Dreamscape | The Toyah Willcox Fansite

Britain’s Favourite Christmas Carol
Channel 5, 6.50pm, Saturday
Countdown shows have fallen somewhat out of fashion since their 1990s heyday, but nobody has ever accused Channel 5 of being ahead of the curve. They’re continuing to resurrect the Saturday schedule-filler with this 90-minute injection of very light entertainment. Feel free to dip in and out of this countdown of the nation’s 20 best-loved Christmas carols that unspools in the usual fashion, by deploying famous(ish) faces to provide humorous or revealing commentary in between clips.

Those expressing their thoughts on Ding Dong Merrily on High et al include Toyah Willcox, radio presenter Katie Thistleton and DJ Pat Sharpe. But what may elevate this special is the addition of musical and historical experts – including Rev Canon Ann Easter, Chaplain to the Queen (no less) – to describe the musical innovations that make particular carols appealing, and to share surprising stories behind some of the classics.

Performances will come both from a raid on the television archives for memorable clips and from choirs nationwide. Of course, television countdowns are no more scientific than a poll of your friends at the pub, but this piece of televisual tinsel should at least put you in a festive mood.

Christmas 1982, Toyah covers a 70’s Christmas classic! The build up to Christmas wouldn’t be complete at Dreamscape without this… I think I’ve mentioned I Believe in Father Christmas every December for the last 20 years, so here we go again…

Toyah covers the Greg Lake 1975 classic (which also features Robert Fripp, Toyah confirmed a few years ago on Toyah’s Christmas at the Zoo) for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982. She sounds great, looks amazing and Keith Hale and Joel Bogen are having a right old festive time in the forest of lit up trees. Bravo!

Britain’s Favourite Christmas Carol: Saturday 21st December: Channel 5: 6.50pm
A countdown of the nation’s most beloved carols, as voted for by the British public. A cast of famous faces guide viewers through the results, giving their take on some of the most enduring songs ever written. In between the notes, a team of experts reveal the musical tricks, hidden histories and surprising stories behind these classic carols. Plus, a cast of community and professional choirs from across the UK perform the carols, alongside beloved performances from the TV archives.

Christmas 2019, and only 6 days until Christmas Day, why not download some, Christmas/festive-related, Toyah music/releases to help make the rest of the countdown more melodic.

1. I Believe In Father Christmas; Toyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the Mayhem compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD Live & More. At Christmas 2012 it was released as a digital single. Download at iTunes. 2.Winter In Wonderland; One year on and at Christmas 2013 there was another new digital single, make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes. 3. Has God Ceased To Dream You; Toyah released this four-song EP in December 2014 as a companion piece to the recently digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.

Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: Friday 20th December: 0.00am
Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: New Year’s Day: 10pm
Celebrity fans and cast members come together to shed light on the making of Quadrophenia and explore the legacy that the cult film has left behind, 40 years after its release. (Photo © Sky Arts)

Christmas 2008, Good Times magazine – published in the US – named In The Court Of The Crimson Queen their “CD Of The Year”.

I must devote some space to what is, for me, the event of the year, a new CD, “In The Court Of The Crimson Queen” by UK pop/rock icon Toyah. She’s been married to King Crimson founder/guitarist Robert Fripp since 1985, and the CD title is a play on Crimson’s ‘Court Of the Crimson King”, a late 60s timepiece. Let’s take a look, track by track.

• Read the full review, by Jimi LaLumia, here.

Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Monday 30th December: 11pm
Pop legend Toyah brings 30 memorable videos featuring a cavalcade of clothing calamities from superstars including Bowie, Madonna, Adam Ant and many more in this crazy countdown!

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 after Toyah left Safari Records after five years and she signed to the CBS/Portrait Records.

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.

Invasion Planet Earth is now available to buy as a download across all digital platforms, including Sky Store, Amazon, iTunes, Virgin Media. The DVD is released on 30th December.

Christmas 2018, Toyah became a Mastermind! She won Episode Two of Series 17 of Celebrity Mastermind, which aired on BBC1 on Saturday 22nd December.

John Humphrys puts four celebrities to the test in another episode of the classic quiz. Taking part are comedian Joe Pasquale, Newsround presenter Ricky Boleto, singer Toyah Willcox and Olympian Jeanette Kwakye. They answer questions on werewolf films, 1990s number one singles, Boudica and Disney animations.

The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Boxing Day: 12pm
Part Two, 50 – 1. Denise Van Outen concludes the rundown of viewers’ favourite musicals, counting down from 50 to number one. Featuring interviews with stars including Scott Baio (Bugsy Malone), Lee Curreri (Fame), Ron Moody (Oliver!) and Susan Sarandon (The Rocky Horror Picture Show), as well as directors, writers and producers including Randal Kleiser (Grease), Rob Marshall (Chicago), Alan Parker (Evita, Fame and Bugsy Malone) and Cameron Mackintosh and Willy Russell (Blood Brothers). Plus, Omar Sharif, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Claire Sweeney, Jonathan Wilkes and Miss Piggy are among the contributors who reveal the impact these musicals have had on their lives. Also airing on More4 +1 and HD.

Christmas 1996, Toyah contributed a thoughtful festive recollection of Christmas Times past to the charity publication Once Upon A Christmas (Memories and Recipes From Your Favourite Celebrities). This book is now long out of print and unavailable.

