Cookson Summer Festival 
21st August 2005 
Cookson Summer Festival 
South Shields, Tyne & Wear (UK) 

Join Toyah in the summer sunshine as she appears along side Nick Heyward and Limahl at this outdoor festival. 

Throughout the summer, South Tyneside buzzes with kid's entertainment, rock, pop and folk music, brass bands, street theatre, fun days and Sunday concerts with a galaxy of top stars. 

The Festival is FREE so there is no excuse for not joining in the fun. 

Time: 12:30am to 05:30pm 
Price: Tickets Free 
Venue: Bents Park 
Telephone: 0191 424 7985 

What Women Really Want : UK Style - Wednesday 10th August : 11.30pm
What Women Really Want : UK Style Plus 1 - Thursday 11th August : 00.30am
Sex. Fast-paced series presented by Ulrika Jonsson, with an array of female celebrities discussing what they really want out of life in the noughties. Christine Hamilton, Toyah Willcox, Vanessa Feltz and others talk candidly about sex. Find out which celeb finds one-night stands easier than commitment, who lies to her men about sex, and who was called 'undresser' at school - naughty!

Have I Been Here Before? : ITV2 - Friday 12th August : 9.55am
Toyah Willcox recalls a life of enforced solitude in a church in 15th-century Holland, dying alone and lamenting her wasted life. Could Toyah's past life be a reflection of her own fears about her present one?

What Women Really Want : UK Style - Friday 12th August : 10.00pm
What Women Really Want : UK Style Plus 1 - Friday 12th August : 11.00pm
Money. It's grumpy old men with heels on! Er no, it's feisty high-profile women of all ages giving forth on everything from sex and singledom to plastic surgery and pregnancy. Today's hot topic is money - find out what Toyah Willcox, Jenny Eclair, Nadia Almada and other celebs have to say about loot. Narrated by Ulrika Jonsson.

The National Trust for Scotland has teamed up with Glastonbury producer Dick Tee to showcase a host of bands and solo artists at Newhailes House and Culzean Castle, in a bid to encourage a younger audience to the NTS' historical sites. And far from treading gently with this their first outing, organisers have managed to marry a line-up to accommodate all musical tastes. 

Ian Preece, NTS head of marketing, says: "There really is something for everyone - a great mix of pop, punk, opera, classic rock, swing, alternative and a bit of nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Our properties will provide an excellent backdrop and a real atmosphere for a summer evening of music." 

This week boasts a triple bill at Newhailes, near Edinburgh: on Friday New York boys the Fun Lovin' Criminals headline alongside Echo & the Bunnymen and newcomers the Beauty Shop. Saturday brings a change of pace with the smooth sounds of West End Musical, The Rat Pack and Live in Las Vegas, supported by ex-Blue singer Anthony D Costa in his solo debut. The Newhailes line-up finishes on Sunday with the Scottish Opera Orchestra and Olympic entertainers, Amici Forever. 

The following weekend (August 13-14) events move to Culzean Castle in Ayr, with a Friday evening of 1980s nostalgia, featuring The Stranglers, Kim Wilde, Toyah and T'Pau. 

On Saturday ex-Pop Idol runner-up and Glasgow boy Darius headlines alongside chart favourites Girls Aloud while ex-S Clubber Jo O'Meara performs her solo debut. 

For something a little different, look out for punk triplets the Noise Next Door and new band, D-Side. 

All gigs have capacity for 6,000 and tickets are available only from www.nts.org.uk or via the booking line on 0870 118 1931

'Live On The Lawn' takes place on Friday 12th August at Culzean (pronounced Culain ;o)) Castle in Ayrshire. Gates open at 5pm with the concert starting at 7.30pm. 

Toyah is on a bill that also includes The Stranglers, Kim Wilde and T'Pau. 

The concert is being held in association with Lloyds TSB's 'notefornote'. 

Tickets are priced £27, plus £3 booking fee, and can be purchased via the National Trust for Scotland website, by clicking on the press ad. Or by telephoning the booking line: 0870 118 1931. 

Culzean Castle 
Maybole, 
South Ayrshire, 
KA19 8LE 

[ www.nts.org.uk ]

Soldier Of Fortune (Terrorist Of Love) 
Don’t Fall In Love (I Said) 
Soul Passing Through Soul 
Sympathy
I’ll Serve You Well 
Over Twenty-One 
All In A Rage 
Space Between The Sounds 
School’s Out 
World In Action 
America For Beginners 
Vigilante 
Snow Covers The Kiss**
Kiss The Devil**
Don't Fall in Love [Extended Mix]**
Soul Passing through Soul [Extended Mix]**
World in Action [Extended Mix]*** 
World in Action [Action Mix]**

**[Bonus & never on CD before], ***[Bonus, unreleased, & never on CD before].

The album is released on 29th August 2005 on the Demon/Edsel label, cat no. DIAB8074, featuring 'Minx' era pictures and an introduction by Toyah.

The tracklist includes the orginal album (including the tracks 'Over Twenty One' and 'Vigilante' - both not included on the vinyl version), plus SIX bonus tracks. This reissue also includes a previously unreleased Extended Mix of 'World in Action'.

