Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Strictly Come Dancing is back for the 20th year, once again bringing joy and sparkle to homes across the nation. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Saturday 14 September.

As the nation’s favourite dance show celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promises to be extra special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

The celebrities quick stepping onto our screens this year are Chris McCausland, Jamie Borthwick, JB Gill, Montell Douglas, Nick Knowles, Tasha Ghouri, Tom Dean MBE, Toyah Willcox, Paul Merson, Pete Wicks, Punam Krishan, Sam Quek MBE, Sarah Hadland, Shayne Ward and Wynne Evans.

Toyah Willcox “It’s fabulous. Love it.”

When you got the call inviting you to take part in Strictly this year, what made you say yes?
I’ve always wanted to do it. I love the idea of dancing. I think dancing is one of the most extraordinary things about being a human being. I just love it. I think it’s the greatest way of expressing and getting in touch with your emotions. Music has always made me want to dance, so it feels very natural to have said yes to Strictly.

Describe Strictly in one word or phrase.
Uplifting.

How does it feel to be part of the momentous 20th Anniversary series?
It’s a heavy weight to carry. I want to be brilliant. I want to be my best. I’m not necessarily a dancer but I am definitely a mover. I just don’t want to ever let anyone down. It’s fabulous being part of the 20th anniversary, but also it has huge responsibility as well.

The series is 20 years old this year. What were you doing 20 years ago or what were you doing aged 20?
I was a punk rock singer. I was touring. I made the movie Jubilee, then the Tempest, then The Corn Is Green with Catherine Hepburn, then Quadrophenia. That was a huge year for me.

Do you have any stand out memories from watching the previous series?
Ann Widdecombe. I loved her strength of personality, her conviction, her self-confidence. I mean, that’s a real focus point for me. If I’m feeling I can’t do something, I just channel my inner Ann Widdecombe.

What aspects of Strictly are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to the flowing movement of dance. There are certain dances that flow like water and I’m really looking forward to that. The more frenetic stuff is going to be quite challenging, just because of my age, but I know I can do it. I move on stage still now, but the stuff that flows, that has a kind of zen about it, I’m really looking forward to.

What dance are you most looking forward to trying?
The Foxtrot. I’m very tomboyish, I’m very boisterous, and I’ve never felt feminine so I’m looking forward to doing something that makes me feel feminine.

• Continue reading at BBC Media Centre. (Photos © BBC)

Series 22, and the 20th Anniversary year, of Strictly Come Dancing gets going this evening on BBC One, with a pre-recorded launch show, before the live competition shows begin next Saturday. The tabloids are already having a field day, with tons of Toyah related press and stories, some relevant, some fun, some informative, some ridiculous… (Photos © BBC)

• BBC Strictly Come Dancing: Meet Toyah Willcox ✨ BBC Strictly 2024 – Continue…

• BBC Media Centre: Meet the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 Celebs – Continue…

• The Sun: Willpower – Eighties pop star Toyah Willcox reveals real reason she signed up for Strictly – saying ‘it’s still tough for women’: This year’s Strictly has the fewest female celebs in its history – Continue…

• Mirror: BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Toyah Willcox on why she feels pressure and ‘channelling’ past star: Strictly Come Dancing returns this weekend for its new series with the likes of singer Toyah Willcox among the celebrity contestants competing on the BBC dance contest – Continue…

• Digital Spy: Strictly star reveals why Chris McCausland is the “biggest competition” this year: “He’s staggeringly good.” – Continue…

• Mirror: Exclusive: Toyah Willcox reveals heartbreaking reason she’s desperate to perform certain Strictly dance: Legendary singer-songwriter Toyah Willcox, 66, is looking forward to everything that comes with Strictly Come Dancing – be it the intense training or learning extra skills – Continue…

• Nottingham Post: BBC Strictly contestant shared fears of ‘premature Alzheimer’s’ after worrying symptoms: The Strictly Come Dancing star has been open about her cosmetic surgery journey in the past, revealing that she’s ‘lost the ability to spell’ after having a face lift – Continue…

• Mirror: BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Toyah Willcox reveals new BBC measures to keep couples safe – Continue…

