Airing on BBC radio for the first time since it was originally broadcast in December 2012, Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas includes an interview with Toyah during this fascinating 30 minute special, discussing ‘Smash Hits’ in the early 1980s and also the memorable and iconic ‘Brave New World’ cover issue.
Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas:
BBC Radio 4 Extra:
Sat 23rd Dec: 7.30am/5.30pm | Xmas Eve: 5.30am
Neil Tennant had a life as a journalist before he became famous as a Pet Shop Boy. In fact, it was on a Smash Hits trip to New York that he had his big breakthrough with the record producer Bobby O.
Here, 30 years after his first stint on pop’s most successful and inventive magazine, Neil recalls the golden days of Smash Hits. We hear from founder and legendary magazine maker Nick Logan, editors David Hepworth and Mark Ellen, writers Miranda Sawyer and Sylvia Patterson, and from regular Smash Hits cover girl, Toyah.
We also sample a rare recording from the 1982 Christmas Flexidisc (a message from the stars) and probably Neil Tennant’s first recording – the music for a trailer advertising Smash Hits stickers.
Producer: Susan Marling. A Just Radio Ltd. production for BBC Radio 4.
Toyah guested on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme on Thursday afternoon, discussing Jubilee at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester (and Teletubbies) with Colin Paterson.
• The interview begins at around 46 minutes into the show and runs for approximately five minutes, including a very short play of It’s A Mystery. Listen at BBC iPlayer Radio.
Toyah guested on Becky Want’s BBC Radio Manchester show yesterday, chatting about Jubilee, turning 60, performing gigs all year, punk and more.
Becky speaks to Toyah Willcox about her return to the stage in Jubilee, an adaptation of the Derek Jarman film, which first came out for the Queen’s Jubilee.
• The interview begins at around 1hr 47m into the show, after a blast of It’s A Mystery, and runs for approximately 30 minutes (includes a break for news/music). Listen at BBC iPlayer Radio.
Diane Morgan Believes in Ghosts: BBC Radio 4 Extra
Saturday 28th October: 9am/7pm
Made for 4 Extra. Diane Morgan trawls the BBC archives for real-life tales of ghost-hunting, hauntings, and the unexplained. Diane is joined by guests who have all had paranormal experiences, including Toyah Willcox, Steve Punt and Maxine Peake. In the run-up to the transmission you can read more about some of the stories she uncovered here, from Toyah Willcox’s haunted house to the chilling apparition on the stairs in a hotel in Wales.
• Further info on Diane Morgan Believes in Ghosts here and here. The programme will be available to listen to BBC iPlayer Radio post-airing,
Listen to a short interview with Toyah from BBC Radio Manchester at Rewind North 2017, by clicking below.
Inheritance Tracks: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Saturday 22nd April: 2.10pm
Inheritance Tracks: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Sunday 23rd April: 2.10am
Toyah Willcox. Singer Toyah Wilcox has inherited ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and wants to pass on the track by Bjork, ‘Human Behaviour’.
Listen to The Reunion: Women of Punk at BBC iPlayer.
Sue MacGregor reunites five musicians who embraced the anarchy of punk music and created a unique style of their own.
For many young people, Britain in the late 1970s was a place without hope. Unemployment was high. The value of the pound was low and, despite the feminist activity of the early 1970s, the most many girls aspired to was to marry well and look good. Female role models were hard to fine – especially in music. The only all-girl troupes on Top of the Pops were Legs and Co. Then punk happened.
Women could dress how they liked, behave how they wanted and develop their own sound without being manipulated by the mostly male gatekeepers of the record industry. Young women who didn’t fit the traditional mould of femininity found a new tribe in punk. A place where they could finally be themselves. But the movement attracted fear and aggression from straight society. And few made much money from the short-lived scene.
Sue MacGregor brings together five female punk pioneers: Gaye Advert, bass player in The Adverts, was described as the first female punk star. But the industry focus on her looks caused animosity in the band. Toyah Willcox, an aggressive tomboy, found her emotional rebellion in punk and appeared in Derek Jarman’s cult punk film Jubilee. Gina Birch of The Raincoats played her first gig in November 1977 a few weeks after forming her all-female band. Tessa Pollitt abandoned her A levels to join all girl punk band, The Slits. Vivien Goldman was in the The Flying Lizards and Features Editor on the weekly music paper, Sounds. She is now a Professor of Punk in New York. The guests discuss the impact and legacy of their movement.