Pentland Theatre
An Evening with Toyah Willcox 
Sun 16 Oct 2005 8.00pm 

Artsdepot patron Toyah Willcox has had a successful and highly diverse career with hit records, including the aptly titled Sheep Farming in Barnet, and many prestigious roles on stage and screen. She first came to fame in the punk rock era with appearances in cult films Jubilee and Quadrophenia, not to mention her hit singles. Since then she has become a household name appearing on television in everything from Songs of Praise to Quartermass and on stage in Shakespeare and popular musicals such as Calamity Jane. Most recently she is recognisable as the voice of Teletubbies and from her appearance in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! In this evening of conversation, Toyah covers all of this and more, including why she recently went under the knife to regain her youth, and throws the floor open to questions from the audience.

020 8369 5454
5 Nether Street
Tally Ho Corner
North Finchley
London

Thanks to Dean (aka voodoo doll @ Dreamscape's forum)

Today, 3.00pm: Wild child Toyah Willcox encounters the painful memory of a life and death alone in the world. Happy days!...

Have our souls lived before? Do you believe in live after death? Where do our dreams come from? Have you ever met someone and been convinced you have met them in a previous life? 

All these questions, and more, will be tackled in this fascinating new daytime series. 

Hosted by Phillip Schofield, Have I Been Here Before? will offer the chance for celebrity guests to see if they have lived before... in a past life. 

The celebrities will be taken back to their past lives by experienced regression therapist Andrea Foulkes, and in the process they often reveal some deeply intimate thoughts about their current lives.

The Have I Been Here Before? detective, Jules Hudson, a qualified historian and archeologist, will investigate the historical accuracy of the regression, looking through archives, history and locations to establish any credibility for the past life recounted and a team of experts will offer possible explanations for the results. 

Then Phillip will reveal the results of the investigation to the celebrity and discuss their feelings about the regression and any effects they feel the experience has had on their life. 

Thanks to Dean (aka voodoo doll @ Dreamscape's forum)

Bedded by his town's good-time girl, Eamonn quickly acquires a reputation as a man who can make babies. 

While both sides of Belfast struggle with their sperm-counts, the lucky man becomes the hot property of both Catholics and Protestants. Crown jewel comedy. Director: Dudi Appleton.

Starring: Kris Marshall, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Bronagh Gallagher, James Nesbitt, Kenneth Cranham, Toyah Willcox and Olivia Nash. 

It seems her new facelift is not helping Toyah Willcox get much work. She wails: 'I live in Chiswick and walking down Chiswick High Road is like auditioning every single day. I walk down there with a big smile on my face, as I know I'm passing the commissioning editor for Five and the Commissioning editor for Sky. It's a great place to live if you're in telly.' Or not, as the case may be...

Thanks to Colin Dew-Parry for the clipping.

• Toyah popped up on TV last Friday. Not sure what, where or when. Does anyone know? Did you spot her?

• Toyah also guested on last Sunday's The Wonderful World Of Roald Dahl, on channel five. She talked about the author, how she wasn't a fan of Enid Blyton as a youngster, and also read a little from James & The Giant Peach.

It's a gorgeous, rare, picture of Toyah promoting her album 'Minx', and the first single from it 'Don't Fall in Love (I Said)', back in 1985.

'Minx' has always been viewed as the 'black sheep' of Toyah's music career, despite being one of the most sought-after CD's from her back catalogue. Perhaps this release will help change that. 

There's no doubt it is very different to anything Toyah released previously but songs like 'America For Beginners', 'Sympathy', 'Space Between The Sounds', and even the excellent power-pop single 'Don't Fall In Love (I Said)' show that perhaps the album has been somewhat misjudged. That the b-side 'Snow Covers The Kiss' will be included on the reissued CD can only add to this.

Many thanks to Andi Westhorpe for the picture.

Birmingham Music Awards: 6th July 2005

We are pleased to announce that Toyah Willcox has become a patron for the Birmingham Music Awards. 

The Birmingham Music Awards will acknowledge, honour & celebrate the musical talent borne and developed in the Midlands.

In addition to this it aims to facilitate the support of mentoring and training of musicians in the region.

During 2005 the Birmingham Music Awards will award both established and unsigned artists from a broad spectrum of musical genres. These awards will be presented at a Gala dinner on 4 November at Music Live and be complemented by a performance showcase on 6 November at Music Live at the N.E.C.

Rabbit Welfare Fund: Committee Newsletter - June 2005

RWF (Rabbit Welfare Fund) welcomes new Patrons

The committee are delighted to announce that Celia Haddon, Anne McBride, Ingrid Tarrant and Toyah Willcox have agreed to be RWF patrons.

Please click on the logos to visit the websites of both of these great organisations. The 'Rabbit Welfare Fund' in particular do sterling work to help protect and improve the quality of life of pet rabbits in the UK.

If you want to help them to continue achieving this goal by making a donation or by becoming a RWF volunteer, please contact the helpline 01403 267658 and start making a difference to rabbits today. Organisations like this, and many others that seek to protect animals from abuse and cruelty, are criminally underfunded.

Many thanks to Katy for the pictures.

Milton Keynes Theatre are pleased to announce the final stars appearing in this year's pantomime - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

Promising to get Milton Keynes audiences dancing the Time Warp in the aisles, will be Richard O'Brien as the Wicked Queen's henchman. The writer and star of The Rocky Horror Show recently thrilled audiences as the original Childcatcher in the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Richard has a long line of theatre and television credits to his name, including host of the popular adventure game show, The Crystal Maze. 

