Britain’s Favourite Songs – 1992: Channel 5: Friday 9th February: 3am
1992. Series 1, episode 3. A selection of the year’s most memorable videos from acts including Erasure, George Michael, Take That, Kylie Minogue, Shakespears Sister, Shanice Wilson, U2, Snap, Tasmin Archer, Charles & Eddie, Jimmy Nail, Crowded House, Whitney Houston, Nirvana and Tori Amos. With commentary from a host of industry figures including Mark Radcliffe, Toyah Willcox, Andrew Collins, Nina Myskow and Bez.
Britain’s Favourite Songs – 1991: Channel 5: Thursday 8th February: 3am
1991. Series 1, episode 2. A selection of the year’s most memorable videos, from George Michael and Seal to REM and U2. Chesney Hawkes recalls the experience of filming his chart-topper The One and Only, Kate Pierson of the B-52’s reminisces about working with REM on Shiny Happy People, and Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, discusses meeting Michael Jackson to record Do the Bartman. Plus, Beverley Craven, Candi Staton, Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant, Katie Puckrik and Nina Myskow reflect on the year’s videos.
Favourite Singers With Nick Heyward: NOW 80s: Tuesday 6th February: 8am
Mr Favourite Shirts is back on NOW 80s – this time he selects his Favourite Singers! Including some who influenced him the most such as David Byrne & XTC’s Andy Partridge.
Portrait Artist Of The Year: Sky Arts: Sunday 4th February: 5.30pm
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.
Way Back When! 1981: NOW 80s: Saturday 27th January: 11pm
60 minutes of lesser heard hits from 1981. Including The Pretenders, Spandau Ballet, George Harrison, Toyah & The Pointer Sisters.
Greatest 80s Songs: Channel 5: Sunday 21st January: 3am
1980. Episode 1. Gary Davies narrates this look at the music of 1980, featuring revealing interviews with the singers and band members who made it one of the biggest years in pop. From the Specials and the Jam to Blondie and Bowie, and not forgetting the biggest girl band of the time – the Nolans, it was a year of music and pop videos to remember. Sheena Easton was singing about her man working 9 to 5, Madness stormed the charts with Baggy Trousers and Dexy’s Midnight Runners had a memorable number one with Geno. Contributors include Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Katie Puckrik.
Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Wednesday 17th January: 11pm
Pop legend Toyah brings 30 memorable videos featuring a cavalcade of clothing calamities from superstars including Visage, Five Star, Divine, Cher, The Jam, Bananarama, Dead Or Alive, Bucks Fizz, ABC, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Madonna, Adam & The Ants, A Flock Of Seagulls, Roxy Music, Kajagoogoo, Duran Duran, Grace Jones, Su Pollard, Toyah herself and more in this crazy countdown! See the full Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30 playlist here.
Celebrity Cathphrase: ITV2: Monday 22nd January: 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.
Greatest 80s Songs: Channel 5: Thursday 18th January: 3am
1986. Series 1, episode 7. Tony Blackburn narrates this study of 1986 pop hits, with series regulars Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Cheryl Baker joined by Sam Fox. Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer, Sinitta’s So Macho, Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus, and the Bangles’ Walk Like an Egyptian are some of the tracks being discussed.
Greatest 80s Songs: Channel 5: Wednesday 17th January: 3.20am
1988. Series 1, episode 9. Jenny Powell narrates this look back at 1988, when Bros, Belinda Carlisle and Bomb the Bass were riding high in the charts, and Kylie Minogue went from soap icon to pop star. Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Sam Fox add their thoughts on the year when Fairground Attraction had a Perfect hit, the Hollies were back in the charts, and Yazz and the Plastic Population breathed new life into 1980 song The Only Way Is Up.
Greatest 80s Songs: Channel 5: Tuesday 16th January: 3am
1987. Series 1, episode 8. Simon Bates narrates this look back at 1987, when George Michael, Madonna, and Pet Shop Boys stormed the Top 40. Series regulars Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Jenny Powell are joined by Carol Decker, who reflects on the era that her band, T’Pau, finally made their breakthrough. It was also a time when Rick Astley, the Firm, Mel & Kim, and Bruce Willis had their share of chart success.
Inheritance Tracks: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Tuesday 9th January: 8.50pm
Toyah Willcox. Singer Toyah Willcox has inherited ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and wants to pass on the track by Bjork, ‘Human Behaviour’.
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s: Saturday 6th January: 10pm
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video)
Celebrity Cathphrase: ITV: Friday 5th January: 2pm
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.
