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The www.toyah.net News Section offers you up-to-date info about Toyah. We compile all the latest headlines, confirmed Toyah news, rumours, and events. We also bring you the latest on most of Toyah's appearances, plus all the info on new & forthcoming releases.

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Please help us to publish as much Toyah News as possible by submitting yours to: david@toyah.net
 
 FEBRUARY 2009 NEWS:
.20th Century Toyah - Remembering Marc Bolan
.Saturday 28th February, 2009...................................................Magazines
Toyah is featured in the latest issue, number 26 - Spring 2009, of the Marc Bolan fanzine 'A Thousand Mark Feld Charms'.

The publication is a bi-yearly A5 format 32 page Marc Bolan & T.Rex fanzine. Printed in full colour on high quality paper.

The Spring 2009 issue Contents include....

20th CENTURY TOYAH -Toyah Willcox remembers Marc

MARC, STYLE & TOP OF THE POPS - A review of Marc Bolan’s fashions on the number 1 BBC TV show

‘GO OUT AND BUY T.REX’ - From The Who to Serge Gainsbourg - Looking at all the tracks from 1972 - 2008 that pay homage to Marc & T.Rex

A MARC IN TIME - A review of The Marc Shows

NEWS - All the hot Bolan news with many exclusives Including Dib Cochran, a new rare BBC recording, Katie Melua, Jimmy Page, John Lennon, cover versions, radio, auctions, polls and much more

REVIEWS - All At Once by Mark Feld, Dr Haze of The Circus Of Horrors Anthology & Truck Off

MARC ON TV - A round up of recent T.Rex TV highlights

FUTURISTIC DRAGON - A colour illustrated tale of the 1976 fantasy album character by Marc Bolan & Gavin Ross

MARC’S MISSING MILLIONS REVISITED A new look at an old problem

The fanzine is priced £3.99 and can be purchased here.

.Toyah Newsy Bits & Pieces!
.Saturday 28th February, 2009........................................................Various
Vampires Rock played a Sold Out show at Perth Concert Hall last night. Tonight and tomorrow night the Sold Out shows at The Shaw Theatre, London are taking place.

• An AHN article reporting that Alex Roots will release her debut single next month also says: The Guardian UK calls her as a " strange cross or compromise - or clash - between the early-80s new wave quirk-pop of Hazel and Toyah and the present-day punk-pop of Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry."

• A Digital Spy At The Movies review of the new Renée Zellweger film New In Town mentions Toyah: Zellweger, who is starting to look like a bizarre cross between Toyah Willcox and Kathy Bates, is the closest any cast member comes to escaping with dignity intact.

.Secret Diary of A Call Girl - Season 2 DVD
.Friday 27th February, 2009..........................................................Releases
The cover for Secret Diary Of A Call Girl Season 2 DVD has been made available. The DVD is released on Monday 2nd March. A box set of Seasons 1 and 2 will be released on the same day. Toyah plays Gail, the lead character's mother, in both seasons of the show.

The complete second series of the ITV drama starring Billie Piper as a beautiful prostitute who leads the ultimate double life. To her parents she's Hannah, the legal secretary. Hannah has a responsible job that involves working lots of unsocial hours in the evening. Hannah has her own set of clothes and her own friends. To her clients Belle is whatever they want her to be. She can be the quiet girl-next-door. Or she can be the high-heeled dominatrix who whips them into submission. Her mission is to make money by satisfying male fantasies.

.Toyah Gig Guide 2009
.Wednesday 25th February, 2009.................................................Live/Gigs
Toyah's live gig dates, so far, for 2009 (not all are officially confirmed yet):

• Saturday 28th March: Pontins Camber Sands
• Saturday 11th April: INEC Arena, Co Kerry - Here & Now
• Sunday 12th April: Royal Castlebar, Co Mayo - Here & Now
• Friday 8th May: Maspalomas Pride - Main Stage Live PA
• Sunday 10th May: Maspalomas Pride - Sparkles Showbar Live PA
• Saturday 16th May: Blackpool Pride - Live PA
• Saturday 22nd August: 80s Rewind Festival, Henley

.The Gay Nation - Interview With A Vampire
.Tuesday 24th February, 2009........................................................Internet
The Gay Nation, Issue 2, is now online. This includes: Interview With A Vampire - Toyah Willcox, with some great Devil Queen photographs.

