80s Greatest Hits – 1988: Channel 5: Sunday 27th November: 11.05pm
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.
80s Greatest Pop Videos: Channel 5: Friday 18th November: 10.55pm
1985. Series 1, episode 6. A look at the greatest pop videos of 1985, an era when Kate Bush, David Bowie, Madonna and Prince dominated the Top 40. Peter Cox and Richard Drummie from Go West recall making the promos for their hits. Paul Young remembers his time at the top of the charts, and directors including Kevin Godley talk about on-set antics and the tricks of the trade behind some of the most famous videos ever made. With Toyah Willcox, Nick Heyward, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant, Katie Puckrik and Nina Myskow.
80s Greatest Hits – 1986: Channel 5: Sunday 20th November: 11.25pm
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.
Toyah On TV: Britain’s Favourite Hits: Channel 5: Sunday 30th October: 11pm
1989. Series 1, episode 10. Jackie Brambles narrates this look back at 1989, the era of Madonna, Milli Vanilli and Jason Donovan. Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Jenny Powell add their thoughts on the year when the Bangles’ Eternal Flame was a huge hit, Lisa Stansfield sang All Around The World, and Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers were almost unstoppable.
Britain’s Favourite Hits – 1987: Channel 5: Sunday 16th October: 10.30pm
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.
Britain’s Favourite Hits – 1988: Channel 5: Sunday 23rd October: 10.30pm
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 th 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.
Most Shocking Moments In Pop: Channel 5: Sunday 18th September: 10.55pm
Series 1, Episode 4. Tamzin Outhwaite narrates a selection of memorable incidents involving musicians, including Zayn Malik leaving One Direction and Robbie Williams rejoining Take That. There are lessons in etiquette from Grace Jones, the scoop on Beyonce’s sister Solange taking on Jay-Z and the British singing legend who was one of the first to take on the Apartheid regime. With insight from Toyah Willcox, Rick Wakeman, Bez, Dan Hipgrave, Harvey, Jay Aston, Carrie and David Grant and Linda Lewis, with comments from Ralf Little, Matt Richardson, Katie Puckrik, Pat Sharp and Robert Elms.
80s Greatest Pop Videos: 5Select: Sunday 28th August: 8.30pm
80s Greatest Pop Videos: Channel 5: Sunday 28th August: 11.05pm
1980. A look back at the greatest pop videos from the eighties, beginning in 1980, with contributions from Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant and others. Musicians from the Jam, Dexys Midnight Runners and UB40 check out their early videos, while the director of David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes, and the writer of Sheena Easton’s first big hit revel in the nostalgia.
Toyah Willcox on sex In later life, hysterectomies and checking your body
Season 1, Episode. 3: Singer, actor and YouTube sensation Toyah Willcox doesn’t just want to keep living, she wants to feel as full of life as she can for as long as possible.
In this episode, Toyah speaks openly about keeping intimacy alive in later life, and how communication and understanding can help women flourish when it comes to sex, relationships and living life to its full potential.
• Listen to Toyah’s interview, on the Women’s Health – Breaking The Taboos podcast, here.
Most Shocking Moments In Pop: Channel 5: Saturday 9th April: 10pm
Series 1, Episode 4. Tamzin Outhwaite narrates a selection of memorable incidents involving musicians, including Zayn Malik leaving One Direction and Robbie Williams rejoining Take That. There are lessons in etiquette from Grace Jones, the scoop on Beyonce’s sister Solange taking on Jay-Z and the British singing legend who was one of the first to take on the Apartheid regime. With insight from Toyah Willcox, Rick Wakeman, Bez, Dan Hipgrave, Harvey, Jay Aston, Carrie and David Grant and Linda Lewis, with comments from Ralf Little, Matt Richardson, Katie Puckrik, Pat Sharp and Robert Elms.
80s Greatest Pop Videos: 5Select: Thursday 31st March: 11pm
1980. A look back at the greatest pop videos from the eighties, beginning in 1980, with contributions from Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant and others. Musicians from the Jam, Dexys Midnight Runners and UB40 check out their early videos, while the director of David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes, and the writer of Sheena Easton’s first big hit revel in the nostalgia.
