Dreamscape | The Toyah Willcox Fansite

Christmas 1984, The Ebony Tower – written by John Fowles and originally published in 1974 – aired on ITV on the 9th December.

Toyah filmed the 90-minute television drama, which was produced by Granada TV, in the Dordogne region of France during the Summer of 1983. She starred alongside Sir Laurence Olivier, Greta Scacchi and Roger Rees.

The Ebony Tower, and working with Laurence Olivier, is a memory and a career entry Toyah has often remembered in interviews across the past four decades.

Read an interview with Toyah, published when The Ebony Tower aired, by Outlook magazine, and another from around the same time, by Cosmopolitan magazine. Read Dreamscape’s 2011 DVD review, and view a couple of our fan adverts. (Thanks to andy for the screen cap below)

For the third consecutive December I had a wonderful festive day last week in Dundee with Sharon and her folks, Irene and Bob. We had an amazing Christmas lunch at Market restaurant in the city. Later, Sharon and I visited the fab Secret Pub for a festive mocktail. Such a lovely day with lots of laughter and Christmas moments!

• See all our 2025 “tour dates” :) here! (Photos © David Fleming)

Christmas 2023, Toyah guests on BBC One’s The Great British Sewing Bee on 21st December, alongside actor and comedian Kerry Godliman, comedian and writer Jessica Knappett and actor Hammed Animashaun.

Toyah took part in a number of festive sewing challenges, creating a variety of outfits for Christmas! Toyah also reminisced with one of the show’s hosts, Esme Young, about Love Is The Law and Princess Diana. It was Esme’s fashion house, Swanky Modes, who concepted and designed Toyah’s iconic and memorable imagery for the 1983 album, Love Is The Law.

There was a tonne of pre-broadcast press for The Great British Sewing Bee, and the programme was a ratings hit for the build-up week to Christmas. Post-airing there was also an abundance of press – print and digital, reporting on Toyah winning the show!

• Revisit this seriously festive Toyah memory from 2023 – via numerous posts – at Dreamscape’s News Archive. (Photos © BBC) PS. Apologies for that pun in the title… Couldn’t resist :)

Christmas 2012, Toyah guested on Marlow FM’s ‘Musical Milestones’ on The Eclectic Light Show.

She discussed her life and career in relation to music and what it has meant to her, as well as its importance in her life. Toyah also chose six pieces of her favourite music, for significant reasons which she discusses during the programme.

The music choices were by Gustav Holst (Mars, The Planet Suite), Simon & Garfunkel (Bridge Over Troubled Water), T. Rex (Ride A White Swan), David Bowie (Life On Mars), Shakespears Sister (Stay), Muse (Supermassive Black Hole).

“Music embodies your soul, it embodies your physicality, it embodies your thoughts…”

This aired on Christmas Eve that year, and at the time marlow FM didn’t have a Listen Again function so I recorded it and uploaded to Dreamscape a low quality mp3 of the 30-minute special. Click below to listen/download.

Christmas 2025, and Toyah releases her final Short Story of the year – Santa’s Gift.

These stories, written and read by Toyah, premiered on 14th February 2025, with Two Lovers Meet, and thus far there have been nine, including this latest Christmas tale, in the series of short stories that will, no doubt, continue in 2026.

The final short story of the year from Toyah is perfect for the Christmas season, a gently start to the day or a cosy evening indoors. Curl up and be swept away with Santa’s Gift.

• Listen at Toyah’s official YouTube and Facebook. Browse our other Toyah’s Wonderful World Of Weird posts, here. (Image © Toyah)

NB. You can also explore all nine stories in the Wonderful World of Weird Playlist at YouTube.

Christmas 1990 saw Toyah play Miss Scarlet in a special festive edition, “Christmas Past, Christmas Present”, of ITV’s Cluedo. The episode also starred: Joan Sims, Kate O’Mara, Ian Lavender, Derek Nimmo and others.

You are invited to a murder: Arlington Grange – home of wealthy widow Elizabeth Peacock; society hostess and patron of the arts. A woman with a reputation she would rather forget.

Colonel Mustard: Secret lover of Mrs. Peacock. A dashing military hero who’s glittering career hides a tarnished past. The Reverend Green: Pastor of the parish who’s means of raising money are not heaven sent. Though a man of the cloth, he has feet of clay. Professor Plum: Nuclear physicist and government advisor. But would his research methods stand the scrutiny of a microscope. Miss Scarlett: vivacious step-daughter of Mrs. Peacock; who’s lust for the high life will let nothing or no-one stand in her way. And Mrs White: for the past 15 years, friend and housekeeper to Mrs. Peacock. But what what dark secret did she bring to Arlington Grange? Six people, all with murder on their minds.