.Toyah on TV - TV Diary Round Up
.Monday 23rd February, 2009.....................................................Television
• Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies Comedy - Mon 23rd Feb : 7.40am
• Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies Comedy - Tue 24th Feb : 2.25am
• Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway : ITV2 - Thu 26th Feb : 9.25am
• Ant and Dec's Sat Night Takeaway : ITV2 Plus 1 - Thu 26th Feb : 10.25am

• Quadrophenia : Sky Movies Indie - Saturday 28th February : 3.00am
• Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special : ITV1 - Monday 2nd March : 5.00pm
• Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special : STV - Tuesday 3rd March : 4.30pm
• FM : ITV2 - Wednesday 4th March : 10.30pm
• FM : ITV2 Plus 1 - Wednesday 4th March : 11.30pm
• Quadrophenia : Sky Movies Indie - Thursday 5th March : 1.20am
• Kavanagh QC : ITV3 - Thursday 5th March : 10.40am
• Kavanagh QC : ITV3 Plus 1 - Thursday 5th March : 11.40am
• Kavanagh QC : ITV3 - Friday 6th March : 1.10am
• Kavanagh QC : ITV3 Plus 1 - Friday 6th March : 2.10am

• Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special : ITV1 - Friday 6th March : 5.00pm
• FM : ITV2 - Sunday 8th March : 00.30am
• FM : ITV2 Plus 1 - Sunday 8th March : 1.30am

.Toyah on TV - FM
.Sunday 22nd February, 2009.....................................................Television

As mentioned a few weeks ago, Toyah will guest in an episode of the new ITV2 comedy series FM. The series begins on Wednesday 25th February.

FM : ITV2 - Wednesday 4th March : 10.30pm
FM : ITV2 - Sunday 8th March : 00.30am
FM : ITV2 - Sunday 8th March : 10.00pm
FM : ITV2 - Wednesday 11th March : 00.00am

System Addict. Series 1, episode 2. Sitcom about indie radio DJs. The group try to stick to some new resolutions: Dom gives up booze, Jane gives up cigarettes, and Lindsay gives up giving up on girls. Featuring a performance by the Wombats, and a guest appearance by Toyah Willcox. [NB: All of the above will air on the ITV2 Plus 1 channel too]

.Toyah Newsy Bits & Pieces!
.Sunday 22nd February, 2009.........................................................Various
• Russell Brand mentions Toyah in an article he wrote for 'The Guardian'. This was published yesterday and is available to read at Guardian Online.

• The Vampires Rock DVD, filmed at Halloween 2008 and featuring Toyah, should be available around March or April [Thanks to John and Sean]

Whats On Stage and Billboard are the latest news sites to report on the forthcoming Quadrophenia musical. Again, both mention Toyah.

• Toyah is also namechecked in a recent article on the Ilkeston Today website.

.Toyah on Sky Movies
.Sunday 22nd February, 2009.....................................................Television
Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies - Mon 23rd February : 7.40am
Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies - Tue 24th February : 2.25am
Starring: Kris Marshall, Kathy-Kiera Clarke, Bronagh Gallagher, James Nesbitt, Kenneth Cranham, Toyah Willcox and Olivia Nash. (NB: This is showing on Sky Movies Comedy and Sky Movies Comedy HD simultaneously)

Quadrophenia : Sky Movies Indie - Saturday 28th February : 3.00am
Quadrophenia : Sky Movies Indie - Thursday 5th March : 1.20am
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Director: Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, and Ray Winstone.

.Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
.Saturday 21st February, 2009....................................................Television
Toyah is scheduled to be a guest on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway tonight, ITV1 at 7.45pm. The show is repeated on Thursday morning on ITV2.

.Richard & Judy - Screen Captures
.Friday 20th February, 2009........................................................Television
Screen captures from Toyah's guest appearance on last Friday's Richard & Judy. Other guests included Lee Mack and Stephen Mangan.

