Above is a newly revealed 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' picture of Toyah, and the MySpace profile image. Below is a screenshot of the new TOYAH EXCLUSIVE MySpace. Please click on either to visit said Space.

Insomnia has been the bane of my life since I was 14. Most nights I have just four hours' sleep, much of it broken, and I generally start my day at 4am. So if anyone was qualified to review this book, it would be me.

Although many people reach for sleeping pills, I absolutely loathe the things. My view is the only way to try to solve the problem is naturally. And this is exactly what physiotherapist and Pilates teacher Sammy Margo believes.

Margo offers lots of practical advice; if your mattress is more than eight years old, it will have deteriorated and will not support the spine as efficiently. A good point, as I don't think I've bought a new bed in 30 years!

Go to bed at regular times, have complete darkness and no TV or computer in the bedroom.

She also tells you to wear socks as many people lose sleep due to cold feet. This is so true. I am forever resting my freezing cold feet against my husband's very warm back. I suspect this book is best for the new insomniac, as, unfortunately, it did nothing for me.

So it's back, I'm afraid, to a world of 4am starts - although at least my feet are now warm. 

“Some women,” whispers the photographer discreetly, “just look better and better as they get older.”

Toyah Willcox, the once pink-tressed princess of punk, has turned 50.The pin-up anarchist – Helen of Troy meets Vivienne Westward - who sang of mystery and freedom does, indeed, look wonderful... grown up (wild hair-dyes now ditched along with extravagant make-up)… and beautiful - yes; but a beauty neither conventional (nothing is conventional about Toyah) nor vapid. As you might expect from the girl at the forefront of a movement whose safety-pin fashion jabbed at world complacency, even her youthful appearance is a challenge to hypocrisy. Her best-selling Diary Of A Facelift, published three years ago, is an overt Death-to-Wrinkles surgical extravaganza. There’s no mystery to her Peter Pan-smooth skin.

“I’ve been lied to so much; I can’t bear lying back,” she explains. “Women who look great - slim and young - are forever saying it’s all down to good genes. It simply isn’t true! You need to tell other women that, if you want to look good at 50, you starve yourself; you live by calorie restriction; you have surgery; you have Botox; you save money for it and don’t go on holiday.” (Though she does lay out buttery croissants for us in the sunny garden that leads down to the River Avon - and eats one herself.)

“The one problem I have with the acting industry - and that the industry has with me - is they all expect you to have Botox but they expect you to say you don’t. And I don’t like it.”

Forthright; true to herself. She once went to a read-through with George Cukor and Katharine Hepburn with hair dyed so red the American film director invited her to “take her hat off” before they began.

On paper, that forthrightness can be scary. She returns the pre-interview questions I submit with the seemingly-dismissive note, “I’m a bit tired of reading 'freakish' interviews after editors get their hands on them.”

But face to face, it’s different: not the kind of honesty that pushes you away, but draws you in. You fear you’re looking at uncompromising, uncaring truthfulness; and then you discover it’s disarming frankness instead.

If you want metaphors, it’s the same with her house, for first impressions are misleading here, too. I was half expecting a mansion hidden behind a Berlin Wall of trees, in Greta Garbo countryside, approached by a mile of distancing drive and moated by acres of defensive fields. Well, she has lived in places like that – she and her husband (the rock legend Robert Fripp of King Crimson) once owned Cecil Beaton’s old pad, Reddish House in Wiltshire, with nearly six acres of landscape and water garden. But for a couple who’ve had their fair share of weird stalkers and obsessive compliment-payers – and don’t forget that Toyah worked with Jill Dando on the Holiday programme - their current home is startlingly on view. It is Georgian-fronted and grand – but the front door opens straight onto the streets of the market town of Pershore.

You can read the rest of this article in the October issue of Cotswold Life. See our subscription offer on the home page.

The Rocky Horror Show, with music and lyrics by Richard O'Brien, was born at the Royal Court's tiny Theatre Upstairs on June 16, 1973, and went on to become an international stage smash hit and a major film. 

Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Tribute Show is a concert featuring the music from The Rocky Horror Show, and was recorded at the Royal Court, London, in May 2006, to an audience of faithful Rocky Horror fans. Richard O'Brien rewrote the narration for the show, and a cast of performers was put together, some from the original show, and others who have appeared in productions during its 33-year history. 

Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, Little Nell and Rayner Bourton, members of the original stage cast, and are back together for the first time. They are joined by one of the best Frank-N-Furters ever, Anthony Head, as well as original Transylvanians from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Also featured are a host of famous names as singers and narrators, including Michael Ball, Adrian Edmondson, Sophie Lawrence,Toyah Willcox, Stephen Gately, Tony Slattery, Robin Cousins, Christopher Biggins and Jamie Theakston.

The Rocky Horror Show is a magical phenomenon unlike anything ever seen before on stage or screen. Borrowing largely from cinema's horror conventions, the story begins as an innocent young couple, Brad and Janet, are stranded at the castle of a mad scientist who is building the perfect man. The castle is filled with a most bizarre group of characters who worship their master, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, in leather jacket, pearls, fishnet stockings, and heavy makeup. Brad and Janet are forced to examine their own sexuality as the voluptuous doctor releases the hidden desires in each of them. The show features unforgettable song-and-dance numbers such as `Time Warp' and `Sweet Transvestite', which have come to represent the sexual liberation of the 1970s. 

Contributions from the sale of this DVD will go to Amnesty International.

This is a must-have DVD for all Rocky Horror fans!

STARRING: Richard O'Brien, Anthony Head, Michael Ball

SINGERS: Patricia Quinn, Adrian Edmondson, Sophie Lawrence, Kraig Thornber, Toyah Willcox, Amy Field, Anthony Head, Gary Amers, Ben Richards, Joanne Farrell, Stephen Gately, Julian Littman, Michael Ball, Little Nell

NARRATORS: Richard O'Brien, Tony Slattery, Robin Cousins, Rayner Bourton, Steve Pemberton, Christopher Biggins, Jamie Theakston

Music & Lyrics Richard O'Brien
Directed for the stage by Christopher Luscombe
Producer Simon Flind
Director: Robin Lough

The opening takes place on Saturday 11th October at 10am, followed by an Exclusive Talk/Workshop from Toyah.