We had a fascinating night out at the Science Lates: Merry Little Christmas event at Glasgow Science Centre, at Pacific Quay, on Saturday night. A four-hour festive extravaganza that included a theatre show and much more. We were set on fire, hit by a hammer, spun upside down on a giant wheel and much more. A lot of fun!, and then into the city centre to throw some festive shapes at The Polo Lounge.

• See all our 2025 “tour dates” :) here! (Photos © David Fleming)

Christmas 2022, Toyah announced the release of a special 10” cherry red coloured vinyl EP commemorating the classic 1982 single Brave New World. To be released in March 2023, and limited to 500 copies only.

This became the first in a series of 10″ single releases by Toyah, with Rebel Run, and I Believe In Father Christmas also receiving limited edition releases on the format in 2024.

The EP contained four tracks, all previously unreleased versions, including the long-awaited Dawn Chorus (6.55 Special Mix). The release was part of Cherry Red Records’ special ‘45s at 45’ vinyl series marking the 45th Anniversary of the label.

The Tracklist: Side One: 1. Brave New World (Razzmatazz Mix). 2. Street Creature (Razzmatazz Mix) | Side Two: 1. Dawn Chorus (6.55 Special Version), 2. Ieya 1982 (Edited Version)

• Toyah At Home: December 2025 – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Merry Christmas – Watch… (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Christmas 2025, Toyah announces a short festive tour for December 2026, Toyah’s Christmas Party, playing Liverpool Tung Auditorium (Friday 4th December), Sunderland The Fire Station (Saturday 5th December), London Union Chapel (Saturday 12th December), Birmingham Town Hall (Sunday 13th December).

Toyah said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing my Christmas Party shows back on the road for 2026. These shows are all about joy, celebration and coming together, and I can’t wait to share an unforgettable festive night with everyone. See you there xx”

• Book tickets for Toyah’s Christmas Party Tour 2026 here or by clicking below.

Christmas 1983, A little, albeit unconventional, Christmas shopping – aka December retail therapy – at one of London’s top department stores – Liberty London, located at 21 Great Marlborough Street and also on Regent Street – made the fourth festive season of the 80s a very memorable one for Toyah fans and viewers of Good Morning Britain on TVAM.

Toyah was sporting her Rebel Run Tour/The Vow look for this, and other notable television appearances/interviews in latter 1983. One of the very few times during her entire career when she had dark hair, similar to her natural colour, which is another reason why this TVAM guest spot and late 1983 in general is a particularly memorable Toyah era.

Toyah, and her Brave New World video co-star Messenger, went early Christmas shopping in November… 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 London 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 and click below to see larger versions of the screen captures of Toyah and Messenger.

We had an amazingly festive day out in Edinburgh last Thursday. Breakfast at The Booking Office on Waverley Bridge, some Christmas shopping and exploring the huge market at Princes Gardens, lovely afternoon tea at Willow Tea Rooms, and visits to say hello to Paddington and Greyfriars Bobby. Just a lovely day and great way to start Christmas!

• See all our 2025 “tour dates” :) here! (Photos © David Fleming) See more photos here.

Christmas 2025, Dreamscape is celebrating 26 Christmas times online this year, and for almost every one of those we have counted down to the 25th with an advent calendar or sometimes just a selection of seriously Christmassy Toyah related posts.

Christmas has always been incredibly important to me as I’ve always loved the wonderful colours and scents of the season, there is nothing like a beautifully put together Christmas tree or a perfectly curated festive window display.

I also associate this time of the year with my happy childhood and celebrating Christmas with my parents and pets, who are all gone now, but I always remember them even more so than usual at Christmas.

It made perfect sense to me that Christmas would be a big part of Dreamscape’s December each and every year, especially as Toyah and Robert love Christmas too. Aside from all of the above, I always feel that the world feels just a little more joyful and happy during December…

Homes Under The Hammer: BBC1: Monday 29th December: 11am
Toyah Willcox. Dion Dublin is joined by Toyah Willcox in a 20th anniversary celebrity special, to look around a three-bed semi in her native Birmingham. Jacqui Joseph is in Lincolnshire to see a ground-floor flat. Plus, a look through the series archives to remember one of Dion’s early appearances, where he shows off his dance moves at a former nightclub in Burnley. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Christmas 1982, The build up/countdown to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas almost every December for the last 25 years, so here we go again…

Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which I didn’t realise also features Robert Fripp until Toyah mentioned it a few years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982.

