Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Toyah guested on Toni McDonald’s show on BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester earlier today.

While Toyah is at home in Worcestershire, she embraces technology with her own YouTube channel with 215,000 subscribers and counting. We first saw her as an actress in the late 70s on stage, TV and in the films Quadrophenia and Jubilee, before her music career took off. Toyah has achieved 8 top 40 singles – including 3 top 10 entries – with her self-titled band and as a solo artist, has had 9 top 40 albums so far, and tours regularly.

• Listen to an excerpt here and the full show at BBC Sounds.

Christmas 2011, ITV’s This Morning got into the festive spirit with their Big Fat Panto Quiz, with a bunch of celebs who were starring in pantos around the country that Christmastime!

Paul Ross was Quizmaster, with Bonnie Langford, The Krankies, Timmy Mallet, Lynda Bellingham, Kevin Cruise and Toyah (playing the Wicked Queen), all in full panto dress/character, answering the questions.

Panto is a huge Christmas tradition here in the UK. Oh yes it is! A short clip from The Big Fat Panto Quiz is still available online here. Please click on the caps to view larger versions.

Toyah returns to the Strictly ballroom one last time for the, almost three-hour, series finale on Saturday.

Strictly Come Dancing: BBC One: Saturday 14th December: 6pm
The Final, Series 22. Tess and Claud welcome you to the biggest night in the ballroom, the Strictly Come Dancing grand final. After months of dancing and many hours of training, it all comes down to this. Our finalists will each perform three times, including a spectacular showdance, in a bid to be your champions.

Our professionals join RAYE for an incredible performance, and the cast of 2024 return to the dance floor for one last routine.

The judges’ scores are purely for guidance, as the decision as to who wins lies entirely with you at home. Who will lift the Glitterball Trophy and be crowned the winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2024? (Photo © BBC)

Christmas 2016, and Toyah was the cover star of Birmingham Living magazine – issue dated January 2017 but published in December 2016 – with a three-page interview feature accompanied by some great shots of Toyah.

Toyah Willcox’s colourful career has taken her from Punk Princess to Splash, Teletubbies and I’m a Celebrity. She never ceases to surprise…

There is something very endearing about Toyah Willcox. She is one in a long tradition of creative, sometimes downright cussed, free spirits who mellow into a kind of national treasure with the passing years. Say what you like about Toyah, you could never pigeon-hole her.

The original wild-child punk princess is credited with starting the Goth movement, has voiced the Teletubbies, champions the National Trust and survived the Celebrity Jungle. And this multi-talented ball of energy has now been officially honoured by her home city with a star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars.

Being Toyah, she challenges the word mellow. “I don’t think I’m mellowing,” she says, “though I do find things that freaked me out in the past don’t bother me anymore. And I’m working harder than ever.” No kidding! This is a one-woman phenomenon with a record company, six movies on the go and a touring band. A typical day starts at 6am, involves driving across the country, gigging, presenting and writing before final getting into bed at 4. Not that she’d change a thing.

• The magazine is still available online. Continue to Birmingham Living at Issuu.com to read the full interview.

Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Friday 20th December: 9.20am
Blue Marigold. Series 5, Episode 1. Dropped by her agency for her diva-like behaviour, supermodel Marigold’s mental health deteriorates. Years later, she plots a comeback. Director: Giles Foster. Starring: Toyah Willcox, Ralph Bates, Sharon Duce, Helen Fraser, Billy Hamon, Edward Jewesbury.

Christmas 2024, and today Toyah’s version of, the Greg Lake festive classic, I Believe In Father Christmas is released as a standalone single for the very first time.

This is the third in an ongoing series of Toyah 10″ vinyl single/EP releases, following Brave New World in 2023 and Rebel Run in September of this year.

Originally recorded in 1982 for inclusion on the ITV special Pop Goes Christmas, the track features Toyah Willcox (vocals), Joel Bogen (acoustic guitar) and Keith Hale (keyboards).

The new 10″ single is pressed on snow white vinyl and is accompanied with a colour Toyah Christmas Card in a throwback to the annual Christmas cards posted out to members of The Intergalactic Ranchhouse, the official Toyah fan club ran by Safari Records.

Toyah has announced she is playing a trio of South Valley Festival dates next year: South (May 2025); Midlands (June 2025); North (August 2025). Further info and tickets available at Stone Valley Festivals.

Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s: Sunday 8th December: 7am
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).

Christmas 1990 saw Toyah play Miss Scarlet in a special festive edition, “Christmas Past, Christmas Present”, of ITV’s Cluedo.

You are invited to a murder: Arlington Grange – home of wealthy widow Elizabeth Peacock; society hostess and patron of the arts. A woman with a reputation she would rather forget.

