Exciting! Mari Wilson, Leee John, Tom Bailey, Steve Norman, Andy McCluskey and Toyah from yesterday’s recording of Pop Quiz, with original BBC host Mike Read. See Toyah’s tweet/photo. The programme airs on December 28th. (Photo © Mari Wilson)
Did they REALLY do panto? Oh yes, they did! How The Beatles, Ant and Dec, Joanna Lumley and a host of other stars couldn’t resist the lure of the stage.
Oh, no it isn’t! Oh, yes it is! Even the biggest showbusiness stars have not been able to resist the lure of pantomime over the years — and that includes The Beatles at the height of their fame in 1963. From Ant and Dec to Sir Elton John, from Frank Bruno to Sir Cliff Richard, everyone loves dressing up in colourful daft costumes and telling corny jokes at Christmas…
Flying Tonight: How did Toyah Willcox end up as Peter Pan in 1993? It’s a mystery.
• Continue reading at the Daily Mail.
Broadcast details for Pop Quiz: The Comeback have now been confirmed, with the first show airing on BBC4 on Wednesday 28th December, and the second on Wednesday 4th January.
Both editions of the revived classic pop programme are being recorded tomorrow at Media City, Salford, with tickets to attend being allocated earlier this month.
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Wednesday 28th December: 9.30pm
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay: 1.05am
1/2. The music quiz that proved to be a Saturday night hit in the early 1980s is back, hosted by the original presenter Mike Read. He’s joined by a host of pop stars from the era, including Toyah Willcox, OMD’s Andy McCluskey, Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins and Spandau Ballet’s Steve Norman, who’ll be going head to head as they put their musical knowledge to the test.
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Wednesday 4th January: 9.30pm
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Saturday 7th January: 1.05am
2/2. Guests include Nick Heyward (Haircut 100), Carol Decker (T’Pau), David Grant (Linx), Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston (Bucks Fizz) and Ranking Roger (The Beat).
Lots of Toyah TV appearances again this Christmas, with repeats from past Christmasses and new programmes too.
There’s already been an airing of Toyah and Roy Wood’s A Very Vintage Christmas, with more Toyah to come on the music channel over the next few weeks. There are other shows on the festive schedules, including the revived Pop Quiz on BBC4.
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments
My5: Thu 15th Dec: 10pm/Sat 17th Dec: 2am
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 Eamon Holmes, Toyah Willcox, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Anne Diamond, Steve Punt and Mike Read. (My5 is the Channel 5 app available at iTunes etc.)
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Thursday 15th December: 11.30pm
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Boxing Day: 10am
Cosy up with family and friends as Toyah Willcox brings you 30 of the finest Christmas songs and a sprinkling of festive stories, surrounded by an extraordinary variety of creatures great and small.
A Very Vintage Christmas (Pt2): Vintage TV: Sunday 18th December: 8pm
A Very Vintage Christmas (Pt2): Vintage TV: Thursday 22nd December: 11.30pm
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs.
Celebrity Ghost Stories UK: CI: Wednesday 21st December: 2am
Sue Cook reveals creepy encounters with a malevolent nutcracker and a UFO, Toyah Willcox speaks of a spooky apparation, and Alex Fearns discusses sinister sounds he caught on tape.
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Friday 23rd December: 10am
Snuggle down by the fire with the family as punk princess, Toyah Willcox, introduces some of the finest Christmas videos of the 20th Century, sprinkled with a generous handful of fun festive facts.
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: 5Star: Christmas Eve: 1.40am
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 Eamon Holmes, Toyah Willcox, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Anne Diamond, Steve Punt and Mike Read.
100 Greatest Toys with Jonathan Ross: More 4: Christmas Day: 3.45pm
A countdown of the nation’s favourite games, gadgets and playthings, as decided by a Channel 4 online poll. Inventors and toymakers tell the inside stories of their creations and successes. (Toyah appears briefly, via 1981 “Rubik Cube” footage)
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: Wednesday 28th December: 9.30pm
Pop Quiz: The Comeback: BBC4: New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay: 1.05am
Guests include Toyah Willcox, Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins), Andy McCluskey (OMD), Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet), Mari Wilson and Leee John (Imagination).
Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Really: New Year’s Eve: 5pm
Celebrities hunt for a new home. Gaby Roslin helps punk-pop princess Toyah Willcox search for a second home, in Richmond upon Thames, with a budget of £650,000.
Who Had Four #1’s In The 1981 Indie Singles Chart?
Treat yourself to a chocolate biscuit if you got that one correct. If you don’t have such a thing close to hand then go buy one from a nearby shop and I’ll reimburse you as long as you send me the receipt.
Toyah, contrary to popular belief, was not just a solo project for Ms Willcox. Back in 1977, three friends had spent a brief period playing under the name Ninth Illusion, without recording any music. In the beginning of 1978 they added some more musicians and settled on a new, taking it from their female vocalist who was also just beginning to forge a name for herself as an actress.
By mid-1979 the band had signed to the London-based Safari Records and over the next 18 months here would be a handful of singles and LPs that didn’t really do all that much. By late 1980, there had been further line-up changes with only Joel Bogen remaining from the earlier line-ups and the decision was taken to focus on a more pop-orientated sound.
• Continue reading at The (New) Vinyl Villain.
“There is a mindset when it comes to competitive combat and I think I might have that.”
Toyah Willcox will always be associated with early 80s pop, punk and new romanticism – and that’s no bad thing. With her flaming sunset hair, rebellious lyrics and tribal synths, she is unforgettable. But what isn’t always remembered is that this versatile all-rounder has acted opposite greats like Sir Laurence Olivier and Katharine Hepburn, worked for directors like George Cukor and Derek Jarman, and had success in children’s TV as Barmy Aunt Boomerang and as a narrator of Teletubbies.
Nevertheless, the call of the 80s is hard to resist and so, next Spring, Toyah will join Paul Young, Martika and China Crisis for the 80s Invasion tour. It’s a tempting proposition. But I wonder if Toyah’s boundless energy is still in good supply.
“That enthusiasm is just a natural part of who I am,” she says. “I don’t believe in working on anything half-heartedly. If people are good enough to work with you, you have to give them 150 per cent in return. You can’t become an actress and have limitations or boundaries, that just feels contradictory to me. Diversity is a very rewarding thing because you see different aspects of human life and come into contact with things that you would never have otherwise discovered. As a writer, that’s vital for me because we all tend to live in a bit of a bubble. With Teletubbies I was doing a favour for a friend who never thought it would ever see the light of day. Of course she couldn’t have been more wrong as it became one of the BBC‘s most successful programmes.”
• Continue reading at Northern Soul.
Toyah is making a return to Blackpool’s Rebellion Festival next year, an event she previously played at in 2011. Rebellion Festival 2017 takes place at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool between Thursday 3rd August – Sunday 6th August. Dozens of bands are already listed as playing, with more acts to be announced over the coming months.
• Visit the Rebellion Festival website. See also Toyah’s Official Gigs page, where a number of live dates for 2017 have already been added.
Toyah Willcox and Don Maclean have both been honoured on the Birmingham Walk Of Stars.
Singer, actress and punk icon Toyah, originally from King’s Heath, attended a special presentation alongside Birmingham-born actor Maclean. Jasper Carrott, who has his own star, presented the Walk of Stars Awards with Birmingham Council leader, Councillor John Clancy.
Toyah, now 58, said: “I am thrilled to be receiving a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars. Having spent my childhood and teenage years in this great city, I developed my love of music and theatre here, thanks to all the great music venues and theatres available within the one city.”
• Continue reading at the Express & Star. (Photo © Express & Star)
Billy Ocean, Kim Wilde and Bryn Terfel to play Upton House Festival 2017
A host of star names will light up a festival in Dorset next summer. Upton House Music Festival in Poole, is back on Thursday June 8 to Saturday June 10 2017 with a host of star names. Details of the first two sensational nights have now been revealed – with the identity of Saturday’s headliner being kept strictly under wraps for the time being.
The three-night festival is held at the idyllic Upton House and Country Park in Poole, Dorset with a Classical Spectacular followed by an 80s Extravaganza and a final night starring a top international artist.
