Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Strictly Come Dancing is back for the 20th year, once again bringing joy and sparkle to homes across the nation. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Saturday 14 September.

As the nation’s favourite dance show celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promises to be extra special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

The celebrities quick stepping onto our screens this year are Chris McCausland, Jamie Borthwick, JB Gill, Montell Douglas, Nick Knowles, Tasha Ghouri, Tom Dean MBE, Toyah Willcox, Paul Merson, Pete Wicks, Punam Krishan, Sam Quek MBE, Sarah Hadland, Shayne Ward and Wynne Evans.

Toyah Willcox “It’s fabulous. Love it.”

When you got the call inviting you to take part in Strictly this year, what made you say yes?
I’ve always wanted to do it. I love the idea of dancing. I think dancing is one of the most extraordinary things about being a human being. I just love it. I think it’s the greatest way of expressing and getting in touch with your emotions. Music has always made me want to dance, so it feels very natural to have said yes to Strictly.

Describe Strictly in one word or phrase.
Uplifting.

How does it feel to be part of the momentous 20th Anniversary series?
It’s a heavy weight to carry. I want to be brilliant. I want to be my best. I’m not necessarily a dancer but I am definitely a mover. I just don’t want to ever let anyone down. It’s fabulous being part of the 20th anniversary, but also it has huge responsibility as well.

The series is 20 years old this year. What were you doing 20 years ago or what were you doing aged 20?
I was a punk rock singer. I was touring. I made the movie Jubilee, then the Tempest, then The Corn Is Green with Catherine Hepburn, then Quadrophenia. That was a huge year for me.

Do you have any stand out memories from watching the previous series?
Ann Widdecombe. I loved her strength of personality, her conviction, her self-confidence. I mean, that’s a real focus point for me. If I’m feeling I can’t do something, I just channel my inner Ann Widdecombe.

What aspects of Strictly are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to the flowing movement of dance. There are certain dances that flow like water and I’m really looking forward to that. The more frenetic stuff is going to be quite challenging, just because of my age, but I know I can do it. I move on stage still now, but the stuff that flows, that has a kind of zen about it, I’m really looking forward to.

What dance are you most looking forward to trying?
The Foxtrot. I’m very tomboyish, I’m very boisterous, and I’ve never felt feminine so I’m looking forward to doing something that makes me feel feminine.

• Continue reading at BBC Media Centre. (Photos © BBC)

Celebrities set to unleash their inner property expert as they celebrate 20 years of Homes Under the Hammer

For the first time ever each special episode will contain a celebrity host, a new property, and a memorable moment from the archive with a double-bill due to air on the anniversary

Homes Under the Hammer first aired on BBC One on 17 November 2003 and is set to celebrate in style with celebrity guest presenters on its 20th Anniversary. For the first time ever each special episode will contain a celebrity host, a new property, and a memorable moment from the archive with a double-bill due to air on the anniversary.

The celebrity guests are fans of the programme and will enjoy the opportunity to offer their own individual insight as they share ideas to transform the properties. Martin Roberts will kick off the anniversary celebrations with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in Bristol, followed by Martel Maxwell and Alex Jones in London. Laurence rivals Martin in the fashion stakes before offering advice on recycling a retro avocado bathroom suite and Alex expresses her love for original features. The celebrities will also present the iconic phrase ‘Let’s find out what happened when it went under the hammer’ before meeting with the new owners who were successful at auction.

Later in the year, Dion Dublin will be joined by Toyah Wilcox in Birmingham, Jacqui Joseph will co-present with Owain Wyn Evans in Wales and Tommy Walsh will get a helping hand from The Traitors favourite, Amanda Lovett, in Buckinghamshire.

• Continue reading at BBC Media Centre. See photos of Toyah and Dion at Twitter/X, and a short preview video clip at Facebook. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

In the first of a new series, Jools Holland opens the vault of his TV series Later… to rummage through three decades-worth of classic archive performances.

Tonight he revisits the very first episode of the show to play the Neville Brothers and to tease out the history of New Orleans music.

Formed in 1977 in New Orleans, The Neville Brothers’ eponymous debut album was released just a year later on Capitol Records. Composed of brothers Aaron, Art, Charles, Cyril and Ivan Neville, the band became a key fixture in the New Orleans music scene, going on to win a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1990 for their song Healing Chant.

Also in this first episode Jools is joined by singer, actor and writer Toyah Willcox , who’ll be picking her own favourite Later… performances – including Muse, David Bowie and Bryan Ferry – and discussing her career with Jools. Willcox is a four-times Brit Award nominated singer-songwriter, actor and producer.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, she has released over 20 albums and achieved eight Top 40 singles, including I Want to Be Free and Thunder In The Mountains. In 2001 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Central England in recognition of her achievements in performing arts, media and broadcasting.

Ep 1/6 | Saturday 16 May | 8.00pm-9.00pm | BBC Radio 2: Presenter: Jools Holland | Producer: Mark Hagen for the BBC

Over the sound of ripping wax-strips, nail drills, clippers and trimmers, Toyah Willcox invites us to eavesdrop on usually private conversations taking place in hair and beauty salons across the UK.

We drop in on appointments at Totally Polished in Blackpool, The Topiary Salon in Basingstoke, Smith Hair Studio in Edmonton and Not Another Salon in London’s East End.

From holidays and bingo wins, to hospital appointments and bereavements – customers relish the opportunity to swap stories, gossip and enjoy an hour’s escape from the stresses of daily life. Beauticians and hairdressers are trusted confidantes, privy to shocking secrets, but they also provide an independent ear and a comforting shoulder to cry on.

For Toyah’s friend and hairdresser to the stars, Keith Wainwright MBE, a trip to the salon is also an important source of physical and social contact in an increasingly online world.

According to industry reports, women and men of all ages and means are spending increasing amounts of time, and money, at hair and beauty salons in the UK. British consumers spent an estimated 1.89 billion pounds on salon services in the last quarter of 2017. We find out why. A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4

• Continue reading at BBC Media Centre.