Colonel Mustard: Secret lover of Mrs. Peacock. A dashing military hero who’s glittering career hides a tarnished past. The Reverend Green: Pastor of the parish who’s means of raising money are not heaven sent. Though a man of the cloth, he has feet of clay. Professor Plum: Nuclear physicist and government advisor. But would his research methods stand the scrutiny of a microscope. Miss Scarlett: vivacious step-daughter of Mrs. Peacock; who’s lust for the high life will let nothing or no-one stand in her way. And Mrs White: for the past 15 years, friend and housekeeper to Mrs. Peacock. But what what dark secret did she bring to Arlington Grange? Six people, all with murder on their minds.

• Toyah At Home: December 2024 – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Ding Dong – Watch… (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted: Really: Thursday 19th December: 0.00am
Toyah Willcox. Series 1, episode 5. The team undergoes one of the most terrifying investigations yet when visiting Toyah Willcox, who has experienced strange activity in her home ever since she moved in. (Photo © Discovery)

The Christmas 2023 episode of Toyah At Home, which aired on Saturday 9th December, was a Christmas Special – Toyah introduced the show saying “Hello everybody, Happy Christmas, it is December, it’s that magical time of the year, I hope you’re ready and have your plans all in hand for what should be, and will be, I promise you, a spectacular four weeks...”.

Toyah briefly summarised what’s to come in 2024: New music (“at least an EP“), the reissue of Love Is The Law, two movies, a radio show, tours for Toyah and Toyah & Robert, and more.

The festive Toyah At Home consisted of various clips, photos and memories, mostly with a Christmas connection: Relax/Trevor Horn; past Christmas times and memories; Toyah’s TVAM Christmas fantasy shopping trip to Liberty in London (accompanied by Messenger the Horse), to the soundtrack of The Vow; Toyah receiving her Walk Of Fame star in Birmingham in 2016 – featuring Toyah’s only ever live performance of I Believe In Father Christmas; Reminiscing about recording Love Is The Law while simultaneously starring in Trafford Tanzi, and the fans who camped outside the Mermaid Theatre; Christmas Eve at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for The Old Grey Whistle Test‘s annual concert – Big hair, big sound, fabulous theatre“; The New Year’s Eve Radio 2 concert; and ending with I Believe In Father Christmas from the 1982 ITV show, Pop Goes Christmas.

•  Watch this festive edition of Toyah At Home here or by clicking below.

Here’s a festive treat for Christmas 2024…

The complete four-part radio version of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, with Toyah in the title role, airs again on BBC Radio 4 Extra later this month, over four consecutive days – with four airings for each episode. This was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1995.

The most recent airing was almost a decade ago, in October 2015.

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of J. M. Barrie’s tale of childhood adventure starring Toyah Willcox as Peter Pan and Ron Moody as Captain Hook. These audio editions, especially dramatised for BBC Radio, are of timeless stories that have enchanted generations of readers both young and old.

Also starring Roy Hudd as Smee and June Whitfield as Mrs Darling, this sparkling production is directed by award-winning producer Dirk Maggs, with an original music score and stunning sound effects.

Peter Pan: BBC R4 Extra: Tue 17th Dec: 6am/11am/5pm | Wed 18th Dec: 1am
Episode 1 of 4. Away to Neverland. A strange visitor transforms the Darling household one bedtime. Stars Toyah Willcox, Ron Moody and June Whitfield.

Peter Pan: BBC R4 Extra: Wed 18th Dec: 6am/11am/5pm | Thu 19th Dec: 1am
Episode 2 of 4. In The Mermaid’s Lagoon. The mischievous boy and the children arrive in Neverland. Stars Toyah Willcox, Ron Moody, Georgina Cates and Roy Hudd.

Peter Pan: BBC R4 Extra: Thu 19th Dec: 6am/11am/5pm | Fri 20th Dec: 1am
Episode 3 of 4. An Awfully Big Adventure. Captain Hook turns the tables, as the battle between the Lost Boys and the pirates begins. Stars Toyah Willcox and Ron Moody.

Peter Pan: BBC R4 Extra: Fri 20th Dec: 6am/11am/5pm | Sat 21st Dec: 1am
Episode 4 of 4. Spring Cleaning Time Again. Wendy longs for home, but first she and the brothers must be rescued from Captain Hook. Stars Toyah Willcox and Ron Moody.

Christmas 2022, and a mere 41 years after its original release, Four More From Toyah was rereleased – on expanded eight song neon violet colour vinyl mini LP. Boasting gorgeous artwork and unreleased tracks, the LP, which was remastered from the original master tapes, referenced that original release while bringing the glorious EP bang up-to-date for new and old fans alike.