Milton Keynes' beautiful Snow White will be Suzanne Shaw who shot to fame in Hear'Say, the band formed from the winners of ITV's Popstars in 2001. Subsequently she has received rave reviews in leading roles in Summer Holiday and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, in London's West End and on a nationwide tour.

Polishing up her poisoned apple in preparation, Toyah Willcox will be returning to one of her favourite pantomime roles as the Wicked Queen. Following a diverse career filled with major hit records and many prestigious stage and screen roles to her credit, Toyah recently survived the jungle in television's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. 

Of course steering Snow White away from danger in the forest will be the seven loveable dwarfs including film star, Warwick Davies. Most recently seen as Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter films, Warwick has also graced the big screen in dozens of films including Star Wars - Return of the Jedi as Wicket the lead Ewok, and as Willow Ufgood in Willow. 

Will handsome Prince Charming, Duncan Breeze, make it in time to rescue Snow White from the Wicked Queen? Duncan is fast emerging as one of this country's brightest new stars. He is a highly accomplished singer and a versatile performer having appeared with such names as Michael Ball, Brian Conley, and Bobby Davro to name but a few. Catch a sneak preview of his many talents when his Night of the Musicals show comes to MK Theatre in September. 

Snow White is being produced by First Family Entertainment, a brand new pioneering and exciting partnership between Clear Channel Entertainment and the Ambassador Theatre Group, which will ensure that Milton Keynes pantomime offers the very best in traditional, professional, top quality family entertainment.

With glittering costumes, fantastic new sets and side-splitting comedy, this is the perfect winter warmer for Christmas 2005 through to New Year celebrations of 2006. Tickets are already selling quickly so book yours now on 0870 060 6652!

[ News Source: Milton Keynes - Serious About News / www.mkweb.co.uk ]

World Of Echo: Wednesdays 8pm - 11pm on WFMU 91.1 fm 90.1 fm wfmu.org
http://www.wfmu.org/~davem
Playlist: July 6, 2005: Toyah - Victims of the Riddle: Part II: The Safari Records Singles Collection, Part 1.

• Toyah has, once again, been mentioned in a Goldfrapp review. This time in 'The Observer', who cast their judgemental eye on the band's new CD, 'Supernature', at the weekend.

The Observer: Review
Goldfrapp, Supernature 

Eccentric female stars are thin on the ground these days. Hurrah, then, for Britain's own twisted sister, gushes Polly Vernon 

Sunday July 17, 2005 

Supernature is a triumph; a combination of electronics and decadence, soaring, sneering vocals and high drama, which references pretty much every glamorous, dark, witty, twisted bit of pop produced over the last 20 years. The first song - and first single release - 'Ooh La La', is Kylie at the top of her game, with touches of Debbie Harry and Roisin Murphy. 'Lovely 2 C U' harnesses the jaded sexiness of the Human League and my favourite ever Girls Aloud song, 'Some Kind of Miracle'. 'Satin Chic' sounds like something Toyah might have co-written with Vicky Pollard. But despite all these allusions, the sound, and sensibility, is still very much Goldfrapp's own.

• KSA.co.uk - Inaugural KBSA Design Innovation Awards Proves Huge Success! 

The inaugural KBSA Design Innovation Awards was declared a huge success by all of those who attended the presentation ceremony and awards dinner on 16th June. 

The awards were presented at a glamorous dinner following the association’s AGM at the Millennium Copthorne Hotel in Slough/Windsor. 

The evening was presented by KBSA’s managing director Graham Hayden and operations manager Lucinda Kenny. Surprise host, Toyah Willcox presented the awards and gave the after dinner entertainment an exciting start with an impromptu performance of the Guns ’n Roses’ hit ‘Sweet Child of Mine’. Several award sponsors joined Toyah on stage for a fine display of air guitar skills! 

The Weekend was in celebration of the writing of J.R.R.Tolkien in and near the childhood haunts that inspired him and the 50th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. At Sarehole Mill in the Shire Country Park.  The event included guided walks, Dark Age Vikings Re-enactment, Crafts, The Tolkien Society, Story tellers. Poetry, Archery, Toyah Willcox filming about the Tolkien Trail.

TOYAH

The Safari Records Singles Collection Part 1: 1979-81
****
Cherry Red CDMRED266 (78:53)

It's a mystery? No, it's a revelation

Get past the atonal improvisational of the indie-chart-topping debut Victims of the Riddle (is this one of Bjork's early influences? Sounds like it), and this complete collection of Toyah's first couple of years' worth of singles is hugely listenable.

Her voice may be an acquired taste, but the lyrics and intensity of her performances are powerful. Neon Womb, Waiting, the perennial set-closing Ieya, The Helium Song, It's A Mystery... all classics of their genre which are, frankly, criminally overlooked when the history of this period of indie is discussed.

Boasting several tracks which are making their CD debut, this has authoritative and nicely illustrated sleevenotes. They even include extracts from an interview with Toyah herself (I'd forgotten about her combining her music and acting on the programme Shoestring, with performances of Danced and the aforementioned Neon Womb). And let's not forget the promise of more to come in volume two (1981-1983).

Review by Titus Jennings.

Thanks to www.toyahwillcox.com

"The Punk polls are continuing to get hits daily and we will give you a monthly provisional top ten of each poll chart. Dont forget you can vote daily in each of the polls. Multiple voting for one act on the one day from any PC, which will be identified by its IP number, will result in these votes deemed invalid and removed from the poll."

