Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

BBC Media Centre released details of the BBC’s Christmas 2018 TV schedule today – A bumper box of festive treats to enthrall and enchant audiences across the BBC this Christmas season.

Fleetwood Mac: A Musical History
Fellow musicians, journalists and fans celebrate Fleetwood Mac with a selection of their best loved songs.

Fleetwood Mac are the great survivors of British and American rock music. For more than fifty years they’ve overcome break-ups and breakdowns to become one of the most successful bands of all time. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide, with their 1977 smash Rumours accounting for nearly half of those sales.

They have endured, like all great bands, because of the complimentary talents of their members. From Peter Green to Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, the band has contained some extraordinary songwriters. With brilliant musicians on all instruments, they have been able to turn the songs into commercial gold. Above all, the tough determination of the two men who gave the band their name has seen Fleetwood Mac through thick and thin.

Celebrity fans paying tribute to the band in this hit-filled hour include KT Tunstall, Travis frontman Fran Healy, Edith Bowman, Toyah Willcox, Alan McGee, Sian Pattenden and Emma Dabiri.

• Continue reading at BBC Media Centre.

The Pointless Celebrities website has updated the page for next weekend’s quiz show with a great photo of Toyah and, her quiz partner, Sonique. The programme airs next Saturday, 24th November, at 6pm on BBC1. Click below to visit the page at bbc.co.uk. (Photo © BBC)

This morning’s Jeremy Vine show is now available to watch on demand at My5. Toyah guested on the two-hour programme, which gave viewers the sublime (Sheep Farming in Barnet, Neon Womb) and the ridiculous (Brexit, Donald Trump). Click on the screenshots to watch the show. It’s likely to be UK only unfortunately. Click here for larger versions of the screenshots.

Toyah will guest in one of the Christmas episodes of Celebrity Mastermind this forthcoming festive season on BBC1. She previously appeared on the long running quiz show in December 2009 – Screen caps from that guest appearance below.

• News Source – Toyah’s November 2018 Blog – Click on the caps to read.

Toyah briefly appeared on yesterday morning’s Lorraine, on ITV, in their feature on keeping pets and animals safe during the fireworks and noise of November 5th.

Toyah asked how to ensure smaller pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs etc. are protected and looked after. The reply was, ensure they are indoors and shielded from as much noise as possible. (Thanks to Paul)

As previously reported, Toyah guested on Celebrity Eggheads on BBC2 yesterday evening. Watch the 45-minute episode for the next four weeks at BBC iPlayer. See larger versions of the screen caps from the programme by clicking on them.

Jeremy Vine hosts a special celebrity edition of the show where every day, a new team of challengers take on arguably the greatest quiz team in Britain – the Eggheads. Can a team from the world of arts and entertainment, featuring actor Simon Greenall, singer Toyah Willcox, arts correspondent Nick Higham, award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown and Proms presenter Katie Derham, triumph over the general knowledge goliaths and win the cash prize for their charity?

A reminder that the Video Killed The Radio Star Toyah Special premieres tonight on Sky Arts at 8.30pm. There’s also a repeat next Tuesday.

Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Friday 3rd August: 8.30pm
Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Tuesday 7th August: 7.30pm
Toyah Willcox. (Series 7, Episode 6) A look back at the most memorable music videos of Toyah Willcox, who has had eight Top 40 singles over the last four decades.

Toyah mentioned last August that she was filming for Sky Arts. This was for an episode of Video Killed The Radio Star focusing on the making/creation of her 80s pop videos. The programme airs at the beginning of next month on Sky Arts.

Video Killed the Radio Star reveals the genius, madness, excesses and ideas behind some of music’s most famous videos.

Featuring interviews with iconic bands and artists, directors, cameramen and others involved in the creative process of making the ultimate pop promo.

Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Friday 3rd August: 8.30pm
Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Tuesday 7th August: 7.30pm
Toyah Willcox. (Series 7, Episode 6) A look back at the most memorable music videos of Toyah Willcox, who has had eight Top 40 singles over the last four decades.