Friday June 9 is 80s Extravaganza party night starring incomparable R’n’B superstar Billy Ocean, hugely successful singer Kim Wilde and punk princess Toyah.
• Continue reading at the Dorset Echo. Read another article on this at the Daily Echo.
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).
Quadrophenia star and singer Toyah Willcox awarded a star on Broad Street
The Kings Heath born singer and actress was awarded a star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars in Broad Street.
Singer and actress Toyah Willcox was last night Sunday December 11, awarded a star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars in Broad Street. The 58 year old was awarded the star along with Brum born comedian Don Maclean who appeared in BBC television series Crackerjack with Michael Aspel, Peter Glaze and Jan Hunt in the 1970s.
The pair were awarded their stars during a special show hosted by Walk of Stars’ chairman Jasper Carrott at the Birmingham Rep Theatre. Toyah who was born in Kings Heath, shot to fame playing Monkey in the 1979 cult classic Quadrophenia. She also had a successful music career spanning 30 years including hits “It’s a Mystery”, “Thunder in the Mountains” and “I Want to Be Free” as well as 20 top selling albums. Toyah studied at Old Rep Drama School in Birmingham.
Looking back at her time there she said: “Already by then I was known in Birmingham for being the oddball that walked around with dyed hair. And you’ve got to remember that this is pre-punk, this was about 1973–74” At the event Toyah said “ I’m so proud and so excited. All my friends,family and fans are here. I feel Birmingham has done me proud today. I’m very grateful thank you.”
• Continue reading at the Birmingham Mail. View a great collection of photos from the Birmingham Walk of Stars event at Flickr. (Photo © Birmingham Mail)
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas, Toyah’s first festive special for Vintage TV from 2011, is also being re-shown this festive season. (Photo © Vintage TV)
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Friday 23rd December: 10am
Snuggle down by the fire with the family as punk princess, Toyah Willcox, introduces some of the finest Christmas videos of the 20th Century, sprinkled with a generous handful of fun festive facts.
Watch Toyah perform Be Proud Be Loud ( Be Heard) of Top Of The Pops at BBC iPlayer now!
Toyah talks to ITV Central ahead of being presented with a star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars.
Toyah’s December/Christmas 2016 blog, her final missive of the year, is available to read at toyahwillcox.com.
Toyah’s home town of Birmingham acknowledged her 40-year career and contribution to music, drama and performing today by awarding her with a place on the Broad Street Walk of Stars…
Toyah guests at the V&A on Tuesday, as part of their Christmas festivities for 2016, discussing panto with Simon Sladen of the British Theatre Guide.
• Discover South Kensington: Christmas in South Kensington: Join Toyah Willcox as part of the V&A’s Christmas Festivities as she celebrates one of her and Britain’s best loved artforms: the pantomine – Continue reading…
• All About London: December events at the V&A: Join actress, singer and celebrated pantomine performer Toyah Willcox as she celebrates one of her and Britain’s best loved artforms. Toyah will be in conversation with Senior Curator and Pantomime Editor of the British Theatre Guide, Simon Sladen – Continue reading…
• Toyah Willcox and the Great British Panto: Further information on this V&A Christmas event, and ticket booking are available here…
Toyah Willcox and Don Maclean take their place on Birmingham Walk of Stars, hosted by Jaspar Carrott
Two of Birmingham’s theatrical stars will light up the city with a special presentation on Sunday. Fans can join host Jasper Carrott as Toyah Willcox and Don Maclean take their place on the Birmingham Walk Of Stars
Birmingham Council leader, Councillor John Clancy, will present Walk of Stars Awards to singer and actress Toyah and comedian and actor Maclean. Both artists will also perform at the show.
• Continue reading at the Express and Star.
Toyah Willcox gets emotional talking about being honoured with a Broad Street star… Toyah is being recognised for her work in music, film and television.
More forthcoming airings for A Very Vintage Christmas, with Toyah and Roy Wood, on Vintage TV.
A Very Vintage Christmas (Pt1): Vintage TV: Monday 12th December: 11pm
A Very Vintage Christmas (Pt2): Vintage TV: Sunday 18th December: 8pm
A Very Vintage Christmas (Pt2): Vintage TV: Thursday 22nd December: 11.30pm
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs.