Apparently the website will soon have "The Psycho Interviews", which will be exclusive one on one interviews with the leading names in the Punk/Oi music industry.

Please click on the picture to add your vote.

There is currently no confirmation of the final tracklisting for this eagerly awaited release. Or whether the cover artwork will remain true to the original 1985 release. Edsel/Demon have already reissued Toyah's 'Warrior Rock' and 'Love Is the Law' this year, both using identical sleeves to the original releases, so it is highly probable they will do the same with 'Minx'.

The title, 'Minx' + also suggests that the CD will contain extra tracks and/or 'Minx' era remixes.

Please click on the CD cover if you'd like to order this.

Toyah - 'The Safari Records Singles Collection - Part 2' (1981 to 1983)' (CDMRED 267). Tracklist: 1. I Want To Be Free, 2. Walke Talkie, 3. Alien, 4. Thunder In The Mountains, 5. Street Addict, 6. Voodoo Doll, 7. Good Morning Universe, 8. Urban Tribesmen, 9. In The fairground, 10. Furious Futures, 11. Brave New World (Single Edit), 12. Warrior Rock, 13. Ieya '82 (Full-length re-recorded version), 14. Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard), 15. Laughing With The Fools, 16. Rebel Run, 17. To The Mountains High, 18. Baptised In Fire, 19. The Vow, 20. I Explode, 21. Haunted.

Please click on the CD cover if you'd like to order this.

Have I Been Here Before? : ITV1 - Thursday 28th July : 3.00pm

Brum : CBeebies - Saturday 23rd July : 7.20am
Brum : CBeebies - Saturday 23rd July : 10.20am
The adventures of a little car who lives in a motor museum, narrated by Toyah Willcox. When precious gems are stolen from a famous celebrity at the airport, Brum is soon on the trail of the two thieves.

Have I Been Here Before? : ITV1 - Thursday 28th July : 3.00pm
Toyah Willcox recalls a life of enforced solitude in a church in 15th-century Holland, dying alone and lamenting her wasted life. Could Toyah's past life be a reflection of her own fears about her present one?

Dreamscape previously mentioned a few months back that Toyah would be one of the guests at this event. And Toyah herself also mentioned it in one of her Webletters recently.

As well as attending the event Toyah also reviewed one of the books, 'The Mammoth Cheese' by Sheri Holman, shortlisted (see review below)

"LONDON - JUNE 07: Singer Toyah Willcox arrives at the Orange Prize For Fiction, June 7, 2005 in London. The book prize now in its tenth year was won by american author Lionel Shriver with her book We Need To Talk About Kevin."

• Thanks to everyone who entered the competition. Congratulations to the three winners: Tracey Murray, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Gordon Winters, Brighton, and Ian Harrison, Aylesbury, Bucks. CDs will be posted asap.

The answer was, of course, Joel Bogen.

This novel is as rich and as round as the large, ripe, hand-made 1,235 pound cheese honored in the title. 

I cannot say what pleases me most about this book, that Virago Press have added another winner to their reputation or that Sheri Holman writes with a political and human rights knowledge that leaves the reader wanting to throw an air punch shouting ‘only a women could see the world like this and it's so empowering to read.'

The Mammoth Cheese is rich in irony. Manda Frank has just given birth to eleven babies in a small American enclave known as Three Chimneys, Virginia, while her immediate neighbour, Margaret Prickett is about to see the death of the family tradition of husbanding Jersey cows and producing hand-made cheeses.

Manda, who has little knowledge of life other than her love of hunting dogs and too little income to support such a large yield of babies, not only has the shock of an enormous instant family to deal with, but has the world media on her doorstep and gifts of money pushed through her door by the minute. Margaret Prickett making her daughter additive free bread for breakfast in her dimly-lit kitchen (she can only afford one light bulb) before milking her dwindling herd of cows by hand with a rare respect and knowledge which is about to be lost for ever, observes all this charity.

If she is to save her farm, Margaret's only hope is Governor Adam Brookes, the politician who promises debt amnesty to small farmers if he is elected president – as, in the words of the great President Thomas Jefferson ‘no farmer should inherit the debts of their fathers.' He must be elected at all cost. 

At the opening of this novel, with election fever running high, Adam Brookes feels Manda's story is the one he wants to be seen supporting, the poor undereducated women, on a low income and an instant family to feed. Margaret's plight is over-shadowed and, ironically, Adam Brookes ignores his greatest ally in favour of the politicians' favourite PR scam - be seen kissing as many babies as possible during election fever. Thus Margaret plans to make a mammoth cheese to be paraded all the way to Washington.

For me the appeal of this book lies in the incredible sensitivity of the author. It is impressively-researched right from rearing cows, through cheese-making, to politics. And, although usually politics do not fire my soul, when presented from the point of view of a wise leading character as Margaret Prickett I want to go out and throw eggs at politicians who allow traditions to fade away in favour of homogenous corporatism.

With too many books in recent times, a great plot has carried weak characters but with The Mammoth Cheese Sheri Holman weaves characters and relationships which constantly take surprising turns, the ‘expected' never comes and instead you are coaxed into an ever-intriguing entanglement of characters and their relationships to one another in what must be one of the wittiest and sharp observations of ‘small town' life in middle America. 

I found The Mammoth Cheese a very satisfying and complete read, and enjoyed the craft of the author as much as the book itself.

