Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

It’s the final day of our Christmas countdown. Thanks to everyone who visited every day of December.

Christmas 2010, Dreamscape compiled the Toyah Festive 50. A tinseltastic half hundred of Yuletide related Toyah facts, figures and trivia.

Revisit the full rundown here.

Why was Toyah Scarlett at Christmas? … Who would be her dream dining companion? … Just how many town’s lights did Toyah switch on at Christmas 2003?… What were Toyah and Tony Robinson doing at Christmas 1988? … Which other programmes were aired the Christmas Eve night that Toyah’s legendary Theatre Royal, Drury Lane concert was watched by millions on BBC2?

Discover the answer to these and much more in our Toyah @ Christmas information overload! Completely and utterly unecessary but a lot of festive fun nonetheless!

A Very Merry Christmas Eve Eve! It’s the penultimate day of Dreamscape’s countdown to Christmas 2018.

Christmas 1983, Toyah, and her Brave New World video co-star Messenger, went early Christmas shopping in November… Pop singer and actress Toyah Willcox has always wanted to do her Christmas shopping on horseback! With a little help from TV-am’s ‘Fantasy Time’, and Liberty’s in Regent Street, Toyah rode a white horse called Messenger through the store. 

Watch the full TVAM clip at Toyah’s Official You Tube channel and click below to see larger versions of the screen caps.

Christmas 2016, and Toyah guested on Pop Quiz – The Comeback which aired on BBC Four on 28th December.

It was the Saturday night smash hit music quiz show that ran for four years between 1981 and 1984. Over 30 years later it’s back, with the original presenter Mike Read hosting the first of two special celebration shows where the biggest pop stars from the 1980s go head to head in a test of their 80s music knowledge.

Guests include Toyah Willcox, Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins), Andy McCluskey (OMD), Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet), Mari Wilson and Leee John (Imagination).

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 4.46, in-between Martin Fry of ABC and Steve Strange of Visage. Too-de-loo!! Part One is available here.

Christmas 2018, and only five days until Christmas Day, why not download some, Christmas related, Toyah music…

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. Six years ago, at Christmas 2012, it was released as a standalone 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 digitally released Take The Leap! album… Download at iTunes.

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.

Christmas 1984, The Ebony Tower – written by John Fowles and originally published in 1974 – aired on ITV on the 9th December.

Toyah filmed the 90-minute television drama, which was produced by Granada TV, in the Dordogne region of France during the Summer of 1983. She starred alongside Sir Laurence Olivier, Greta Scacchi and Roger Rees.

View promo shots from the drama here and here. Read an interview with Toyah, published when The Ebony Tower aired, by Outlook magazine, and another from around the same time, by Cosmopolitan magazine. Read Dreamscape’s 2011 DVD review, and view a couple of our fan adverts. (Thanks to andy for the screen cap below)

Christmas 2012, Toyah guested on Steve Lamacq’s Rock College on BBC Radio 2 discussing how absolutely life-changing first discovering David Bowie was for her when growing up in Birmingham in the early 1970s.

Toyah talks about the legendary album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and of first glimpsing, and hearing, Bowie performing Starman on the music programme Lift Off With Ayshea.

This was, and is, such a great little gem of audio it seemed a real shame to just let it disappear after its week on iPlayer back in 2012… so here it is! Click below to listen.

Christmas Eve 2012, Toyah guested on Marlow FM’s Musical Milestones on The Eclectic Light Show. She discussed her life and career and chose six songs along the way. As this aired on Christmas Eve and the station didn’t have a Listen Again function I recorded it and uploaded to Dreamscape a low quality mp3 of the 30-minute special. Click below to listen/download.

Christmas 2016, saw Toyah Willcox and the Great British Panto take place. The festive event was held at the Victoria & Albert Museum, aka the V&A, London. Toyah discussed the history, origins and traditions of pantomime, as well as her own panto career, with Simon Sladen. (Photos © Damon King)

Christmas 2006, Toyah was interviewed in Somerfield magazine. Somerfield was a supermarket chain which traded for almost 140 years before closing in 2011 after being bought over by the Co-op.

Toyah Willcox gets into the festive spirit

What does Christmas mean to you?
For the last 15 years, I’ve been doing panto. So to me, Christmas means entertaining families. On Christmas Day itself, I eat from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. It’s the only time of the year where I’ll eat for 12 hours!

Do you have the works on Christmas Day?
Yes we do. I have a restaurant prepare all the food the day before because what I don’t want to do on my one day off is cook. All I have to do is put it all in the Aga!

Do you enjoy cooking?
I do. I think it’s good to make yourself cook.

Your dream dining companion?
It would have to be John Lennon. If he could see the world today, he’d have more to say than ever before.

Christmas 2001, Toyah festively featured in the December/Christmas issue of Woman & Home magazine, in a one-page article.

My Christmas Wish… “My wish is that every calorie consumed is calorie-free and that we all have at least three wishes come true – as long as we all have the sense to wish our lives to be lived to our full abilities, and to be kind and honourable to all our fellow men.”  Toyah Willcox, Actress

Christmas 2002, Toyah was the cover star of Festival City Theatres brochure, in anticipation of Calamity Jane playing at The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh in January 2003.