A weekend devoted to total wellbeing through holistic healthcare, complementary medicine, and alternative spirituality... Recharge, rejuvinate and take control of your life.

Awareness for Beginners with Toyah. An informal talk followed by Q&A opportunity. 

Toyah is not an expert and has no qualifications in this field, but she firmly believes that by becoming aware of your dietary habits you can become
more conscious of your health – good or bad. Of course we are always being blamed for eating too much or too little, but stress effects the way we eat and what we eat. 

The phases of the Moon effect us all, and by becoming aware of this simple truth we can accept that outside influences are just that – external - and perhaps we can then make time to pause for thought before we conclude that the world is against us. 

Some foods just do not suit certain people and some phases of the Moon make people unhappy or completely overjoyed. It is worth observing how the seasons, the Moon and diet effect us, but not rule us, so we can then get on with being our real selves. 

Toyah offers no cures, instead simple insights with the intention that it is never too late to improve your diet, your awareness and your quality of life.

Entrance to the event is £5 (£3 concessions) on the door. 

The show runs for two days; Sat 11th / Sun 12th October, 10am to 5pm both days. Toyah will only be at this event on the Saturday.

Pittville Pump Room, 
East Approach Drive,
Cheltenham. GL52 3JE
www.naturalhealthshows.co.uk 

Contact Natural Living: 
Tel: 01933 652445

Featuring: Natalie Morse, Gene Bervoets, Toyah Willcox, Pete Postlethwaite, Christopher Eccleston, Michael Pas, Brenda Bertin, Annette Badland, Veronica Quilligan & Julie T. Wallace.

The author's memories run alongside contributions from among the thousands of readers of the website, as well as many 80s stars!

'An unashamed look at the best and the worst of the decade that brought us Madonna, Jive Bunny, Sinclair ZX computers, Margaret Thatcher, A Flock of Seagulls, Duran Duran, legwarmers, the Walkman, breakdancing, Fame, Brat Pack movies, the Rubik's cube and countless other icons that changed pop culture for ever'.

When Toyah Willcox bought her tiny flat in the leafy suburb of Chiswick, west London, she found it was the perfect place for entertaining famous friends. 

Toyah counts David Bowie, Marilyn Manson and Adam Ant among her mates. She says casually: "The drummer from REM stays here when he's in town. 

"It's a tiny flat," she adds. "We usually have drinks here, then eat out. Chiswick is perfect for that as there are so many great restaurants just a short walk away." 

The only problem is negotiating the perils of that striking spiral staircase after a drink or two. 

"It can be tricky after a night out. I've tumbled down a few times!" admits the singer and presenter. 

Still, it's a small price to pay for having such a great crash pad in the capital. 

Over the past 15 years, she's transformed the one-bed bolthole into her city sanctuary, although her main home is in Worcestershire, and she has a house in the south of France too. 

Despite the fact that the properties are owned by her and her husband, musician Robert Fripp, Toyah, 50, is the one who spends most time at the flat. 

The couple have an unconventional relationship and rarely spend more than 12 weeks a year living together. But the arrangement works for Toyah, who loves her own space. 

She's given the flat a lick of paint and picked up unique accessories on her travels to make the place her own. She also plans to create her own music studio, as she loves impromptu jamming sessions with her rocker friends. 

And the area is a celeb haven, with numerous famous faces living nearby. "It's a great community," Toyah says. "Phill Jupitus and Mark Lamarr live nearby, so I love coming home here." 

Now all she has to worry about is that pesky staircase! 

Toyah is currently touring the UK in the musical Vampires Rock. For more info, go to Vampiresrock.debzwebz.biz. 

1. SOFA “This is from Habitat, circa 1983 – it’s been in many different homes over the years, but is still in perfect nick.”

2. CHAIRS “These Indian chairs were gathering dust in an antiques shop in Worcester. I like the mother-of-pearl inlay – the craftsmanship is beautiful.”

3. MIRROR “I got this ornate mirror from a florist’s shop in Stoke-on-Trent. It was a bit of a bargain.”

4. CUSHIONS “I enjoy injecting colour into a room. These vivid cushions are from TKMaxx.”

TOYAH'S STYLE TIPS
• Live with things you enjoy looking at and using, not what you think you should have.
• Don’t let the existing layout limit you – think about building up, out or down. Staying put and renovating is easier than getting a new place, especially during a credit crunch.
• Bring back objects, accessories, even furniture from your travels abroad – you’ll build up a unique style of your own. 

Please click here to go directly to their TV/Media Interviews section.

NB: There's a possiblity Toyah may be guesting on ITV1's Loose Women this coming week, maybe Tuesday. Though there is no mention of her on itv.com Loose Women page. The show airs weekdays at 12.30pm on the channel.

This show, like no other, has a twist of rock and a hint of comedy, is jam-packed with the greatest anthems you know and love, and you're guaranteed to be on your feet!

Along with Meatloaf impersonator Steve Steinman and Toyah, a full cast of superb singers, sexy dancers and a formidable band blast their way through some of the greatest-ever rock anthems, including We Will Rock You, Bat Out of Hell, Highway to Hell, Since You've Been Gone, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Devil Gate Drive, I Love Rock n Roll, Sweet Child of Mine, You Give Love a Bad Name and many more.

Tickets priced £21, are available from the box office on 01256 844244 or online from www.anvilarts.org.uk 

Toyah is namechecked in numerous articles relating to Leslie Ash: Face To Face. Including the Manchester Evening News, Sunday Mirror, and Leicester Mercury.

During the hour-long special Toyah talked about a new TV show she filmed, with a young band recreating her 'I Want To Be Free' video. She also talked about Vampires Rock, her favourite actress Billie Whitelaw, her gay friends, IACGMOOH!, 'Diary Of A Facelift' and cosmetic/plastic surgery in general, Derek Jarman, and what scares her most: "The scarist thing for me is a concert, with a band. I never go on that stage thinking this'll be a breeze. It's always challenging!"

Here are some more quotes from the interview, mostly about 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen':

"I always look to the future, rather than the past."