Toyah Willcox is an actress and singer. Her book Diary Of A Face Lift – about her own experiences of cosmetic surgery – is published this year, and she'll be touring her first one-woman show in September. Meanwhile, she is working as a presenter for the BBC and ITV, finishing her first American film French Leave, touring with her band and promoting her writing. She has also written a novel.

The CD set is released on the Sony/BMG TV label and features many great songs from the Eighties, as well as remixes and extended versions of famous hit songs.

Electric 80s brings together the originals that have continued to influence current tracks and the ever present 80s fashion nods on three packed CDs. This is a definitive collection of the very best electronic, synth and new-wave tracks from the early years of the decade. The album is a collectors dream with original 12" versions, lesser compiled tracks and rare gems, including Soft Cell - "Torch", Human League - "Love Action" and Duran Duran - "Planet Earth". 

'Electric 80s' Tracklist:
Disc: 1
1. Visage - Fade to Grey (12” Version)
2. Japan - Quiet Life
3. Tears For Fears - Mad World
4. Duran Duran - Planet Earth
5. Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran
6. Talk Talk - Today
7. Soft Cell – Torch (12” Version)
8. Scritti Politti - Absolute
9. Furniture - Brilliant Mind
10. Propaganda - Dr Mabuse
11. OMD - Messages
12. B Movie - Remembrance Day
13. Spandau Ballet - To Cut A Long Story Short
14. Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way
15. Passions - In Love With A German Filmstar
16. This Martial Coil - Song To The Siren

Disc: 2
1. Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (12” Version)
2. Yazoo - Don't Go
3. Landscape - Einstein A Go-go
4. Altered Images - Don't Talk To Me About Love
5. Haysi Fantayzee - Shiny Shiny
6. Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
7. Marilyn - Calling Your Name
8. Swans Way - Soul Train
9. Lotus Eaters - First Picture Of You
10. Flock Of Seagulls – Wishing (12” Version)
11. Animotion - Obsession
12. Yello - Vicious Games
13. Japan - Life In Tokyo (12” version)
14. Thompson Twins - Love On Your Side
15. Fiction Factory - Feels Like Heaven

Disc: 3
1. Human League - Sound Of The Crowd
2. Ultravox - Vienna
3. Heaven 17 - Temptation
4. Simple Minds - Promised You A Miracle
5. ABC - The Look Of Love
6. Aha - Take on Me
7. New Musik - Living By Numbers
8. Blancmange - Living On The Ceiling
9. Howard Jones - What Is Love
10. Bauhaus - Kick In The Eye
11. Tubearmy - Down In The Park
12. John Foxx - Underpass
13. Toyah - It's A Mystery
14. M - Pop Musik
15. Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F

To buy the CD set from Amazon UK please click on the CD cover.

As mentioned previously, the programme features two Toyah bios, one full page.

The booklet uses Dean Stocking's amazing 'Diary Of A Facelift' pictures to great effect.

Many thanks to David Gilchrist for the 'Hastings Festival' programme.
 
 
 
 

.

FACTFILE:
Age: 47
Height: 5ft 1
Weight: 8st 3lbs
Health problems: None

To find out if celebs benefit from their glam lifestyles, we test their bodies using a health assessment by Re-Aqua. It evaluates blood pressure, cholesterol, risk of diabetes and weight - looking at body fat percentages. We sent Toyah to try it out.

Lifestyle low-down

Do you have a food or drink vice?
"I have a very sweet tooth, so I treat myself to one Kinder Bueno a day. I don't drink at all."
What would you change about your body?
"I'd like to minimise my curves. I think I'm fit for my age but, as I'm getting older, my body's changing shape. However much I exercise, I don't think I look athletic because I'm busty."
Workout or yoga?
"I work out every day. I do two hours' fast walking on the running machine, weights and cycling. And I plan on taking up yoga soon."
Do you take any supplements?
"Too many. I take hemp and flaxseed oil, cod liver oil, vitamin E, Cool Oil by the Groovy Food Company (for omega oils) and acidophilus every day. I haven't had a cold since I added zinc, and I also take Glucosamine, which is good for joints."

BLOOD PRESSURE: Toyah's diastolic blood pressure - the minimum pressure between beats when the heart relaxes - is a healthy 78. It should be between 70 and 90, so this is spot-on.

Toyah: "My blood pressure has always been on the lower side so I'm not suprised by this result. In fact, I'm really pleased with it."

WEIGHT: Toyah's body fat is slightly high at 29.8 per cent. It should be between 22 and 28 per cent. But it's nothing to worry about.

Toyah: "I work out for two hours every day and thought I'd have too much muscle and not enough fat, so I'm pleased about this. I'm not worried about losing weight."

DIABETES: Toyah's blood-sugar level is very low. Her glucose level is 1.2 (it should be less than seven) so, at the moment, she has no risk of developing diabetes.

Toyah: "This result is great. I'm very surprised as everything these days contains sugar - even bran flakes."

CHOLESTEROL: Toyah's total cholesterol is 4.2, which is fine as it should be less than five. Her level of "good" cholesterol is only 0.61 though - it should be over one. Toyah should take 1,000mg of vitmain C a day to boost this level.

Toyah: "It looks like I'll have to add vitamin C to my supplement list."