• The Sun: show safety Strictly’s Toyah Willcox reveals extreme measures BBC have taken to keep celebs and dancers safe after abuse scandal – Continue…

• The Standard: Toyah Willcox: I’ll ‘channel my inner Ann Widdecombe’ on Strictly – Continue…

• Express: BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Toyah Willcox channeling former MP ahead of debut – Continue…

• Metro: Inside Strictly star Toyah Willcox’s private life and 38-year rockstar marriage – Continue…

• Express: BBC Strictly Come Dancing Toyah Willcox felt like ‘victim’ before ‘life-changing’ surgery – Continue…

• Shropshire Star: Toyah Willcox: I’ll ‘channel my inner Ann Widdecombe’ on Strictly: The 66-year-old singer said she ‘loved’ the former Conservative MP’s ‘strength of personality’ – Continue…

• Express: Inside Toyah Willcox’s haunted home where ‘ghost strangling’ investigator caught on camera – Continue…

It’s Strictly mania – there’s news about it everywhere -probably the most anticipated series yet, for various reasons, but for Toyah fans there is just one reason to watch… All the best Toyah!

Toyah, alongside Sarah Hadland and Nick Knowles, is the cover star of today’s Weekend magazine, by the Daily Mail.

All the latest Toyah related Strictly news and press. (Photos © BBC)

• The Independent: Strictly’s Toyah Willcox: Everything you need to know about the punk-rock singer: ‘I Want to Be Free’ singer will be putting her experience from years of touring and West End performing to the test – Continue…

• The Standard: Strictly’s Toyah Willcox says show scandal has made her ‘take what’s coming very seriously’: The singer and actress says she knows exactly what she has signed up for and for her, it was a case of ‘now or never’ – Continue…

• Mirror: Toyah Willcox ‘can’t bear the thought of anyone suffering’ as she responds to Strictly allegations: Singer-songwriter Toyah Willcox, 66, is just one of six women to take part in Strictly this year – the fewest number since the series began 20 years ago – Continue…

• Daily Mail: Strictly’s Toyah Willcox, 66, says she’s ‘prepared to go above and beyond her comfort zone’ as she vows to take the show ‘very seriously’ in light of the recent bullying allegations – Continue…

• The Telegraph: Strictly abuse claims made Toyah Willcox question if she had what it takes to be on the show: A bullying row continues to dog Strictly as it prepares to launch its 22nd series with a new lineup of stars on Saturday – Continue…

• Metro: 80s icon Toyah Willcox had one big question after Strictly Come Dancing scandal – Continue…

• Daily Mail: Toyah Willcox insists scandal that has engulfed Strictly is ‘because the show is one hundred percent committed to dance’ – Continue…

• Express: Strictly’s Toyah Willcox unveils major weight loss as she ‘flies flag for pensioners’: Strictly Come Dancing star Toyah Wilcox claims she has made huge life changes ahead of her debut this Saturday on Strictly Come Dancing – Continue…

• Yahoo! News: Strictly contestants Nick Knowles and Toyah Willcox address scandal surrounding show – Continue…

• Express: BBC Strictly’s Toyah Willcox shared concerning health fears after undergoing face lift: In her book, Diary of a Facelift, Strictly Come Dancing contestant Toyah Willcox admitted that she thought she had ‘premature Alzheimer’s’ as she suffered worrying symptoms. – Continue…

• Wales Online/Yahoo! News: Strictly cast 2024 first look as new celebs don sparkles ahead of most controversial BBC series yet – Continue…

Strictly Come Dancing: BBC One: Saturday 14th September: 7.20pm
Launch Show. Series 22, episode 1. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcome 15 new celebrities to the Strictly ballroom to pair them with their professional partners, while judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke give their first thoughts on the couples. The celebrities are Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Wynne Evans, Toyah Willcox, Punam Krishan, Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Shayne Ward, Sarah Hadland, Jamie Borthwick, Tom Dean, Montell Douglas, Nick Knowles, Paul Merson and Sam Quek.