In this delightful Christmas book, a host of our most popular and well-known celebrities from all walks of life have contributed stories, memories, recipes and thoughts about Christmas to make this the most irresistible festive anthology there is… Once Upon A Christmas will help to put – and keep – you in the Christmas spirit.

Toyah Willcox: Broadcaster and Singer

Childhood Christmasses were the most magical. It was the appearance of the Christmas tree that cued two weeks of sheer all-encompassing joy. I’m talking about being four years old. Just able to talk but unable to comprehend the hidden meanings of the words of wisdom from the giants, the adults…

• Continue reading Toyah’s Once Upon A Christmas contribution at Dreamscape’s Press Archive.

Check out Toyah’s, already bursting full, Gig Diary for 2020 – There are concerts, tours, festivals, film screenings and much more to follow in the forthcoming weeks and months…

Christmas 1982, Happy Christmas From The Stars, a “Free Christmas Record (12 Minutes of Festive Fun)”, was attached to the December 9-22, 1982 issue of Smash Hits magazine. The festive flexi-disc featured numerous pop stars – Abba, ABC, Adam Ant, Bananarama, Bucks Fizz, Captain Sensible, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Funboy Three, Haircut 100, Imagination, The Jam, Madness, Mari Wilson, Musical Youth, The Piranahs, The Police, Steve Strange, Toyah, Ultravox – sending readers Christmas greetings, messages and Yuletide tunes.

Click below to listen – Toyah arrives at the Christmas 1982 Pop Star Party at 4.46, in-between Martin Fry of ABC and Steve Strange of Visage. Too-de-loo!! Part One is available here.

A Musical History: BBC4: Friday 27th December: 11pm
Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac fan Edith Bowman provides a narrative overview alongside other celebrity fans who all pay tribute to the band in this hit-filled hour. Contributors include KT Tunstall, Travis’ frontman Fran Healy, Toyah Willcox, Sian Pattenden and Emma Dabiri.

Christmas 2019, Toyah rounded off an incredibly busy year of live concerts by playing the three-date Let’s Rock – The Retro Winter Tour. A festive extravaganza which played three arenas; Motorpoint in Nottingham (29th November), The SSE Hydro in Glasgow (11th December) and Wembley Arena in London (tonight, 13th December).

The tour also featured Tony Hadley, Marc Almond, ABC, Jimmy Somerville, Nik Kershaw, Boney M, Altered Images, Toyah, Sonia, Annabella Lwin, Peter Coyle, Dr & The Medics.

Here’s the Let’s Rock Winter promo image and photos of Toyah ready to hit the stage at Motorpoint, Nottingham and the Crimson Queen with Clare Grogan at Glasgow’s Hydro. (Photos © Toyah Willcox/Clare Grogan)

Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: 5Star: Boxing Day: 1.40am
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: 5Star: Monday 30th December: 1.35am
A merry romp through the most inappropriate, outrageous and appallingly atrocious Christmas television turkeys of all time. These are the kind of disastrous, ill-conceived and downright cringe-inducing moments that it’s a wonder ever made it to air. Among contributors ready to dissect the disasters – many of which they were involved in themselves – are Eamonn Holmes, Toyah Willcox, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Anne Diamond, Steve Punt and Mike Read.

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

Toyah’s Vintage Christmas was a constant that Christmas, airing numerous times in December, with Toyah introducing festive pop videos and sharing seasonal trivia. The programme was repeated in subsequent years, and Toyah would go on to present other Christmas shows right through until Vintage TV – still sadly missed – closed in 2017.

The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Christmas Day: 11.30am
Part One, 100 – 51. Denise Van Outen presents the first in a two-part rundown of the 100 best musicals as voted for by viewers, featuring 42nd Street, 8 Mile and The Sound of Music. The first show counts down from 100 to 51 and features memorable clips from film, stage and TV, interspersed with interviews given by performers, directors, writers and choreographers. Also airing on More4 +1 and HD.

Christmas 2018, Toyah was pictured at The Birmingham Old Rep Theatre’s Christmas Gift Guide.

Santa and his Elves have been working very hard with The Old Rep team over the past few weeks spreading the Christmas cheer with Pinocchio. And with only two weeks to go until Christmas, we have some amazing gift ideas. There really is something for everyone!

Name a seat at The Old Rep
Naming a seat at The Old Rep is the perfect Christmas gift. For just £150 for 5 years you will play a role in securing the future of the theatre and help us continue creating opportunities for young people and emerging artists.

Each plaque featured in our auditorium is unique and inscribed with a personal message. Your plaque will be installed amongst our patrons Brian Cox, Brian Blessed, Toyah Willcox, June Brown and Albert Finney. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Greatest Christmas TV Moments: Channel 5:
Sunday 15th December: 11.05pm
Countdown of 50 festive crackers past and present, including classic soap moments, dramatic endings, sitcom specials, comedy sketches and light entertainment highlights that have made the television set the focus of the holiday season for decades. Highlights include famous couples Den and Angie, Jack and Vera, and Gavin & Stacey; popular double acts Morecambe and Wise, the Trotter brothers and Wallace and Gromit; Doctor Who meeting Kylie Minogue; perennial music show Top of the Pops; and the ultimate irony of sitting down to watch the Royle Family sit down to watch TV for an hour. All small-screen life is here – with jingle bells on. Featuring interviews with cast, crew and assorted celebrity contributors. (This features a short appearance by Toyah, talking about The Gruffalo and Robbie Coltrane)