"There are only two of us on the album, Simon Darlow and me. When we were in the studio he said 'why don't you call it 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen'?"

"31 years ago I wrote my very first song with Simon, when I first moved to London."

"Robert's favourite songs are 'Sensational' and 'Latex Messiah'."

"When you're young, you're immortal, you don't think anything can change, anything bad can happen, the world is yours! In my early 20s I thought I was Boadicea, then age naturally moves you away from that."

"I had to change so that I could act and be a TV presenter. In retrospect I'm now really glad I evolved, but in my 30s it was hard. I sat it out and ironically I think that's why the new album has a certain power to it! I didn't write for 20 years, by the time I met with Simon again there was this cauldron of ideas inside me, and it was the right time.

A lot of the writing on 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' is from the perspective of my age. 'Angel In You' is about wanting an affair with someone you've known for years."

Toyah also talked about why she doesn't play album tracks at the Here & Now concerts: "I do miss playing album stuff and I'd have the opportunity to do it if I played a club tour, but I've got so much going on with writing new material and the telly work. We are lookng at some club dates for the new album next year."

Toyah talked about a variety of subjects during the 60-minute special. Here are some quick quotes from the interview: 

"Looking back to my 20s, thank God I had the opportunity to be like that then. But then I had to go away and change"

"I've always felt like a male spirit in a female body. I hardly know any heterosexual people!"

"It's really nice to be doing the images again. I didn't think I'd be doing this again. They are paradoxical and ironic."

"Adrenalin is my favourite drug!"

Toyah also talked about her music career, horror movies, and IACGMOOH! 

Phil played a It's A Mystery/Good Morning Universe/Thunder In The Mountains, as well as the full versions of Latex Messiah (Viva La Rebel In You) and Come.

Paul will be filming Vampires Rock on the Wednesday 1st October at the Anvil Theatre Basingstoke. This should air the same week that it is filmed on Channel 4. More info as and when it becomes available.

Simon co-wrote all the songs with Toyah, plays almost all the instruments, and produced the album.

The pair have previously written a number of songs together. As a songwriting duo they composed; Rebel Run, Haunted, Don't Fall In Love (I Said), I'll Serve You Well, Space Between The Sounds, Dear Diary, and Invisible Love. 

Simon Darlow also, with Toyah and various others, co-wrote; Love Is The Law, Martian Cowboy, Remember and Goodbye Baby. He has contributed to the Toyah albums Love Is The Law, Minx, Desire, and Take The Leap!

Simon says: "For nearly 30 years I have been fortunate enough to make my living from something I love, music. I have worked in various genres, having written and co-written hits for many artists including Grace Jones (Slave To The Rhythm), Toyah, Dollar (Give Me Back My Heart), Elkie Brooks, Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Leo Sayer and Martine McCutcheon. I have arranged and played for, among others, Musical Youth (Pass the Dutchie), Wham, Buggles, Divynals, Bucks Fizz and Right Said Fred. 

I've played on numerous TV shows (with very high hair!), including TOTP with Don Henley, and as an artist I recorded two albums for Magnet Records. I have composed and produced over 60 TV theme tunes and scores including Supermarket Sweep, Wags Boutique, CH 5 Sport, BBC Outtake TV and The Volvo Ocean Race 05-'06"

"As long as the music is loud enough, we won't hear the world falling apart."

Bad girl Toyah Willcox is Mad, a pyromaniac who embodies the "No Future" ethos of punk and would rather continue to tear the world down than build it back up. And future popstar Adam Ant plays the Kid, a true-to-life portrayal of an ambitious young singer who wants to be on television. Infamous cross-dressing performer Wayne County also appears in a minor role as one of Borgia's stable, and the all-girl band the Slits play a street gang seen trussing up a tearful debutante.

I should note, though, that just as the attacks are getting underway, there is one rather effective scene with Toyah Willcox. When her character, Mad, finally gets to unleash all of her pent-up anger by attacking one of the cops, she ends up breaking down, shocked by her own actions. It's a powerful moment, and Wilcox goes through a torrent of emotions. Her moment of humanity lingers with the viewer, making what is to come all the more shocking by how quickly that moment passes.

Read the full article here.

'Ieya' wasn't released until 1980 but we won't quibble about that, it's just great to have that song on a compilation at last, especially one as cramed full of fantastic music as this set. Curiously, Toyah wasn't included in Sony's 'The Edge Of The Eighties' CD set released earlier this year.

Tracklist: (CD1): 1. David Bowie - Sound & Vision / 2. Blondie - (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear / 3. Martha & The Muffins - Echo Beach / 4. Patti Smith - Because The Night / 5. The B-52s - Rock Lobster / 6. The Rezillos - Top Of The Pops / 7. The Undertones - Teenage Kicks / 8. Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers - Roadrunner / 9. Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / 10. Lene Lovich - Lucky Number / 11. Toyah - IEYA / / 12. The Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap / 13. The Jam - Strange Town .14. Secret Affair - Time For Action / 15. Jags - Back Of My Hand / 16. The Beat - Mirror In The Bathroom / 17. The Adverts - Gary Gilmore's Eyes / 18. The Ruts - Babylon's Burning / 19. The Members - Sound Of The Suburbs.

Tracklist: (CD2): 1. Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead / 2. X-Ray Spex - Germfree Adolescents / 3. Siouxsie & The Banshees - Playground Twist / 4. The Cure - Boys Don't Cry / 5. Joy Division - Transmission / 6. Public Image Ltd - Death Disco / 7. Gary Numan - Complex / 8. Human League - Being Boiled / 9. Japan - European Son / 10. Flying Lizards - TV / 11. Telex - Rock Around The Clock 
12. John Foxx - Underpass / 13. Giorgio Moroder - From Here To Eternity / 14. New Musik - Straight Lines / 15. Fad Gadget - Back To Nature / 16. Ultravox - Rockwrok / 17. The Psychedelic Furs - Sister Europe / 18. The Tourists - I Only Want To Be With You.