NB. Keep an eye on BBC Two’s week day It Takes Two. No doubt Toyah will be guesting on that at least once a week! Click below to visit the BBC’s official Strictly website for all the latest updates. (Photo © BBC)

“I am now fully in the joyous world of STRICTLY!”. Toyah’s blog is available to read at toyahwillcox.com. Click below for all the latest direct from Toyah, including her Strictly news!

We hope you’re ready, because in 10 days Toyah headlines Strictly… (Images © BBC)

The latest online press related to Toyah on Strictly. (Images © BBC/Toyah Willcox)

• Independent: Strictly Come Dancing full line up 2024: Celebrity contestants revealed include Paul Merson and Toyah Willcox: A comedian, a JLS star and DIY SOS presenter are among those who have been announced – Continue…

• The Guardian: Strictly Come Dancing 2024: the contestants – ranked! – Continue…

• BBC One: Meet our class of 2024! Fifteen new celebrities ready to take to the floor – Continue…

• Daily Star: New Strictly star Toyah Willcox thinks we’re all made of ‘space dust’ and slept in a coffin
Toyah Willcox has been confirmed as one of the entrants for the new series of BBC hit Strictly Come Dancing but the punk rocker has some pretty out there views… – Continue…

• Evesham Journal: Strictly Come Dancing’s full line up confirmed for 2024 – Continue…

• Oh My Mag: Strictly’s Toyah Willcox and husband Robert Fripp: Everything we know about their 38-year-long marriage: Toyah Willcox, the iconic 1980s pop star and actress, has been married for over 30 years. And the secret to her long-lasting marriage is not what you’d expect – Continue…

There’s been a plethora of online – and offline – news and press on the cast announcement for the 22nd series – and 20th anniversary year – for Strictly Come Dancing, with Toyah’s inclusion reported widely.. Here is as much as I spotted, which I think is pretty much everything… so far! (All photos/images © BBC)

• Official Toyah: Toyah confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 – Continue…

• BBC Strictly Instagram: Celebrities Revealed 2024: It’s no mystery! Actress and 80s icon Toyah is taking to the Strictly dance floor – Continue…

• BBC Radio 2 Instagram: Another Strictly contestant reveals themself! – Continue…

• Daily Mail: Strictly Come Dancing confirms singers Toyah Willcox and Wynne Evans and a surprise BBC name for the 2024 series – Continue…

• The Standard: Toyah Willcox and Wynne Evans announced as the next contestants for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 – Continue…

• Mirror: BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s latest contestant is Toyah Willcox as fifth star confirmed for new series – Continue…

• The Sun: Pop Legend Announced: Toyah’s Tango Who is Toyah Willcox and when is the singer, actress, and TV presenter appearing on Strictly Come Dancing? – Continue…

• Metro: Chart Topper Who Hasn’t Aged A Day Announced For Strictly: 80s legend Toyah Willcox revealed concerns about Strictly before joining cast – Continue…

• The Telegraph: Tenor Wynne Evans, singer Toyah Willcox and TV doctor Punam Krishan join Strictly Come Dancing – Continue…

• Virgin Radio: Strictly Come Dancing 2024 confirms 80s legend as fourth celebrity contestant – Continue…

• Cherry Red: Strictly Danced!: Toyah Willcox has been announced as a celebrity contestant confirmed for the new series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing – Continue…

• Rayo: Toyah Willcox confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing: Five celebs have now been announced! – Continue…

• BBC Strictly TikTok: It’s No Mystery – Continue…

• STV News: Wynne Evans, Toyah Willcox and Punam Krishan join Strictly 2024 line-up – Continue…

• Digital Spy: Strictly 2024 confirms ’80s rock star in lineup: “I’m here for every sparkly second.” – Continue…

• Classic Pop: Toyah joins Strictly Come Dancing – Continue…

• Shropshire Star: Wynne Evans, Toyah Willcox and Punam Krishan join Strictly 2024 line-up – Continue…

• TV Zone: Toyah Willcox Confirmed For Strictly Come Dancing: Toyah Willcox is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing – Continue…

• Daily Mail: Strictly Come Dancing contestant Toyah Willcox is seen attending rehearsals with JLS star JB Gill for the first time – Continue…