Calamity Jane was a great success for Toyah in the early 2000s. The musical toured the UK from September to November 2002, and January to June 2003 (with a break in late April/early May for Toyah’s stint in the second series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!), then transferred to London West End’s Shaftsebury Theatre from June to September of 2003. There was speculation that Toyah would reprise her role as Jane for a further tour but this never happened.

A selection of Toyah on TV this festive season. Of particular interest are Celebrity Mastermind. airing on BBC1 on Saturday 22nd December, and the Fleetwood Mac documentary A Musical History, airing on BBC Four on a number of occasions just before Christmas.

Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Home:
Friday 14th December: 1.50am
Toyah (Series 2, Episode 2). Celebrities hunt for a new home. Gaby Roslin helps the original punk-pop princess Toyah Willcox search for a second home, in Richmond upon Thames, with a budget of £650,000.

Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: Channel 5:
Monday 17th December: 10pm
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.

Fleetwood Mac – A Musical History: BBC4: Friday 21st December: 8pm
Fleetwood Mac – A Musical History: BBC4: Saturday 22nd December: 1.25am
Fleetwood Mac – A Musical History: BBC4: Christmas Eve: 00.25am
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.

Celebrity Mastermind: BBC1: Saturday 22nd December: 5.20pm
Series 13, Episode 2. 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.

Quadrophenia: Film 4 HD: Christmas Eve: 1.25am
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Director: Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, and Ray Winstone.

Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: 5Select: Christmas Day: 1.25am
Most Shocking Christmas TV Moments: 5Select: Boxing Day: 0.00am
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.

The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Christmas Day: 12.20pm
Part One. Denise Van Outen kicks off a sumptuous two-part celebration of the great songs and performers from the best classic and contemporary musicals – as voted for by the British public. From Astaire to Zellweger, from 42nd Street to 8 Mile, Moulin Rouge! and The Sound of Music, The 100 Greatest Musicals is the definitive guide to the musicals that have both stood the test of time and had a lasting impact on viewers’ lives. 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.

The 100 Greatest Musicals: More4: Boxing Day: 12.30pm
Part Two. Denise Van Outen concludes the rundown of viewers’ favourite musicals, counting down from 50 to number one. Including memorable clips from film, stage and TV productions, plus contributions by celebrity fans, Hollywood movers and shakers, critics and journalists. Also airing on More4 +1 and HD.

Christmas 2010, was an incredibly busy time for Toyah. As well as starring in the panto Sleeping Beauty at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (with great reviews from The Stage and Malvern Gazette: “This is as near the perfect pantomime as can be“), being part of The Hazel O’Connor Collective and the Christmas charity single Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter), and appearing all over the TV and radio schedules – Toyah also found time to take part in a variety of festive events.

In early December Toyah switched on Bidford Upon Avon’s Christmas lights on a wintery Sunday evening; took part in The Big Switch On in Malvern, turning on the Worcestershire town’s Christmas lights and performing some Christmas classics; and later in December Toyah and her panto co-stars helped launch the Oxfam Unwrapped gift scheme in Malvern. A great festive month!

Christmas 1981, 82, 83 & 84. In the early eighties Toyah’s Official Fanclub – Intergalactic Ranch House – sent out Christmas cards to subscribing members each December.

Toyah took 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 IRH became simply the Toyah Fanclub after Toyah’s Safari Records contract ended and she signed to the CBS/Portrait.

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.

Christmas 2011, ITV’s This Morning got into the festive spirit with their Big Fat Panto Quiz.

Paul Ross was Quizmaster, with Bonnie Langford, The Krankies, Timmy Mallet, Lynda Bellingham, Kevin Cruise and Toyah, 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.

Christmas 1984. Toyah guested on the Pop Quiz Christmas Special on BBC1. The programme aired at 4.15pm on Christmas Eve.

This was the penultimate edition of the original Pop Quiz. There were four series, plus five specials, 48 episodes in total, with Toyah guesting four times. The final Pop Quiz Special aired a few days later on 28th December 1984. Though there have been a number of revivals since.

Pop Quiz was a British television quiz programme that originally aired on BBC1 from 4th July 1981 to 28th December 1984 with a Top of the Pops special on 4th January 1994 hosted by Mike Read. It was then revived from 21st May to 9th July 1994 on the same channel but this time hosted by Chris Tarrant (Toyah also guested on this series, alongside Pete Burns). It was revived again on Red TV from 14th June to 30th August 2008 with Mike Read returning as host. He also hosted two specials on BBC Four in December 2016 and January 2017 – Please click on the caps below for larger versions.

Christmas 2012, BBC Radio 4 aired Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas on 20th December. An interesting look back at the golden years of the UK’s biggest pop magazine of the Eighties. The programme included contributions from Tennant, various Smash Hits editors and writers, and Toyah, talking about Smash Hits in general and her Brave New World cover from the Summer of 1982.

Neil Tennant had a life as a journalist before he became famous as a Pet Shop Boy. In fact, it was on a Smash Hits trip to New York that he had his big breakthrough with the record producer Bobby O. The half-hour programme isn’t currently available at BBC iPlayer but you can click below to listen to a recording of the programme at You Tube.

Toyah’s December/Christmas 2018 blog is available to read at toyahwillcox.com.

Christmas 2016, Toyah attended a ceremony to be inducted into the Birmingham Walk Of Stars.

Toyah 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.“

• See news on Toyah attending the Birmingham Walk Of Stars event here and here. (Photo © Birmingham Mail)