Tracklist: (CD3): 1. Ramones - Baby, I Love You / 2. Nick Lowe - I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass / 3. The Cars - My Best Friend's Girl / 4. The Pretenders - Kid / 5. Mink De Ville - Spanish Stroll / 6. Marianne Faithfull - Broken English / 7. M - Pop Muzik / 8. Quantum Jump - The Lone Ranger / 9. Jona Lewie - You'll Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties / 10. Regents - 7Teen / 11. Jilted John - Jilted John / 12. Adam & The Ants - Car Trouble / 13. Buzzcocks - Promises / 14. XTC - Making Plans For Nigel / 15. Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out With Him? / 16. Squeeze - Up The Junction / 17. The Only Ones - Another Girl, Another Planet / 18. John Cooper Clarke - Gimmix! Play Loud. 

The Edge Of The 70s is not just another 70s album. It's for the discerning music fan, or anyone with a keen interest in the late 70s, an era that has inspired many of today's artists such as Kings Of Leon, Babyshambles and Interpol to name just a few. This eclectic 3CD collection includes British rock legends Cure with Boys Don't Cry, moving into living legend Patti Smith Because The Night, and the iconic Blondie I'm Always Touched By Your Prescence Dear. The album gets even better with superstar David Bowie's Sounds & Vision, Gary Numan's Complex and ending with Joe Jackson Is She Really Going Out With Him.

I'm sure Orange are thrilled someone with famously orange hair won ;)

Tormented Amy Winehouse’s beehive has been voted one of the worst hairdos in music history. 

The druggie singer, 25, looks scarier than 1980s Kajagoogoo popster Limahl, 49, and lanky 1990s Placebo singer Brian Molko, 35.

But even Amy was not rock bottom in the poll. 

The flowing blond locks of 1980s crooner Michael Bolton, 55, the catastrophic mop of Charlatans pin-up Tim Burgess, 40, and the disaster quiff of Carter USM singer Jim “Jim Bob” Morrison, 47, won them higher horror rankings. 

Among the best barnets in the survey by mobile phone giant Orange were those of 50-year-old ex-punk Toyah Willcox, rocker Rod Stewart, 63, and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, 36. 

They were joined by angry Prodigy singer Keith Flint, 39, Guns N’ Roses screecher Axl Rose, 46, and Thin White Duke David Bowie, 61. 

A spokesman for the music division of Orange said: “There have been some terrible hairdos in music and it’s great to see the old culprits are still causing a bit of a stir.” 

CRAP CROP 5 
1. Jim Bob (Carter USM) 94% 
2. Tim Burgess (Charlatans) 87% 
3. Michael Bolton 82% 
4. Amy Winehouse 80% 
5. Limahl 78% 

TOP CROP 5 
1. Toyah Willcox 54% 
2. Rod Stewart 52% 
3. Liam Gallagher 40% 
4. Keith Flint (Prodigy) 39%
5. Axl Rose 35% 

Toyah was amazing she came on to a massive cheer from the crowd and from then on the cheering never stopped. The band and the cast also did a superb job blasting there way through all the tracks with ease and skill.

Source: Official Vampires Rock News

However, there's no doubt that Breamore thoroughly enjoyed rolling back the years in the company of some of the biggest chart acts of the 80s.

Saturday night saw Breamore Proms, staged in the grounds of the Elizabethan manor house, successfully recreate the decade of big hair and power ballads.

Altered Images, Toyah, Paul Young, Belinda Carlisle, Kim Wilde, Bananarama and Kid Creole and the Coconuts made up an impressive line-up.

For great pictures see the September 18 edition of the Salisbury Journal

Vampires Rock has a twist of rock, a hint of musical theatre and is packed with rock anthems. Toyah stars as the Devil Queen, the long-suffering wife of Baron Von Rockula.

Tickets are £20.50-£22.50 on 0845 127 2190

Toyah Willcox is the latest big name to sign up for a tour with Bingham based production 'Vampires Rock.' Toyah and Steve Steinman, the show's creator, were guests with Alan Clifford on Drivetime, and Alan asked about Toyah's new album, 'In The Court of the Crimson Queen'.....

Toyah says that it was Simon Darlow who suggested calling the album 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen', that Robert loves the album title ("at last my husband's done something for my career!!") , and that she is glad she used it, "It's been a bit of a blessing so far!"

Toyah also explains her comment about Madonna from last week's 'Telegraph' and as anyone would have guessed she was misquoted. She explained the interview was supposed to have been about Vampires Rock but the hack had a different agenda. She said: "He completely fabricated a hate relationship between me and Madonna. And apparently I'm a failure... I hope that journalist gets exposed for the dishonest human being he is."

Toyah even gives Simon Phillips a namecheck during this.

To listen to this please click on the image above and choose Tuesday's Click of the Day.

The album is currently at Number 22 on the iTunes Plus Rock Album chart, Number 79 on the itunes Plus Album chart, and Number 86 on the iTunes Rock Album chart.

These lists are updated periodically throughout the day so this info will be totally out of date in a few hours time ;)

Bella: Two page interview titled "My Career went through the roof after my facelift!". It features a number of great pictures of Toyah. Issue dated 23rd September 2008, Pages 58/59.

Hello!: Half page interview titled "Toyah Willcox-why she's no desperate housewife". Issue dated 23rd September 2008, Page 120.

Woman: Features a picture of Leslie Ash interviewing Toyah alongside their interview with Leslie (from next week's Leslie Ash: Face to Face ITV1 documentary.

Toyah is also namechecked in a number of TV Guides and Celebrity magazines in features relating to the Leslie Ash docu.

Gaydar Radio: Online @ www.gaydarradio.com
On Digital Radio in London, the South East and Across the Sussex Coast and across the UK on Sky 0158.

Set in New York in the year 2030, the undead are livelier than ever, especially in the club Live and Let Die, where Baron Von Rockula and the Devil Queen reside.

The Baron is on the look out for a new bride and spots an innocent, aspiring singer, Pandora, who stumbles across the club while looking for a job.

The Baron and his sidekick, Stringfellow, attempt to convince Pandora to lose her soul to rock and roll.

The show, to be staged on October 6, features breathtaking pyrotechnics and songs made famous by the likes of AC/DC, Guns N' Roes, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Queen and many more.