• Birmingham Live: BBC Strictly Come Dancing announce 80s icon as fourth star for new series – Continue…

• Entertainment Focus: Toyah Willcox is heading to the ballroom for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2024 – Continue…

• Yahoo! News: How Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp’s kitchen videos beat lockdown boredom: The 66-year-old music sensation has joined the next edition of Strictly Come Dancing – Continue…

• Daily Star: Strictly newbie Toyah Willcox, 66, ended up on adult site after saucy dancing videos: Beloved 80s rocker Toyah Willcox sent fans wild when it was announced that she was the fourth celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up later on this year – Continue…

• Female First: Strictly Come Dancing announces three new stars with Wynne Evans, Toyah and more – Continue…

• Bet365: Strictly Come Dancing 2024 Odds: Tasha Ghouri and Shayne Ward amongst favourites – Continue…

• Birmingham Live: BBC Strictly Come Dancing star’s hidden health condition that made children ‘laugh’ – Continue…

• Mirror: Strictly Come Dancing star’s rich list laid bare – Continue…

• AOL: How Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp’s kitchen videos beat lockdown boredom – Continue…

• Daily Mail: Strictly newcomer Toyah Willcox, 66, became a viral sensation with her VERY risqué videos after they landed on a porn website – with racy clips showing the rocker clad in a French maid’s outfit and a sheer wet T-shirt – Continue…

• Gold Radio: Toyah Willcox facts: Songs, films, husband and career of the new wave icon explained – Continue…

Toyah Willcox is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2024

The singer and actress will take to the floor when Strictly returns in autumn 2024

Wow Strictly Come Dancing, can you believe it! This is going to be a wild and wonderful ride, and I’m here for every sparkly second. I’m used to performing for big crowds but this is completely fresh for me, how I will do, it’s a mystery… I just want to get cracking and learn some dance routines now!
— Toyah Willcox

Toyah Willcox is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this Autumn. As Strictly celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promises to be extra special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

Toyah Willcox is a singer and actress.

Toyah Willcox has been performing across stage and screen for over 50 years. She is an award-winning rock legend with hit singles like It’s A Mystery, I Want to Be Free and Brave New World and played at this year’s Glastonbury Festival with her husband, Robert Fripp. She has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty-five albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays, acted in over twenty feature films and presented many television programmes. In 2018 Paul McCartney awarded Toyah a Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Companionship for Outstanding Achievement in music, drama, performance and media.

• Continue reading at BBC Media Centre.

Toyah Willcox confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up

The news was announced on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show.

Toyah Willcox has been confirmed to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up.

Willcox was the fourth contestant to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2024, following news that opera singer Wynne Evans, comedian Chris McCausland and JLS singer JB Gill would be competing in this year’s edition.

She rose to the fame as the frontwoman of new wave band Toyah, where her most popular singles included It’s a Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want to Be Free.

Willcox has performed as a solo artist since her 1985 album Minx, with her latest release being 2021’s Posh Pop, which was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic and reached number one on the UK’s Independent Albums Chart.

After Toyah and Wynne were announced on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show this morning, Dr Punam Krishnan was also revealed to be joining the line-up, making the TV doctor the fifth celebrity to be confirmed.

• Continue reading at Radio Times.

Toyah Willcox joins Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up

The latest star to join the 2024 ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ line-up is ’80s pop icon Toyah Willcox.
Having enjoyed a decades-spanning career, during which she’s racked up 13 UK Top 40 hits and this year played at Glastonbury with her husband Robert Fripp, the singer-songwriter joins this year’s cohort of celebrities competing on the BBC One show.

“I’m used to performing for big crowds but this is completely fresh for me, how I will do, it’s a mystery… I just want to get cracking and learn some dance routines now,” she said.

Her participation was announced on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 morning show on Tuesday (August 6), with classical singer and face of the Go Compare ads Wynne Evans, and TV Dr Punam Krishan, also confirmed.

• Continue reading at Retropop.

Strictly star Toyah Willcox has a very famous husband – all you need to know

The ‘It’s a Mystery’ songstress was announced as a contestant for Strictly’s 22nd series

• Continue reading at Hello! Magazine.