Toyah is currently voicing continuity on BBC Four’s Smashing Hits! The 80s Pop Map of Britain and Ireland. The final part of the three-episode series airs this Friday at 10pm, with a repeat late night Saturday. The first two episodes are currently available at BBC iPlayer.

Smashing Hits! The 80s Pop Map of Britain and Ireland: BBC4: Fri 20th July: 10pm
Smashing Hits! The 80s Pop Map of Britain and Ireland: BBC4: Sun 22nd July: 0.00am
Two 80s icons explore the distinct sounds that came out of different parts of Britain and Ireland in one of pop’s golden decades. Midge Ure, lead singer of Ultravox and one of the men behind Band Aid, and Kim Appleby, who had a string of hits with her sister Mel in the Stock, Aitken and Waterman-produced band Mel and Kim, go on a journey back in time to the 80s to figure out why certain cities produced their own diverse tunes.

• Further info/Watch the episodes at BBC iPlayer.

• The Big NHS Singalong Live: Toyah is taking part in this celebration of 70 years of the NHS! – On Wednesday 4th July we will celebrate 70 years of the NHS as talented ​NHS staff, famous faces and people right across the country come together to sing a special version of The Beatles classic ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ live on ITV’s one off televised event – The Big NHS Singalong Live – Continue reading…

• Toyah @ Twitter: “Joining The Big NHS Singalong Live at Abbey Rd Studios tonight for ITV 9pm ….. let’s break that world record! Good Luck all” – Continue reading…

• Vulture Hound: ‘As long as the music’s loud enough..’ – Jubilee (Film Review): Punk rebellion combined with the juxtaposition of royal mystical ambience is what makes this film rather strange yet special at the same time. Derek Jarman depicts a rather fantastical manic portrayal which harmoniously emphasises the dramatic change of youth movement within the 1970’s era of Britain – Continue reading…

• Worcester News: One Week to go until Worcester Stands Tall Launch: Final preparations are under way for the launch of an art trail that will see 30 giraffes placed around Worcester – The large sculptures have been decorated by artists both from the local area and across the UK, while one is designed by singer and actress Toyah Willcox – Continue reading…

• Wild In Art: Celebrated singer designs giraffe for trail: Artwork designed by celebrated singer and actress Toyah Willcox has been used to decorate a giraffe sculpture for the Worcester Stands Tall trail. The prolific performer, whose career has spanned more than 40 years, themed her design around the idea of ‘making a wish’ – with the Giraffe covered in stars, animals and children – (Photo © Worcester Stands Tall) Continue reading…

• Beacon: Relive the Good Times – Jack Up The 80s: This year’s Jack Up The 80s takes place on August 11th and 12th at Smallbrook Stadium, Ryde. The stellar line up includes Grammy award-winning music legend Leo Sayer, soul sensations Shalamar, British pop rock group T’Pau, punk princess Toyah Willcox, Jaki Graham, an exclusive DJ set from Martin Kemp, the one and only Chesney Hawkes, Brother Beyond and many more – Continue reading…

Pointless host Richard Osman stunned by player’s shock admission: ‘Did I hear that right?’

Pointless hosts Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman were so taken aback by a contestant’s admission on the BBC programme, they had to ask her to explain herself.

Toyah Willcox was appearing on a music celebrities special of the BBC quiz when the moment unfolded. Just before it was Toyah’s turn to tackle the first question on Pointless, Alexander asked her how she got her big break. However, in doing so she make a surprise revelation that stunned both Alexander and Richard.

“Now Toyah, when did it all start for you, the showbiz career?”

Toyah, 60, explained: “I started at the age of 18. I was in a play with Noel Edmonds on BBC Two and then I was invited to join the National Theatre. But my singing started when I was at the National Theatre.”

• Continue reading at The Express.