For more details on the show visit www.vampiresrock.com 

The performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced from £19.50, are available from the Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2325 or via www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk

NB: The 'Weston & Somerset Mercury' is also running a competition to win tickets for Vampires Rock. Click here for this.

Toyah stars as the Devil Queen, the long suffering wife of Baron Von Rockula, played by Steve Steinman. 

A show like no other, Vampires Rock has a twist of rock, a hint of musical theatre and is jam packed with the greatest anthems you know and love.

Set in New York in the year 2030, the undead are livelier than ever, especially in club Live And Let Die, where Baron Von Rockula and The Devil Queen reside.

Toyah explained: “My husband, the Baron, is on the look out for a new bride, but not if I have anything to do with it! I would say ‘over my dead body’, but then I’m already dead, aren’t I?”

The new bride in question is innocent, aspiring singer, Pandora (Emily Clark), who stumbles across the club in need of a job. 

Cue a host of classic rock, played live by the Baron’s hand-picked band, The Lost Boys, and a hint of comedy, as the Baron and his sidekick, Stringfellow (Mike Taylor) attempt to convince Pandora to lose her soul to rock and roll!

With songs made famous by the likes of AC/DC, Guns N’Roses, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Joan Jett, Suzi Quatro, Queen and many more, you’ll be rocking in the aisles (or on your knees with your air guitar above your head!).

Toyah said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the show. I’ve done a lot of theatre in the past and this is so much fun. Where else could you get to dress up in costumes like this and sing your favourite rock songs?”

An amazing stage set, pyrotechnics to blow your mind, beautiful dancers and of course Steve Steinman’s famously powerful vocals and sense of humour, make sure this a show not to be missed.

Tickets cost £18 & £20 on 0844 847 2315 or www.princesstheatre.org.uk

Please see below for information and quotes from five of the interviews. The BBC Radio Coventry and BBC Radio Norfolk don't seem to be available on "Listen Again". All of the others, currently, are.

After all the hype, where was Toyah?

It was previously mentioned, and states on the Vampires Rock promo flyer that she wouldn't be appearing at Stables Theatre, Wavendon, Milton Keynes (13th September). The dates she does appear on are listed at www.toyahwillcox.com and Toyah's Official MySpace.

The only other date on the tour she isn't appearing at is the Broadway Theatre, Peterborough on 1st November.

Among many things, Toyah talked about Vampires Rock, punk/new wave, Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen', and the Here & now gigs.

When asked if she was still as feisty and rebellious as she was early in her career, she replied: "I'm a business woman now but I'm still feisty!". The interviewer mentioned blue hair, with Steve and Toyah both jokingly saying it was now a "blue rinse". Toyah continued: "It's a better world for women today. I am still rebellious, I will always push boundaries and I will always be feisty!"

When asked which female icon she enjoyed playing most, Calamity Jane or Cruella De Ville, she said "Dora Marr (in Picasso's Women), and talked about her time playing her in Edinburgh with Steven Berkoff in Messiah in the adjoining venue back in 2000.

Toyah went on to say: "Women's voices improve right up into their middle age. I really thought I'd retired from the recording world but the album is doing well. I still love acting on camera and for the next 10 years I want to be honing my craft more."

Of Vampires Rock she concluded: "It's a lot of fun!!"

To listen to this (while it's still available) click on the BBC Radio Essex logo. Click on the "Listen Again" button and choose The Midday Show. The interview is approximately 1hrs 6mins into the show.

This started with talk about Quadrophenia in general, and Phil Daniels doing panto in Sheffield in particular. Toyah found this hilarious. Of the film she said: "It brought a new generation into our career, and it still does every five to 10 years."

Talking about her early career and the effect she had, she said: "I have changed the world. I lifted that glass ceiling for many women in music. People like me, Kim Wilde, Hazel O'Connor and Cyndi Lauper."

She also talked about Brum and Teletubbies: " Teletubbies has done more for my career than anything. I told the creator it was one of the best things since The Magic Roundabout. I love voicing cartoons."

Gareth played a short clip of 'Lesser God' with Toyah enthusing: " I love the bassline. As soon as that kicks in I'm jumping round the room!!" Gareth said it was brilliant, Toyah 1981, Toyah back to her best.

Toyah also metioned her new album, how it was doing on iTunes. And she mentioned the film she will be making in 2009, Power of Three.

"It's Spinal Tap with teeth. It's very funny and the music is great" is what Toyah said about Vampires Rock.

To listen to this (while it's still available) click on the BBC Radio Sheffield logo. Click on the "Listen Again" button and choose The Gareth Evans Show. The interview is approximately 2hrs 12mins into the show.

Charlie asked Toyah about why she got involved with Vampires Rock. She said:  "I've been following it for about four years. I kept hearing really good things about it. Being offered it coincided with me creating new music, new looks, new images - and culminated in me releasing my new album, which was out yesterday."

Steve said: "We thought of Toyah for the show because she is out there. She tours, she works!"

Toyah said: "My first entrance is demonic and terrifying. But I also play the lovey-dovey woman, and the betrayed woman. The audience love it, including all the women. My costumes are based on the Glam Rock era, '72 to '74, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry..."

She also managed to compare Vampires Rock and panto to the way in which Skakespeare performed and interacted with an audience at the Globe Theatre.

Toyah talked a little about her childhood, that her mother was very strict and a disciplinarian, but also that the tough upbringing had taught her respect. And that age and life-experience had given her confidence.

Of 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' Toyah said: "I didn't expect to bring an album out. I thought I'd retired from making albums."

'Lesser God' was played in full. She said of the song: "That came from a conversation I had with REM's drummer (Bill Rieflin). He said he could never feel love or trust. I wrote it from a woman's point of view on that."

To listen to this (while it's still available) click on the BBC Radio Solent logo. Click on the "Listen Again" button and choose The Charlie Crocker Show. The interview is approximately 1hr 42mins into the show.

The interview began with 'Lesser God' being played. What is evident from all of these interviews is that Toyah was/is intent on promoting 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' as well as Vampires Rock. She mentions it during every interview.

During this Toyah again talked about her career in general. She said of Vampires Rock: " Playing the Devil Queen allows me to be purely evil for two hours each evening!"