EXPERT'S VERDICT: Celebrity fitness trainer Nicki Waterman says: "Toyah is fit and healthy, but I'd expect her body fat to be lower. I advise her to invest in a heart-rate monitor so she can check the intensity of her workout. They're available from sports shops, or log on to www.heartratemonitor.co.uk. When walking and cycling, Toyah should head outdoors. A hilly route will help burn calories and give her heart and lungs a better workout. She should pick a few different routes to avoid boredom."

Toyah's Body MOT was performed by Kerry Edge from Re-Aqua. Prices for a Health Risk Assessment range from £10 to £75. For your nearest Salon Spa, visit www.re-aqua.co.uk or call 0870 403 0002.

Brum : CBeebies - Saturday 23rd July : 7.20am
Brum : CBeebies - Saturday 23rd July : 10.20am
The adventures of a little car who lives in a motor museum, narrated by Toyah Willcox. When precious gems are stolen from a famous celebrity at the airport, Brum is soon on the trail of the two thieves.

The Late Edition : BBC2 - Thursday 7th July : 11.50pm
The Late Edition : BBC2 Scotland - Friday 8th July : 12.20am

Thanks to Andrew York

Many thanks to Stuart Huntington for these scans.

Please check back soon for a dedicated 'Hastings Beer & Music Festival' page at Dreamscape's LIVE section.

Please check back soon for more of M. Mazzer's pics. Thanks to John.

She is also pictured at the 'ArrowFM' website.

"80's music icon Toyah wowed the crowds at the Hastings Beer & Music Festival 2005. The former actress performed all her hits including It's a Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains, I Want To Be Free and Echo Beach. Hits & Headlines presenter Scott Saunders was on stage to introduce Toyah, meanwhile Big Fun Breakfast Newsreader Vickie Jones was behind the scenes asking the all important questions about Toyah's life, music and body!"

Thanks to Andrew York.

Demon-Edsel, who have already released Toyah's 'Warrior Rock - Toyah On Tour' and 'Love Is The Law' on CD earlier this year, are the label behind the release. It looks like bonus tracks will also be included.

'Minx' was Toyah's one, and only, release on CBS/Portrait Records, and featured three singles; 'Don't Fall In Love (I Said), 'Soul Passing Through Soul', and 'World In Action'.

This from www.toyahwillcox.com:

"we proudly bring you news of a further Toyah album reissue. Toyahwillcox.com is working in association with Demon-Edsel Records on a very special reissue of Toyah's 1985 album Minx. Long-deleted, this album regularly attracts high prices on eBay and has been unavailable for over 15 years. The very special package will feature bonus tracks including B-Sides and tracks previously unavailable on CD in addition to new sleevenotes. This reissue is scheduled for release on 29 August although the date is subject to change."

What a year for fans of Toyah's music this has turned out to be. What next? It looks like anything is possible...

If this news becomes a reality this will mean that ALL of Toyah's studio albums (aside from the "spoken word", 'The Lady Or The Tiger') will be in print/available on CD.

Ever wondered what's happened to your favourite 80's icon or band? 

Phil Marriott - from Win FM's Afternoon Show - is feeling nostalgic as well as curious, and every week he will be finding out what the biggest and best artists and bands are up to in 2005. 

Every Tuesday, Phil will be catching up with Richard Evans from remembertheeighties.com for '-Where Are They Now?'

Richard will have all the up-to-the-minute information on where the 80's stars are, what they are doing, and who they are doing it with!

Where Are They Now? - In Association with remembertheeighties.com

You can also hear 'Where Are They Now?' featuring on Phil Marriott's Afternoon Show every Sunday from 12pm.

Thanks to Phil Marriot.

'An Audience with Toyah' is scripted by Toyah and will feature musical accompaniment from Chris Wong, the guitar player in her current band line-up.

The first three, confirmed, dates are as follows:

Sunday 25th  September: Lochgelly Centre, Fife, Scotland 

Sunday 16th October: Finchley Arts Depot, Barnet, London

Sunday 6th November: Stamford Arts Centre, Lincolnshire

Question: Where can you spend an entertaining evening in the company of Tony Benn, John Mortimer, Barry Norman, Esther Rantzen, Toyah Willcox and Jimmy Young?

Answer: At a theatre near you, thanks to impresario Clive Conway.

Clive Conway Celebrity Productions offers audiences a vibrant variety of entertainment including drama, comedy, poetry, literature, talks, ‘An Audience with…’, musical theatre, light entertainment, jazz and music, starring personalities from stage, screen, politics and literature.

These are just a few of the celebrities who appear at theatres, festivals, town halls and stately homes throughout the country, creating a delightful blend of humour, music, comment and anecdote. 

Clive Conway says “I am thrilled to be able to present shows starring some of the best known and well loved personalities of our time to UK audiences. Audiences tell me how much they enjoy the opportunity to spend such a unique evening in the company of these stars and personalities. People love to be able to meet their heroes in real life and hear their stories.”

In an age when entertainment is so often electronic and available at the flick of a switch, it is heartening to discover that so many people are choosing to go to their local theatre to enjoy live entertainment. 

Clive Conway has discovered a winning formula for encouraging audiences to abandon their sofas, reviving the pleasure of a night out at the theatre. 

[ www.celebrityproductions.org.uk ]

"In a career spanning over 18 years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, made 15 solo albums, appeared in over 20 stage plays and made 10 feature films. She recently achieved major acclaim for her role as Calamity Jane, which toured nationally and finished with 3 months in the West End. In 2003, apart from appearing on the stage Toyah also took part in ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. In August 2000 Toyah's autobiography "Living Out Loud" (Hodder & Stoughton) was released. 