Watch Friday night’s mammoth three-hour 30th Anniversary edition of The Old Grey Whistle Test at BBC iPlayer. A fantastic retrospective programme packed with great music, interviews and memories – Catch Toyah’s appearance, alongside Chris Difford, at approximately 2hrs 22m in.

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: BBC4: Tuesday 6h March: 1.30am
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.

‘It’s going to be a huge reunion’: Bob Harris reveals live line-up for Old Grey Whistle Test

BBC Music is reviving The Old Grey Whistle Test for a one-off live special at 9pm tonight (February 23) on BBC Four. The revival marks 30 years since the legendary music TV show ended – it ran from 1971 to 1988 – and former host Bob Harris will be back at the helm.

Harris presented the show with that famous “whispering” delivery from 1972-78 and his spell included UK TV firsts including the performance from Bob Marley & The Wailers. Forty-six years since he first hosted, Harris will be back for the live three-hour special, which has generated huge excitement among music fans of a certain age.

“I know, it feels very exciting at this end too – the interest has been absolutely incredible,” the Radio 2 presenter told Music Week.

• Continue reading at Music Week. NB: Toyah will feature in a live interview having just come off stage from a performance of Jubilee at Lyric Hammersmith – Further info at toyahwillcox.com.

“40 years since Toyah starred in the cult punk film ‘Jubilee’, she’s back in a new stage version“. Watch a short clip of Toyah discussing Jubilee at BBC Breakfast‘s Twitter.

Toyah has recently been filming a new programme for Sky Arts, with Scott Millaney and Brian Grant, who produced some of her early 80’s promo videos. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Toyah guested on The Wright Stuff this morning, on Channel 5. Here’s a short clip from the appearance, uploaded to the programme’s You Tube channel earlier today.

• The Comeback: The original Pop Quiz returned to the BBC last night with a great episode.

• Bring it Back!: Reaction to the first of two new episodes has been overwhelmingly positive, with some already calling for a full series. There’s also been a a number of press reports on the revival.

• ITV/Good Morning Britain: Mike Read and the pop quiz comeback: Mike Read was live in the studio this morning talking about bringing back his iconic Pop Quiz with a host of 80s pop stars. Mike looked back on his 40-year career as a DJ on Radio 1, host of the 1980s Saturday morning children’s show Saturday Superstore and the original 1980s music panel game Pop Quiz which he’s bringing back – Continue reading…

• Classic Pop Magazine: Toyah thought last night’s Pop Quiz was a whole heap of fun. Hopefully BBC Four will commission a full series – Continue reading…

• Scottish Daily Mail: Music Show Revived: Pop Quiz – The Comeback, 9.30pm, BBC4: The delight of Mike Read’s Eighties series was that it brought together so many famous musicians who loved talking about music. The delight is intact for this revival, for which Read returns as host along with former conteestants Toyah Willcox, Nick Heyward and Cheryl Baker.

• BBC Four: Episode One is repeated tomorrow night, late – at 1.05am on BBC Four…

• Pop Quizzing at Dreamscape: Browse all of our news on PQ here…

Screen captures from last night’s Pop Quiz – The Comeback. Click below to view larger.

BBC Four were tweeting a-plenty last night about Pop Quiz – The Comeback airing, including a couple of retro images of Toyah from previous Pop Quiz guest appearances (in 1981 and 1984).

Review: a blissfully self-indulgent chance to reminisce for pop-pickers of a certain vintage

Who got a lifetime ban from a Manchester hotel for swinging from a chandelier and stealing a zebra? Ginger diva Toyah Willcox. Who bought an Austin A40 convertible so she could poke her beehive hair out of the roof? Jazz chanteuse Mari Wilson. What did this pair have in common? They were both on Pop Quiz: The Comeback (BBC Four), a revival of the retro gameshow which pitted two teams of Eighties pop stars against each other for no apparent reason other than festive fun.

• Continue reading at The Telegraph.