She also talked about her costumes, and the eight-inch-high platform boots she wears onstage.

Steve mentioned that there is a possibility that Vampires Rock will play in Las Vegas at some point in the future.

To listen to this (while it's still available) click on the BBC Radio Bristol logo. Click on the "Listen Again" button and choose The Richard Lewis Show. The interview is approximately 30mins into the show.

Toyah and Steve's guest apearance was part of the stations "Glam Rock Day" and Andrew had been talking about Alvin Stardust immediately before introducing Toyah and Steve.

Toyah, again, talked about the new album and its initial success. Both Toyah and Steve joked this was all down to her involvement with Vampires Rock.

A very brief burst of 'Lesser God' was played. Toyah talked about her musical influences: "Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Bryan Ferry..."

She said her favourite song from that era was: "David Bowie's 'Starman'. It was the beginning of Glam Rock".

Toyah also talked about how great the musicians and dancers ("I'm feeding them donuts!") were on Vampires Rock.

To listen to this (while it's still available) click on the BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester logo. Click on the "Listen Again" button and choose The Andrew Easton Show. The interview is almost immediate, a mere two minutes into the show.

The cruel fraudsters are claiming to represent Birmingham organisation Melody, whose patron is Brummie celebrity Toyah Willcox.

The Charity Commission is investigating the scam, which could be netting crooks thousands of pounds, and police have also been alerted.

Music teacher Rosie Cross, from Northfield, Birmingham, set up Melody in 1994 so that youngsters with learning disabilities could be taught to play the piano and other instruments.

Read the full article here.

Listen out for updates on air, or check Phil's blog at www.gaydarradio.com for further details on when the interview will hit the airwaves.

Don't forget that Toyah and Steve are omnipresent on various radio stations tomorrow. See the news update below for further information.

People have been enthusing about how great her voice is, how good the lyrics and songs are, and generally that the entire vibe of the album is an absolute return to form. In my (very, very humble;)) opinion I think this is Safari era Toyah colliding with Toyah 2008 and both elements have conspired to create Toyah's finest album since the mighty 'Love is The Law' (heck! This website wouldn't have a name if it wasn't for that album). And I say that fully acknowledging that a lot of people, Toyah included, don't particularly feel the need to "look back".

If you want to read (some) fan views of the album, and other 'Crimson Queen' related musings, please visit Dreamscape's Forum.

Don't forget that 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' is available at iTunes from tomorrow, 15th September.

I'll be adding some screen caps from the BBC Breakfast interview soon.

Once hailed the ultimate girl next door, Leslie Ash was a tabloid sweetheart until an operation to plump up her lips went terribly wrong. 

The disastrous results left her with massively over-inflated lips and she was branded the ‘comedy blonde’, ‘old trout’ and ‘fish face’ by the press. 

Now, for the first time, Leslie talks about her experience and investigates what went wrong with her face, why it was allowed to happen and if there’s anything that can be done to fix it. 

“I’ve been called names and I’ve been dragged through the British press,” explains Leslie. 

“Since I had ‘that’ lip job I’ve been held up as the poster girl for all that’s wrong with the cosmetic beauty industry – and there’s lots wrong with it. I think if I could do something about it, then I’d like to.” 

She adds: “What I wanted was a simple cosmetic lip plump, what I got was, well, you all know how it ended. They had used a cocktail of something and injected into somewhere they hadn’t before. It just had a very bad reaction and went hard.” 

In Leslie Ash: Face to Face, the actress examines the rapidly growing cosmetic industry while meeting professionals and patients. These include the man who needed a skin graft after an injectable filler lead to infection and a woman having the latest trend in cosmetic surgery – the boob jab. 

She also visits old friend, Toyah Willcox who talks openly about the procedures she’s had, describing her face and neck-lift and a lower-lift to remove her jowls. Will it tempt Leslie to consider going under the knife again herself?

The singer turned actress plays the long suffering wife of Baron Von Rockula (Steve Steinman) in the production, which comes to town on 16th and 17th October. 

Says Toyah: "My husband, the Baron, is on the look out for a new bride, but not if I have anything to do with it! I would say 'over my dead body', but then I'm already dead, aren't I!" 

Set in New York in the year 2030, the undead are livelier than ever, especially in club 'Live and Let Die' where Baron Von Rockula and The Devil Queen reside. 

With songs made famous by the likes of AC/DC, Guns n' Roses, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Joan Jett, Suzi Quatro and Queen, the show also features an amazing stage set, pyrotechnics and dancers. 

"If the people of Mansfield are anything like the other Nottinghamshire people I have recently met, then I know we will have a really good time," Said Toyah, who has appeared on reality TV shows I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! and I'm Famous and Frightened!. 

"Mansfield is also the only venue on the tour where we are playing two nights, so hopefully I shall get to see a bit of the town! I'm aware that the town is on a bit of a high right now after your girl Rebecca Adlington won her two gold medals, hopefully we can keep the party atmosphere going when we play with Vampires at the Palace!" 

How do you feel about comparisons to other bands and artists?
Doll: I mainly like the comparisons because we've been compared to people like Mila Jovovich, Kate Bush and Toyah Willcox which a lot of people find funny. Blondie also, you know? Old skool people I don't mind being compared to because they're my favorites.

Read the full interview here.

Cherry Red : Rockworld.TV - Monday 15th September : 8.00pm
Cherry Red : Rockworld.TV - Sunday 21st September : 3.00pm
Cherry Red : Rockworld.TV - Friday 26th September : 2.00pm
Cherry Red presents classic iconic punk/indie star Toyah Willcox live in Wolverhampton, 2005.

Maigret & The Hotel Majestic : ITV3 - Tue 16th September : 2.55pm
Maigret & The Hotel Majestic : ITV3 - Wed 17th September : 1.10am
Maigret and The Hotel Majestic. Detective mystery series. Maigret is called to the scene when a beautiful woman is found dead in the basement of the Hotel Majestic with a gun in her handbag. The Chief Inspector's investigations initially centre around the staff at the hotel - until he discovers that the woman's husband booked a trip to Rome that he never made. Starring: Michael Gambon, Geoffrey Hutchings, Jack Galloway, James Larkin and Toyah Willcox.