Throughout all this Toyah continues to appear on stage in various theatrical roles and still performs with her band, whilst writing for newspapers and finishing her first novel."

Throughout her career, Toyah has maintained a deep interest in social issues and is particularly passionate about education. She is also, as her career will show, an expert on re-invention 

The website was, until recently, using a little-seen picture of Toyah (included here, though it is very small).

Please click on the website screenshot to take a look.

An article, from last year (that I missed at the time), accompanied by a beatiful picture of Toyah being presented with a bouquet of flowers by a little girl, from the 'Patient Focus' publication:

New Bone Marrow Transplant Unit is given Toyah’s seal of approval 

Former punk rocker turned television celebrity Toyah Willcox opened the new £1 million bone marrow transplant unit at the QE.

The new unit provides seven state-of-the-art single rooms designed for complex bone marrow transplantation. 

The Trust is able to offer more and more patients this specialised procedure, carrying out 121 transplants last year, compared with 35 in 1997. The unit is expected to perform 140 transplants this year. As well as increasing the number of transplants carried out, the team has been able to bring in advances in medical technology which mean that treatment is offered more widely and results have been improved. 

Toyah spent time talking to patients and staff about their experiences, sharing a joke and having her photograph taken with them. As part of her tour, she saw shown one of the bedrooms in the unit and was struck by what she saw.

“These are great rooms, with their en-suite facilities, and I’m impressed with what I see. This is a wonderful unit and I can see that it provides the best possible care for patients.”

The event was also attended by UHB Charities, Trust chairman John Charlton, nursing staff, consultant haematologist Prem Mahendra and UHB staff.

John Charlton welcomed everyone to the opening before handing over to Prem Mahendra, who gave a brief history of the unit. Prem said: “We’re very proud of our unit and are delighted to be able to invite Toyah and our other guests to our official opening. 

“I especially want to thank both UHB Charities who contributed £500,000 to the overall cost of developing the unit and the Trust’s chief executive Mark Britnell who has supported our cause for a long time.”

The Late Edition : BBC2 - Thursday 7th July : 11.50pm
Marcus Brigstocke hosts the comic topical talk show, with guests Peter Tatchell and Toyah Willcox. 

Brum : CBeebies - Saturday 16th July : 7.20am
Brum : CBeebies - Saturday 16th July : 10.20am
The adventures of a little car who lives in a motor museum, narrated by Toyah Willcox. When precious gems are stolen from a famous celebrity at the airport, Brum is soon on the trail of the two thieves.

Toyah played an 16-song set, with classics of her own along with cool covers, which sounds as though it would have been fantastic:

Beer & Music Festival, Hastings: Saturday 2nd July 2005 - Set-List: 

Hello I Love You (The Doors)
Echo Beach
Hanging On The Telephone (Blondie)
Obsolete
Thunder In The Mountains
Neon Womb
Little Tears Of Love
Jungles Of Jupiter
Our Movie
Its A Mystery
Danced
Sweet Child 'O Mine (Guns 'N Roses)
She Sells Sanctuary (The Cult)
Ieya
You Really Got Me (The Kinks)
I Want To Be Free

Thanks to Paul Johnson for the set-list info, and to Chris Limb for the great picture of Toyah, taken yesterday. Please click on it to visit www.toyah.org for more.

FAIRYTALE PANTO MAGIC FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Toyah Willcox and Warrick Davies (Harry Potter) star in

SNOW WHITE and the SEVEN DWARFS

We are thrilled to announce Ambassador Theatre Group and Clear Channel Entertainment have formed the exciting new company, First Family Entertainment, to produce fresh, high quality, star-studded pantomimes to delight and charm, putting you and your family first. 

And with the launch of this vibrant new company comes a pantomime to match, bursting onto the Milton Keynes Theatre stage this Christmas - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

A mystery star name still to be announced will be joined on stage by 80s pop legend Toyah Willcox (I’m A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here) and Warwick Davies (Harry Potter and Willow).

This dazzling all-new pantomime is set to transform Milton Keynes as this magical fairytale melts your heart when the beautiful Snow White meets her Prince Charming. With glittering costumes, fantastic sets, side–splitting comedy and lots lots more this is the perfect winter warmer for Christmas 2005 through to the New Year’s celebrations of 2006. 

Please click on the picture to visit the Milton Keynes Theatre website.

Hope everyone who is going along has a fantastic day. I'm hoping to bring you Toyah's set-list either tonight or early tomorrow.

Hastings Beer & Music Festival - The Official Site:

On Saturday afternoon the Hastings Four Corners Festival takes place within the Festival arena organised by Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link. This event, now in its third year under the main Beer and Music Festival umbrella is committed to raise funds to help reconstruct the town of Hastings in Sierra Leone, which was devastated during that country’s civil war. Money raised will help towards bridge reconstruction in the town and to the SEA Tsunami Fund in Thailand; LOAF South American projects and local Hastings charities supported by the Round Table - hence the title 'Four Corners. 