See further information on The Reunion at toyahwillcox.com. (Photo © BBC)
The Reunion: BBC Radio 4: Sunday 16th April: 11.15am
The Reunion: BBC Radio 4: Friday 21st April: 9am
Women of Punk. Sue MacGregor presents the series that reunites a group of people intimately involved in a moment of modern history. Women of Punk: Sue reunites five musicians who embraced the anarchy of punk music and created a unique style of their own.
Celebrating the music that special guests cherish and would like to bestow to future generations.
Singer Toyah Willcox chose ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ by Simon and Garfunkel and ‘Human Behaviour’ by Bjork.
• Download the podcast at BBC Radio 4’s website.
Read full transcripts of a selection of Toyah’s recent BBC radio interviews at The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive. Explore the site for further Toyah interviews, content and resources too.
Toyah, Paul Young and Martika are guesting on Steve Wright in the Afternoon on BBC Radio 2 today. The show begins at 2pm and airs for three hours.
Sharon Horgan & Rob Delaney, Toyah, Paul Young & Martika, Morven Christie: It’s a Big Show with Morven Christie discussing The Replacement, Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney talking about series 3 of Catastrophe, plus Toyah, Paul Young and Martika are in ahead of their ’80s Invasion Tour. And there’s a load of Factoids, the Non-Stop Oldies and the latest entertainment and lifestyle news.
• Listen online live at the BBC Radio 2 website or post-airing at BBC iPlayer.
Toyah guests on Nick Piercey’s show on BBC Radio Oxford today.
Toyah Willcox + Cycle for Charity
The ’80’s Invasion’ tour is back in 2017 with Toyah & Westminster Abbey to Islip cycle.
• Listen online live at the BBC website or post-airing at BBC iPlayer.
The Lee Mack Show: BBC Radio 4 Extra
Monday 30th January: 10.30pm
Episode 6 of 6. Toyah Willcox joins the sharp comedian for stand-up, sketches and music. With Angela McHale and Steve Brown. From April 2005. Includes a great performance of Guns N’ Roses ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ by Toyah.
• Listen online at the BBC website. The programme will also be available, post-broadcast, at BBC iPlayer.
There’s a great selection of past Toyah at BBC Radio 4 content currently available to listen to at BBC iPlayer Radio; Great Lives: Toyah Willcox on Katharine Hepburn (originally aired in September 2015), Ramblings: Toyah takes Clare Balding for a walk in Worcestershire (February 2013), Woman’s Hour: Toyah on being a punk (February 2012), A Good Read: Book reviews (March 1998), and Saturday Live: Toyah’s shares her secret life (August 2011).
As mentioned, Toyah guested on Graham Seaman’s show on BBC Radio Wiltshire yesterday afternoon, via a pre-recorded interview.
Toyah appears at approximately 14m into the programme, discussing bucket lists, and the chat lasts for around five minutes.
• Listen to the show/interview at BBC iPlayer.
Read full transcripts of a selection of Toyah’s recent BBC radio interviews at The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive. Explore the site for further Toyah interviews, content and resources too.
Toyah is guesting on Graham Seaman’s show on BBC Radio Wiltshire today. The programme airs from Midday to 2pm.
Toyah Willcox & A Christmas Cracker
Wiltshire’s Toyah Willcox talks life over 50 & Graham’s special Christmas cracker guest!
• Listen live at the BBC Wiltshire website, and post-airing at BBC iPlayer.
As mentioned, Toyah guested on BBC Hereford & Worcester yesterday, chatting to Tammy Gooding on her radio show.
Toyah appears at approximately 1hr 16m into the programme for the first part of the chat, discussing her age, “bucket list” – which includes visiting various countries, making pottery, and cutting a diamond – and her future…
The second part of the interview begins around 1hr 35m in – With Toyah paying tribute to Greg Lake, and talking about the Walk of Stars event, her punk days, new films, the 80s Invasion Tour and more.
• Listen to the show/interview at BBC iPlayer.
Toyah is making a festive guest appearance on Tammy Gooding’s radio show on BBC Hereford & Worcester today. The programme airs from 1pm to 4pm.
Singer Toyah Willcox: The singer and actress chats with Tammy about bucket lists and Christmas in Pershore. Plus Andrew Nash reviews the new Star Wars movie on Film Friday. Plus great music – including the ‘Top Ten From When?’
• Listen live at the BBC Hereford and Worcester website, and post-airing at BBC iPlayer.
Toyah guested on Wynne Evan’s show on BBC Radio Wales yesterday.
Toyah on Over-50’s Bucket Lists & Wynne has the Icing on the Cake: Adrenaline thrills and age-defying adventures – actress & singer Toyah Willcox on bucket-lists for the over 50s Plus How to make a Christmas cake.
• Listen to the show at BBC iPlayer (Available for the next month).