Leslie Ash: Face to Face : ITV1 - Tuesday 23rd September : 9.00pm
Leslie Ash was once a tabloid sweetheart and named the ultimate girl next door thanks to starring roles in Quadrophenia and Men Behaving Badly, but when she opted for a lip-filler to combat the signs of ageing, the results were disastrous. Leslie talks about her experience and investigates what went wrong and why it was allowed to happen. She examines the rapidly growing cosmetic beauty industry and highlights the lack of regulation which should serve as a warning to anyone considering treatment.

Former punk rocker Toyah Willcox has accused Madonna of being "ashamed" of singing her classic Eighties tracks.

Willcox said she could "hear the audience groan" when she went to see the London-based American star play at Wembley. 

Speaking as she prepared to return to the stage for a live show singing rock classics, she said of live artists: "People want to hear their hits and not their arty songs." 

She added: "When I went to see Madonna at Wembley she did an hour of B sides and you could hear the audience groan." 

She concluded: "I just don't think people should be ashamed of the hits that mean so much to so many people." 

The Queen of Pop does appear to have taken some of Willcox's advice already, singing Like A Virgin to an audience in Rome. Madonna, 50, controversially dedicated the performance to Pope Benedict XVI. 

But Willcox, also 50, said she did not think Madonna and other live performing artists knew what their fans really wanted - which she maintained was to hear the anthems of the past. 

While Madonna has embarked on her latest worldwide tour, Willcox is playing a devil queen in a sing-along extravaganza called Vampires Rock, in which members of the audience are invited to dress up in costume. A national 44-date tour begins on Friday at the 650-capacity Majestic Theatre in Retford, Notts. 

The live show, a cross between the Rocky Horror Picture Show and We Will Rock You, is a vehicle for a string of hits belted out by her and the show's founder Steve Steinman, such as Alice Cooper's School's Out For Summer and Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N' Roses. 

Willcox enthused: "People are coming to hear the music. When they come along they are baying for blood. People want the hits." 

She said the appetite for nostalgic music had never been stronger. "I'm making more money out of music now that I was in 1981." 

Steinman, who plays Baron von Rockula in the "fang-tastic rock musical", said Britons were becoming more and more willing to shed their inhibitions for a night of outright fun. 

But he added Southerners still needed some convincing to get into the spirit of things. "Those in the north tend to dress up more," he said. 

Toyah will talk to Phil about her new album, 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen', and the stage show Vampires Rock in an exclusive interview for GaydarRadio.

Gaydar Radio: Online @ www.gaydarradio.com
On Digital Radio in London, the South East and Across the Sussex Coast and across the UK on Sky 0158.

Email: studio@gaydarradio.com
Studio phone in: 0700 4 429327 (0700 4 GAYDAR)
Studio Text: 07766 112 449

I have to say I love the album, it is an absolute return to form and Toyah is sounding fantastic. 'Bad Man' and 'Come' are both real departures for her and are probably my favourite two songs right now, with 'Legacy' a close third. The artwork and CD booklet are also fantastic. Thanks Craig, Alan and everyone else involved.

Please click to the right for Dreamscape's short review of the album. Happy Listening!

These are available (for a limited time) to watch again at the BBC i-player. Look for the episodes titled 'Confident' and 'Honest'.

Toyah releases her hotly-anticipated new studio album, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen this September. In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is the first ever Toyah studio album to be given a digital release simultaneously through iTunes. It follows last autumn's digital single Latex Messiah (Viva La Rebel In You) which reached number 6 in the iTunes Plus Rock Charts. 

The album is released digitally via iTunes on Monday 15 September, with a deluxe digital artwork booklet.  The physical CD album release is available at venues on the Vampires Rock UK Tour (opening 12 September) www.vampiresrock.com and by mail order through renowned music site, Remember the Eighties' Webshop www.remembertheeighties.com 

Toyah's first full length Toyah studio album in fourteen years is a contemporary rock album with nods to glam rock and the highly influential Marc Bolan and David Bowie – both referenced and revered by today's pop/rock artists including Scissor Sisters and Mika. The 10-track album is written by Toyah Willcox and Simon Darlow, long time collaborators responsible for Toyah's classic 1980s hit singles Rebel Run and Don't Fall In Love. Key tracks on In The Court Of The Crimson Queen include the anthemic Sensational - JUST PLAYLISTED BY BBC RADIO LONDON,  Love Crazy (Iggy Pop meets Girls Aloud), the Youtube "hit" Heal Ourselves and the soaring, rock ballad Legacy. 

Toyah will perform the album track Lesser God in the nationwide UK tour of Vampires Rock, in which she guest stars as The Devil Queen. Vampires Rock opens on 12 September at the Majestic Theatre, Retford and tours 42 venues nationwide until December 2008.  Latex Messiah, Heal Ourselves, Sensational and Lesser God all have striking accompanying videos created exclusively for The Official Toyah Youtube Channel.  The title of the album is a tongue in cheek reference to her husband, Robert Fripp's / King Crimson's Platinum-selling album In The Court Of The Crimson King. 

In a career spanning over 30 years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, recorded 20 albums, written 2 books, appeared in over 40 stage plays, made 10 feature films and presented hundreds of television programmes from The Good Sex Guide Late to Songs Of Praise.  She continues to work at the top of the league in media, music, acting and writing.  Each summer Toyah tours with other 80s artists playing castles, arenas and stately homes with the Here and Now shows which have become a major success drawing audiences of up to 20,000 people. 

Simon Darlow is a renowned musician, songwriter and producer responsible for hit singles by Dollar, Buggles and the classic Grace Jones single “Slave To The Rhythm”. 

In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is written & arranged by Toyah Willcox & Simon Darlow, and produced by Simon Darlow. 

Album Track Listing: 1. Sensational, 2. Latex Messiah (Viva La Rebel In You), 3. Heal Ourselves, 4. Lesser God, 5. Angel In You, 6. Love Crazy, 7. Bad Man, 8. Hyperventilate, 9. Come , 10. Legacy.

www.toyahwillcox.com 
www.myspace.com/toyahofficial
www.youtube.com/toyahofficial 
www.vampiresrock.com 
www.remembertheeighties.com

'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' is the first ever Toyah studio album to be given a digital release simultaneously through iTunes. It follows last autumn's digital single 'Latex Messiah (Viva La Rebel In You)' which reached number 6 in the iTunes Plus Rock Charts. 

