strictly Come Dancing – Continue…
• Mirror: Toyah Willcox looks set for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 thanks to famous pal – Continue…
• Time will tell, as these rumours have circulated in previous years, but not quite as widespread as the current reports. Keep an eye on Toyah’s official website and social media, as well as the BBC and Strictly Come Dancing cast announcements!
Toyah releases Roses In Chains in just five days… See a preview of the video at Facebook and Instagram. Pre-save the single by clicking below.
Toyah & Robert played the first two dates of their Summer Rock Party Tour over the weekend – in Frome and Evesham. Next Sunday brings their first 2024 festival date at the Isle Of Wight Festival…
• The Westmorland Gazette: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp will perform at The Coro – Continue…
• The Mail: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp to perform in Ulverston – Continue…
• Warrington Worldwide: Toyah and Robert set to rock Parr Hall – Continue…
• Evesham Journal: Pershore’s Toyah Willcox returns to Evesham for rock concert – Continue…
In anticipation of the upcoming deluxe reissue of, Toyah’s 1985 debut solo album, Minx – a couple of previously unseen variations of Toyah photos from the Terence Donovan Minx-era shoots have been made available… Pre-order Minx here.
The first series of The Older Woman, the six-part radio drama which was originally broadcast in 1993, is currently airing again on BBC Radio 4 Extra. with the final episode on this week.
Toyah plays Elsa, alongside Martun Clunes and Zoë Wanamaker as Roy and Jane in this excellent, and slightly surreal, drama by Tony Bagley. Toyah also performs the theme song to The Older Woman.
The series, produced by Paul Schlesinger, also features David Troughton, Geoff McGivern, David Holt, Keith Drinkel and Melanie Hudson in a variety of roles.
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Friday 21st June: 7am/12pm/6pm
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Saturday 22nd June: 2am
Episode 6 of 6. A letter and phone calls lift the lid on Jane’s chaotic love life. Stars Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Clunes and Toyah Willcox. From February 1993. Last in Series.
• Saturday Morning Song: Sensational (Live at Isle Of Wight Festival 2022) – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Girls Girls Girls – Watch… (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Celebrity Cathphrase: ITV2: Thursday 20th June: 6pm
Series 3, episode 7. Stephen Mulhern hosts a celebrity special of the classic game show, with Nicola Coughlan, Stephen Mangan and Toyah Willcox all trying to say what they see as they guess well-known phrases for the chance to win a £50,000 jackpot for their chosen charity.
The first series of The Older Woman, the six-part radio drama which was originally broadcast in 1993, is currently airing again on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Toyah plays Elsa, alongside Martun Clunes and Zoë Wanamaker as Roy and Jane in this excellent, and slightly surreal, drama by Tony Bagley. Toyah also performs the theme song to The Older Woman.
The series, produced by Paul Schlesinger, also features David Troughton, Geoff McGivern, David Holt, Keith Drinkel and Melanie Hudson in a variety of roles.
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Friday 14th June: 7am/12pm/6pm
The Older Woman: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Saturday 15th June: 2am
Episode 5 of 6. Roy is temporarily distracted from his obsession with Jane by Dick’s rapid descent into alcoholism – and the sudden appearance of Elsa’s ex-husband. However, a night of unbridled passion with Jane looks increasingly likely…. Stars Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Clunes and Toyah Willcox. From February 1993.
Toyah will release a new single, Roses In Chains on Friday 21st June 2024 in time for Toyah second consecutive year of appearing on the bills of the legendary Glastonbury Festival and Isle of Wight Festival.
This captivating new song is a collaboration with her long-time writing partner Simon Darlow, and features the legendary Robert Fripp, adding his signature guitar to the production.
Roses In Chains emerged through collaborative song-writing sessions between Toyah and Simon, crafting a song that delves into the intense dynamics of human relationships. “The idea behind the song is the intensity of relationships; nothing is plain sailing, but bonds are unbreakable” Toyah explains. This theme of enduring connections is powerfully conveyed through both the music and the lyrics.
• Pre save the song now by clicking on the digital cover. See further details at toyahwillcox.com.
There’s another chance to see one of the greatest pop images in modern music history – brought to life in Toyah’s iconic Brave New World 1982 promo video – very soon on BBC4′s re-airing of classic editions of Top Of The Pops.
Top Of The Pops: BBC Four: Friday 14th June: 8.30pm
17/06/1982. Simon Bates presents the weekly pop chart show, first broadcast on 17th June 1982. Includes appearances by Natasha, Roxy Music, Echo and the Bunnymen, Duran Duran, ABC, Bow Wow Wow, Queen, Toyah and Adam Ant.
• Below is the very first Brave New World feature I created for the fanzine back in 2014 (Issue 4).
Another festival date has just been added to Toyah’s already busy Summer 2024 of festival dates, gigs and tour, mostly with Robert but also some solo appearances. She will play the Torchlight Festival on Sunday 18th August.
“I can’t wait to perform live at the Torchlight Festival of Camping on Sunday 18 August. Hope you’ll be coming to see us there. Tickets incl 3 nights camping, entertainment + children go free. Roll on the summer of live music! Toyah xx”
• Further details and ticket links available here.
The Footage Detectives: Talking Pictures TV: Sunday 9th June: 5pm
Quadrophenia. Featuring a look behind the scenes on Quadrophenia. Plus, rescued cinema advertising slides from the Second World War and memories of Smedley’s Sausage Rolls.
• Toyah At Home: June 2024 + Single Announcement – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Welcome To The Jungle – Watch… (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Pointless Celebrities: Challenge: Friday 14th June: 11am
Series 6, Episode 14. Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman present a special celebrity music edition of the quiz that rewards the answers that no-one else could think of. Featuring Mark King and Toyah Willcox, Carol Decker and Limahl, Dave Hill and Dave Bartram and Antony Costa and Scott Robinson. (Photo © BBC)