Saturday night sees the final night of the event and the visit of Toyah Willcox supported by Festival favourites Utter Madness. “We’ve really pulled out all the stops this year” says Chairman of the organisers Tim Pilbeam “One of the big attractions of the Festival, and the reason we attract so many people, is that there is entertainment to suit all tastes. This year, as well as major international rock stars, we’ve got the best in tribute acts, some cracking local talent, some really exciting new music from young performers on the Wednesday evening ParkLive event – and, of course, the Saturday afternoon line up is bound to get everybody on their feet” 

Proceeds from the event will once again benefit local charities. Over £250,000 has been raised from the event in the last five years and with the sold out concert by Keane on this year’s programme, the organisers are hopeful of adding considerably to that sum. 
 

The Late Edition : BBC2 - Thursday 7th July : 11.50pm
Marcus Brigstocke hosts the comic topical talk show, with guests Peter Tatchell and Toyah Willcox. 

This first CD, of two, is a must for any collection, featuring great artwork, Toyah discography (Part One), retro memoribilia, press adverts and Toyah photographs. The CD also boasts Toyah tracks making their debut on the CD format.

Victims Of The Riddle Part 1
Victims Of The Riddle Part 2
Neon womb
Indecision
Waiting
Our Movie
Danced
Last Goodbye
Bird In Flight
Tribal Look
Ieya
The Helium song
Danced (Live)
Ghosts (Live)
Neon Womb (Live)
It's A Mystery
Revelations
Warboys
Angels And Demons

This from the 'Cherry Red Records' website:

"Originally from Birmingham Toyah Willcox was a professional actress whose film appearances included Jubilee and Quadrophenia, when she suddenly found parallel success as a highly visual punk/pop singer. She is now also a frequently seen TV personality.

The first in our 2 part series, this release contains all the 'A' and 'B' sides from the first 6 Toyah singles. They all reached the Top 10 of the INDIE SINGLES CHART, and 'It's A Mystery' reached No 1 and was in the Indie Chart for 24 weeks. It also made No 4 in the official chart.

As if that wasn’t enough for starters, this brilliant release also features several tracks that have never been available on CD before."

To enter the competition simply answer the following: 

Q. What is the name of the guitarist, and the person who Toyah cites in the CD sleevenotes as "the bond I remember most", who co-wrote many of Toyah's best songs? 

Please send answers, via email, to: comps@toyah.net

Competition closes on Sunday 10th July 2005. Good Luck!

Thanks again to 'Cherry Red Records' and Doug Shipton in particular.

• Toyah - Live 2006
Saturday 25th February : Bognor (full band)
Sunday 26th February : Skegness (full band)
Friday 17th March : Minehead (full band)
Saturday 18th March : Skegness (full band)

A number of the above dates are subject to change. 

Check out Dreamscape's LIVE section for dedicated pages on Toyah's past 2005 gigs.

[www.toyahwillcox.com]

First of two volumes documenting the classic era of this much-underrated Birmingham vocalist and actress, now married to Robert Fripp. Alongside Siouxsie Sioux, Hazel O Connor, Lene Lovich and some might even say Kate Bush, Toyah Willcox epitomised the new-found propensity for eccentric female vocalists in the post-punk, post-Rock Follies era: this CD compilation includes, alongside genuine hit single 'It's A Mystery' several unsung avant-garde New Wave classics such as 'Ieya' 'Neon Womb' 'Danced' and 'Victims Of The Riddle' all of which demonstrate why Toyah was somewhat unique and ripe for rediscovery. Detailed sleeve notes include quotes from Mrs Fripp herself. "Zi-on- Zoober-ron. . ."

For the first time, all of Toyah's single and EP's originally released by Safari Records are compiled across two CD's. Featuring 40 tracks in total, the compilations also boast 3 tracks which make their CD debut. The packages contain archive images, illustrated discographies and new sleevenotes by Michael Heatley written with contributions from Toyah Willcox and Craig Astley.

The first CD: Toyah - 'The Safari Records Singles Collection - Part 1' (1979 to 1981)' (CDMRED 266) Tracklisting: 1. Victims Of The Riddle, 2. Victims Of The Riddle (Vivisection), 3. Neon Womb, 4. Indecision, 5. Waiting, 6. Our Movie, 7. Danced, 8. Last Goodbye, 9. Bird In Flight, 10. Tribal Look, 11. Ieya (Full-length version as featured on 12" single), 12. The Helium Song, 13. Danced (Live), 14. Ghosts (Live), 15. Neon Womb (Live), 16. It's A Mystery (EP Mix), 17. Revelations, 18. Warboys, 19. Angels & Demons.

Of the above, tracks 12 and 14 have never been available on CD until now.

The second CD will be available sometime in August, with the actual release date to be confirmed soon. Artwork, as with the first CD, features many of Toyah's classic early 1980's single sleeves and striking, memorable, images.

The second CD: Toyah - 'The Safari Records Singles Collection - Part 2' (1981 to 1983)' (CDMRED 267). Tracklist: 1. I Want To Be Free, 2. Walke Talkie, 3. Alien, 4. Thunder In The Mountains, 5. Street Addict, 6. Voodoo Doll, 7. Good Morning Universe, 8. Urban Tribesmen, 9. In The fairground, 10. Furious Futures, 11. Brave New World (Single Edit), 12. Warrior Rock, 13. Ieya '82 (Full-length re-recorded version), 14. Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard), 15. Laughing With The Fools, 16. Rebel Run, 17. To The Mountains High, 18. Baptised In Fire, 19. The Vow, 20. I Explode, 21. Haunted.

Of the above, track 13 has never been available on CD until now.

Both CD's are released by the Cherry Red Records label.