Strictly – arguably the UK’s biggest TV show of every year in the ratings – yesterday began announcing the confirmed celebrities participating in their 2024 series, which is also the 20th anniversary year for the show, with Toyah announced as the second competitor taking part. As of today there have been six celebrities confirmed so far.

Over the past 24 hours I’ve spotted dozens of online press reports on the Toyah announcement – Stay tuned for more Strictly Come Dancing 2024 updates over the coming days & weeks. See toyahwillcox.com’s Toyah Confirmed For Strictly…

These Are All The Celebrities Who’ve Been Rumoured For Strictly Come Dancing 2024 So Far

Stars from across the world of TV, sport, music and beyond have already been tipped to be taking part this year.

With the summer only just starting to get underway, it might seem like the new series of Strictly Come Dancing is still aaaaages away – but we’re actually only just over a month away from the first of this year’s celebrities being revealed. In the past few weeks, rumours have been coming in thick and fast about which stars will be getting their dancing shoes on for a very special series of Strictly, commemorating 20 years since the show first began airing on BBC One.

Celebrities from across the world of TV, sport, music and beyond have already being tipped to be in the pipeline, ahead of the first announcements in August. So, to get you in the Strictly spirit, here are all the rumours about the 2024 line-up that have been reported so far…

Toyah Willcox: In June, The Sun reported that British music legend Toyah Wilcox had signed up for Strictly, after being impressed by her friend and colleague Angela Rippon’s performance a year earlier.

She previously joked to The Mirror: “I’d have to do it sooner rather than later, because I’m not gonna be able to move. I do understand how hard they work. I’m friends with Angela Rippon and she was extraordinary,” she continued. “But they’re rehearsing 10 hours a day every day. And then on Saturday, they do two shows.”

She added: “If I’m going to do it, it’s gonna have to happen within the next few years because I don’t think I’ll be able to move like that in two years’ time. But, you know, the whole world wants to do Strictly, I wouldn’t say no.”

• Continue reading at the Huff Post. See also Yahoo! News.

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!

Exclusive: Toyah Willcox looks set for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 thanks to famous pal

Punk icon Toyah Willcox has teased she is up for joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing lineup following her pal Angela Rippon’s success but she has one condition

Toyah Willcox has shared her hopes to take part in Strictly Come Dancing

Toyah Willcox has thrown her name into the mix to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The punk icon, 65, declared she’d love to take part in the BBC dance competition following the success of her close friend Angela Rippon. Journalist and presenter Angela, 79, competed in last year’s series as she was partnered with Kai Widdrington and became the series’ oldest contestant.

Toyah exclusively told The Mirror she would like to follow in Angela’s footsteps, but admitted she wants to do it “sooner rather than later”. It comes after rumours are already swirling over who could be taking part in this year’s Strictly. The singer has been facing calls to take part in the show for years, having recently impressed fans with her moves during her social media videos alongside husband Robert Fripp.

When asked by The Mirror if she would be up for taking part, Toyah said: “Oh, God yeah. Well, I’d have to do it sooner rather than later, because I’m not gonna be able to move. I do understand how hard they work. I’m friends with Angela Rippon and she was extraordinary.”

• Continue reading at The Mirror.

Strictly Come Dancing 2020 line-up: All the rumours and potential contestants

Here are our predictions for series 18…

The BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing is officially coming back, with the 2020 series now confirmed although for a much shorter run.

Strictly will reportedly begin in October, which means this year’s event could be nine weeks instead of the usual 13. With many shows having to cancel production, due to the coronavirus, we couldn’t be happier that Strictly is still going ahead.

Toyah Willcox: Toyah has been using the lockdown time as a chance to practice her dancing skills.

The musician and her husband pranced around their kitchen to Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock, and while they certainly cheered everyone up, many thought she should consider a stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

One fan shared: “Next stop Strictly Come Dancing 2020!” Another added: “I hope Strictly haven’t finalised their line-up for this year…”

• Continue reading at the Radio Times. Read an earlier RT “Toyah for Strictly 2020!” here.