80s Greatest Pop Videos: Channel 5: Friday 25th March: 11.30pm
1986. A visual celebration of the best music of 1986, from Peter Gabriel and Diana Ross to Duran Duran and Bananarama. Billy Ocean and Arlene Phillips recall behind-the-scenes stories. Cameras reveal what went on while Robert Palmer, Five Star and Curiosity Killed the Cat were filming. Plus, Toyah Willcox, Nick Heyward, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant, Katie Puckrik and Nina Myskow reflect on a fabulous year of music videos.
80s Greatest Pop Videos: Channel 5: Friday 4th March: 10pm
1985. A look at the greatest pop videos of 1985, an era when Kate Bush, David Bowie, Madonna and Prince dominated the charts. Peter Cox and Richard Drummie from Go West recall making the promos for their hits. Paul Young remembers his time at the top of the charts, and directors including Kevin Godley talk about on-set antics and the tricks of the trade behind some of the most famous videos ever made. With Toyah Willcox, Nick Heyward, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant, Katie Puckrik and Nina Myskow.
80s Greatest Pop Videos: Channel 5: Friday 28th January: 10pm
1980. A look back at the greatest pop videos from the eighties, beginning in 1980, with contributions from Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant and others. Musicians from the Jam, Dexys Midnight Runners and UB40 check out their early videos, while the director of David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes, and the writer of Sheena Easton’s first big hit revel in the nostalgia.
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Friday 9th April: 10pm
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Sunday 11th April: 10.55pm
1985. Series 1, episode 6. A look at the biggest-selling singles of 1985, the best pop videos, the artists who appeared in them, and the stories behind the songs. A-ha’s Take On Me, and I Know Him So Well, by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson are two of the classic tracks under discussion. Contributors include Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Carol Decker. Jenny Powell narrates.
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Friday 2nd April: 10pm
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Sunday 4th April: 11pm
1984. Series 1, Episode 5. A look at the biggest singles of 1984, the best pop videos, the artists who appeared in them, and the stories behind the songs. Cheryl Baker reveals how Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got to Do with It started off as a Bucks Fizz song. Plus, a look at Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s controversial Relax, and the hits of Wham!. With contributions from Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Carol Decker and Jenny Powell
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Friday 26th March: 10pm
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Sunday 28th March: 10.55pm
1983. Series 1, Episode 4. Simon Bates narrates this look at the music of 1983, featuring interviews with Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker, Carol Decker, Jenny Powell and other famous faces. Among the featured tracks are Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), New Order’s Blue Monday, and Bad Boys by Wham! Director: Yvette Lyons, Sian Brooks, Vanessa L. Williams. Starring: Simon Bates, Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker, Jenny Powell, Carol Decker.
When Pop Stars Go Horribly Wrong: Channel 5: Friday 21st August: 9pm
When Pop Stars Go Horribly Wrong: Channel 5: Monday 24th August: 10pm
Popstars are idolised and adored by their fans. They can become stars overnight, giving them almost God-like status. When they’re riding high, they’re at the top of the celebrity food-chain. But when it all goes horribly wrong, their fall from grace can be spectacular. Narrated by Sarah Cawood, this 3-hour special celebrates some of pop’s bum notes from the likes of Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Meatloaf and even The Beatles. Interviewees include Toyah Willcox, Kerry Katona, Katie Waissel, and pop gurus Nicki Chapman & Paul Gambaccini.
A reminder that Toyah appears in Candy Wars: Britain’s Favourite Sweets 2020 this evening.
Candy Wars: Britain’s Favourite Sweets 2020:
Channel 5: Sunday 10th May: 6.15pm & 7.10pm
Confectionery-loving celebrities crunch and chew their way through the public’s chosen top 20 goodies, while reminiscing about sweet TV adverts from times gone by. One lucky competition winner heads to a factory to invent her own sweet, there’s a visit to the world’s oldest sweet shop and one of the UK’s top competitive eaters tries to break a marshmallow-eating world record.
Featuring Janet Ellis, Kim Woodburn, Angela Griffin, Basil Brush, Ninia Benjamin, Justin Moorhouse, Catherine Tyldesley, Rosemary Shrager, Toyah Willcox, Samantha Giles and Duncan James.
Toyah guested on last night’s Britain’s Favourite Christmas Carol, which aired on Channel 5. A very festive 90 minutes on the Saturday before Christmas. Here are a few screen caps.
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.
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.