The Four More From Toyah Extended EP/Mini Album was the latest in an impressive release schedule of colour Toyah vinyl LPs made available over the previous five years – and something which has also continued since, with more great releases in 2023 and ’24.

The Tracklist: Side One: 1. Good Morning Universe, 2. Urban Tribesmen, 3. In The Fairground, 4. The Furious Futures | Side Two: 1. Go Berserk (Tour Intro), 2. Stand Proud, 3. Clapham Junction, 4. I Want To Be Free (Roundhouse Session)

• Click below to browse the album’s page at toyahwillcox.com.

Toyah is guesting on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends this Christmas, joining Clive Anderson on Saturday 21st December. Listen live or at BBC Sounds post-airing.

Loose Ends: BBC Radio 4: Sat 21st Dec: 6.15pm
Loose Ends: BBC Radio 4: Boxing Day: 9pm
Toyah Willcox, Adam Riches and John Kearns, Barb Junger, 30 years of Stay Another Day. In a glorious fusion of 1990s boy and girl band nostalgia Loose Ends will celebrate the 30 years since boyband East 17 scaled the charts with Stay Another Day – songwriter Tony Mortimer will perform the song with Edele Lynch of B*Witched for a festive Loose Ends recorded with a live audience at the BBC Radio Theatre.

Clive talks to punk princess Toyah Willcox about her Xmas Party tour with King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and a blistering year that’s seen her perform at Glastonbury, take part in Strictly Come Dancing and join the cast of Now That’s What I Call Music, the musical.

We’re promised bromance, baubles and banter with Edinburgh Comedy Award winners Adam Riches and John Kearns who are collaborating on a “once in a lifetime, yuletide extravaganza” show at the Soho Theatre

Winter/Christmas 1983 was a very special, and memorable, festive season for Toyah fans…

In every waking hour I miss you, In my dreams I never kiss you, And in the shadows creatures want to hurt you, but in love and war I’ll never desert you…

Christmas 1983, Toyah was promoting The Vow, the final single for Safari Records, the Love Is The Law album, and travelling the UK on the Rebel Run Tour. Toyah, and the band, appeared on numerous TV shows in the UK and Europe through November and December, being interviewed as well as performing The Vow and Rebel Run.

The TV shows included; Pebble Mill, Did You See?, Pop Watch, Saturday Superstore, Breakfast Time, Razzmatazz, The Saturday Show, Harty, Crackerjack and Judgendbund. Other shows included in ‘The Vow’ promotion were; TVAM: Good Morning Britain and 60 Minutes.

Following Toyah playing 80s Calling in August of this year, she has been confirmed to play two 80s Calling dates, in Dundee and Darlington, in July & August 2025. These gigs are headlined by The Human League. Tickets go on sale in just a couple of days. Further info and ticket links available at toyahwillcox.com.

It’s 1st December, and that time of year again when Dreamscape gets it’s box of old, and not so old, decorations out of the virtual loft, and begins the annual Countdown To Christmas!

This year we’re feeling particularly festive and can’t wait to share Christmas memories-a-plenty through our favourite month of the year.

Christmas 2023, Toyah guests on BBC One’s The Great British Sewing Bee on 21st December, alongside actor and comedian Kerry Godliman, comedian and writer Jessica Knappett and actor Hammed Animashaun.

Toyah took part in a number of festive sewing challenges, creating a variety of outfits for Christmas! Toyah also reminisced with one of the show’s hosts, Esme Young, about Love Is The Law and Princess Diana. It was Esme’s fashion house, Swanky Modes, who concepted and designed Toyah’s iconic and memorable imagery for the 1983 album, Love Is The Law.

There was a tonne of pre-broadcast press for The Great British Sewing Bee, and the programme was a ratings hit for the build-up week to Christmas. Post-airing there was also an abundance of press – print and digital, reporting on Toyah winning the show!

• Revisit this seriously festive Toyah memory from 2023 – via numerous posts – at Dreamscape’s News Archive. (Photos © BBC)

Yeeeha!! I just received the prints for Toyah Fanzine‘s bumper celebration of the reissue of Love Is The Law, and I Believe In Father Christmas, as well as Toyah’s Album Discography. As you read this I’ll be festively packaging and postaging (!), while watching MTV Christmas… Ho ho ho!

Greatest Christmas TV Moments: Channel 5: Friday 6th December: 10pm
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)

Following their interview with Toyah in 2021, and talking Toyah in September, Toyah & Robert guested on Word In Your Ear‘s latest Podcast – How Toyah & Robert’s kitchen show became an Xmas rock’n’roll ding-dong.

• Watch/Listen at You Tube or at Apple Podcasts.