Take a look at Dreamscape's News Archive, the October and November 2007 pages are full of 'Latex Messiah (Viva La Rebel In You)'/iTunes news.

Friday 12th September:
8.30am-9am BBC Breakfast News BBC1

Tuesday 16th September: 
10.00am: BBC Radio Humberside
www.bbc.co.uk/humber/local_radio/

10.15am: BBC Radio Scotland
www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/programmes/

11.00am: BBC Radio Devon
www.bbc.co.uk/devon/local_radio/

11.15am: BBC Radio Sheffield
www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/radio_sheffield/

4.00pm: BBC Hereford & Worcester
www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/local_radio/

Various media are now covering this story, including the 'Daily Mail', 'Teletext' and 'Sky News'.

Now that she has researched the subject so intensively, she is amazed at how credulous she had been: she didn’t sign a consent form; knew little about the procedure, nothing of the potential hazards. 

All the same, in Leslie Ash: Face to Face, the singer and actress Toyah Willcox explains how a face-lift in her mid-40s led immediately to the revival of her career.

So might Leslie consider further intervention in the future? She answers with characteristic honesty. ‘Doing the documentary, I’ve met some practitioners who weren’t so good and some who were very good. I hope it shows people what not to do, and, more importantly, what to do. And I just thought how wonderful Toyah looked and, you know, never say never. 

'I want to live my life looking in the mirror and being happy with what I see.’ Does she not? ‘No, not really.

'My posture is dreadful because I have to look at my feet. There’s so much in my body that doesn’t work. I’m all right about my face, my hair. I do like looking good, but I don’t want to be one of those actresses who looks pinned, you know?’ She shrugs. ‘But in my industry, I’m damned if I don’t have surgery and damned if I do.’ 

Cherry Red : Rockworld.TV - Sunday 14th September : 4.00pm
Cherry Red : Rockworld.TV - Monday 15th September : 8.00pm
Cherry Red presents classic iconic punk/indie star Toyah Willcox live in Wolverhampton, 2005.

Leslie Ash: Face to Face : ITV1 - Tuesday 23rd September : 9.00pm

To view a full slide show of SDOACG photos, including the full version of the above picture and another of Toyah, click here.

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl : ITV2 - Thursday 11th September : 10.00pm
New series. Episode One: Belle mistakes Alex for a high-profile political client, and a journalist who wants the scoop begins to follow her. Will Belle's real identity be revealed? Meanwhile, new girl Bambi asks for advice on becoming a call girl.

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl : ITV2 - Thursday 11th September : 10.30pm
Episode Two: Belle considers getting a boob job to aid her professional development, but begins to wonder if her work life is taking over. She tries to redress the balance by going on a date with Alex, but when Bambi calls her mid-date about a client who has turned nasty, will she go to Bambi's aid?

NB: As far as I'm aware Toyah's only appearance in Series Two is in Episode One.

Return to the 1980s with the Here & Now tour at Breamore House, near Fordingbridge, next Saturday (13th September).

Seven of the greatest acts from the decade will be performing - Bananarama, pictured, Kim Wilde, Belinda Carlisle, Paul Young, Altered Images, Toyah, pictured, and Kid Creole & The Coconuts. The concert is part of the Breamore Proms weekend and as such is an outdoor, picnic style event with gates opening at 4.30pm. Music will start at 7.30pm.

In anticipation, here's some facts and figures about Toyah's album history:

• In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is Toyah's eighth solo studio album. The others are: Minx (1985), Desire (1987), Prostitute (1998), Ophelia's Shadow (1991), Take The Leap! (1993/94), Dreamchild (1994), Velvet Lined Shell (2003).

• Including all Toyah studio albums (band & solo), In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is Toyah's 13th album.

• The last time Toyah collaborated so closely, and on so many songs, with Simon Darlow was during the writing/recording of Love Is The Law in 1983. Love Is The Law was Toyah's final studio album for Safari Records, and the final album released by the Toyah band.

• 2010 will mark 30 years since the release of the first Toyah album, Sheep Farming In Barnet. There has always been some confusion about whether this was officially regarded as a studio album or not as it was made up of the SFIB EP with some extra tracks to expand it to full album status. However, most Toyah fans do consider this to be Toyah's debut album.

• Some, though, do see The Blue Meaning, released in June 1980, as the first Toyah album proper.

• The first three Toyah albums; Sheep Farming In Barnet, The Blue Meaning, and Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! were all reissued on CD and coloured vinyl in 1990. The first two were reissued again, as a double CD, in 2002, and the latter in 2006. These CDs were all expanded versions with bonus Toyah tracks.

• Toyah has mentioned previously in interviews that Prostitute and Ophelia's Shadow form part of a trilogy. The third album still hasn't been recorded as far as I'm aware.

• Toyah's 1981 album Anthem, and the follow-up, 1982's the Changeling were both successful for Toyah. In the UK this wasn't surprising but for some reason both also sold well in Norway.

• The phrase "Love is the law" is from The Book of the Law, the central sacred text of Thelema, written by Aleister Crowley.

• Ophelia's Shadow was critically acclaimed in the USA and entered the American Import chart at number 12.

• As already mentioned, Toyah's debut album, Sheep Farming In Barnet was a compilation of tracks previously released on single and EP in their own right. Velvet Lined Shell, Toyah's most recent studio album, released in 2003, can be viewed in the same way.

The one-hour programme for ITV1 will expose the true state of the industry and explain how few qualifications are needed for people setting themselves up as practitioners.

An ITV spokesman said: ‘Leslie has wanted to talk about what happened about her lips for a long time. 

‘She was nervous about doing it but she felt very strongly that now was the right time to do something. She is passionate about the subject and really wanted to highlight the fact that the industry is still so unregulated.’

The 48-year-old actress also interviews the singer Toyah Willcox about her experiences with plastic surgery.

No air date has been announced for the documentary as yet.