The programme aired on Boxing Day and also featured Musical Youth, Mari Wilson, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, The Nolans, Toto Coelo, The Mighty Wah! and Shakin’ Stevens.

According to an info board posted online, Pop Goes Christmas was only recorded less than a fortnight before it aired. Not sure if this is completely accurate. 

Toyah sounds glorious, looks amazing (wearing her Brave New World/The Changeling black contacts) and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees during the recording, which was introduced by David Essex. Bravo!

Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Really: Thursday 18th December: 6am
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.

Christmas 2011, Toyah presented a fantastic, three-hour, music-filled festive spectacular for the, relatively, new music channel Vintage TV.

Toyah’s Vintage Christmas was a constant that Christmas, airing numerous times through December, with Toyah introducing festive pop videos and sharing seasonal trivia.

As well as festive shows on the channel there were many more Toyah shows, including appearances on My Vintage, Toyah & Robert, Toyah’s Electric Ladies, Toyah Willcox At The Water Rats, Needle Time, Live With… Toyah and more.

Much of this great content is now unavailable but Toyah’s Official YouTube channel has occasionally uploaded footage from a selection of these, hopefully not lost forever, shows.

Toyah’s Vintage Christmas was repeated in subsequent years, and Toyah would go on to present other Christmas shows – including A Very Vintage Christmas, Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo – right through until Vintage TV ceased broadcasting in 2017.

Christmas 2011, ITV’s This Morning got into the festive spirit with their Big Fat Panto Quiz, with a bunch of celebs who were starring in pantos around the country that Christmastime!

Paul Ross was Quizmaster, with Bonnie Langford, The Krankies, Timmy Mallet, Lynda Bellingham, Kevin Cruise and Toyah (playing the Wicked Queen), all in full panto dress/character, answering the questions.

Panto is a huge Christmas tradition here in the UK. Oh yes it is!

It just seems to grow more popular each and every year, with huge panto productions taking place at major London and Birmingham theatres every December, as well as numerous smaller productions at almost every theatre and venue in every town, city and village in the UK. Long may the tradition continue, and continue to flourish.

A short clip from The Big Fat Panto Quiz is still available online here. Please click on the caps to view larger versions.

NB. We miss Toyah appearing in panto, though I think the last one was, Sleeping Beauty, way back in 2012, just one year after this TV appearance. I went to a few – even travelling all the way to lovely Canterbury one Christmas – and they were always fun

Toyah’s festive blog for December/Christmas 2025 is now available to read at toyahwillcox.com.

Christmas 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984. In the early eighties Toyah’s Official Fanclub – Intergalactic Ranch House – sent out Christmas cards to subscribing members each December, with Toyah taking the time to sign each and every card, which numbered around 6,000 at the height of the fanclub’s popularity.

This tradition was carried on for an extra year, in 1984, when the Intergalactic Ranch House became simply the Toyah Fanclub following Toyah leaving Safari Records after five years and signing to CBS/Portrait Records, with a card being sent out to all members of the fan club for one final time.

All four cards featured photos of Toyah, showcasing great early eighties imagery and creating a unique set of fanclub memorabilia that became collector’s items.

Official Toyah have referenced the cards sporadically over the years, recalling an extra special few years when receiving a Christmas card from our favourite pop star just added to the magic of our childhood Decembers.

Here’s a snapshot of a feature on the Christmas cards from an issue of Dreamscape’s fanzine.

Welcome to the first day of our Countdown To Christmas for 2025…

At Dreamscape headquarters we are seriously excited about Christmas this year, and hoping December will be magic again, after a tricky few months… and we are travelling back three years for our first festive missive… Stay tuned all month as we dig out or old – and a few shiny and new – decorations to get you into the festive mood, with an extra sprinkling of Toyah Christmassy magic!

Christmas 2022, Toyah wished everyone a Merry Christmas Eve on Toyah At Home, on, yup, Christmas Eve. The show aired at You Tube and Facebook. It was a wonderfully festive show, adding to the excitement and anticipation that is always in the air on Christmas Eve – Such a magical day!

Toyah talked Christmas, as well as taking us back to a vintage performance of It’s A Mystery on Top Of The Pops, Christmas Day 1981. It was great to see that performance again as I could still clearly remember watching that edition of Top Of The Pops on Christmas Day all those years ago!

Toyah’s Christmas Eve At Home festive special is still available to watch/rewatch at Toyah’s official You Tube channel – Click below to return to Christmas 2022. (Image © Toyah Willcox)