.Richard & Judy - Backstage Screen Captures
.Friday 20th February, 2009........................................................Television
Toyah, backstage at Richard & Judy on Friday 13th February.

.Dreamscape - Site Changes 2009
.Thursday 19th February, 2009....................................................Site News
Dreamscape is approaching its 9th birthday and 2009 is Toyah's 30th year in music so I'm partially redesigning the site to mark this. Some changes have already been made and I'm working on more. Mainly just colours and fonts, with a few other tweaks here and there. I hope you continue to enjoy the site as we enter the 10th year of Toyahtastic news and views.

.Egghead Toyah
.Thursday 19th February, 2009...................................................Television
Toyah, along with Kate Bush and Kim Wilde, her longtime music contemporaries, was the subject of a gardening question on yesterday's quiz show Eggheads on BBC2. Kim Wilde was the answer.

.Toyah on TV - Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
.Thursday 19th February, 2009...................................................Television
Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway : ITV1 - Sat 21st Feb : 7.45pm
Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway : ITV2 - Thu 26th Feb : 9.25am

This week's show is packed with British talent, as Take That give an exclusive performance of their new single Up All Night, plus the one and only Ricky Gervais is in the voice-over booth. And in the brand new feature Escape from Takeaway Prison, 16 prisoners will be reduced to 12 as they make their way through to the Prison Laundry. Musical Toadstools and The Mouse Trap make a welcome return, and of course the audience get the chance to win a car - or a toilet roll - during the ad break.
.Richard & Judy - Screen Captures
.Tuesday 17th February, 2009....................................................Television
Screen caps from Toyah's guest appearance on Richard & Judy last Friday. Please click on the captures for larger versions. More soon!

This has aired a number of times over the last few days. There's a final opportunity to catch highlights from the interview this afternoon..

Richard & Judy : Watch - Tuesday 17th February : 2.00pm
Richard & Judy : Watch Plus 1 - Tuesday 17th February : 3.00pm
A compilation of the best moments from last week's shows. Guests include Lee Mack, Toyah Willcox, Harry Shearer, Stirling Moss, Tamsin Greig, Peter Egan and Dexter Fletcher.

.80s Rewind Festival Henley
.Tuesday 17th February, 2009 • Thanks to Minna.........................Live/Gigs
The 80s Rewind Festival, taking place in Henley this August, has been advertised in the national press over the last week. There is also a shiny, Eightiestastic website to browse. This includes pictures of Toyah (and a badge!)

80s REWIND FESTIVAL
August 21 - 23 Temple Island Meadows Henley-on-Thames

The 80s Rewind Festival is the country’s newest boutique festival celebrating the greatest music from the coolest decade with the biggest line up of eighties acts since Live Aid.

As well as fantastic music, the festival will feature a host of other entertainment to keep everyone entertained throughout the weekend. Funfairs, The Comedy Store Tent, The Big Top Nightclub, street entertainers and much more all brought together in a beautiful riverside setting near Henley on Thames. Indeed we are probably the only festival where festival goers can bring their boats for the weekend and book moorings alongside the festival site. If boats are not your thing we have a full range of camping options for you to enjoy a fun-packed weekend by the river.
.Toyah on TV - Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special
.Tuesday 17th February, 2009....................................................Television
First mentioned last year, Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special is finally about to air. The series begins on Monday 23rd February at 5.00pm on ITV1. Toyah's first appearance is the following Monday.

Famous faces compete for their main course or dessert to be crowned Celebrity Britain’s Best Dish 2009. The new three-week series returns to ITV1 from Monday 23rd February.

Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special : ITV1 - Mon 2nd March : 5.00pm
Another week and another group of celebrities don aprons with the view to impressing one and all with their culinary skills. In the mains kitchen, Cleo Rocos pitches her lemon chicken tequila fajitas against Anneka Rice's chicken pie puddings. Toyah Willcox's apricot tarte tartin plays against John Altmans's sherry trifle. Only two can go through to the Friday's cook offs. Mark Nicholas hosts as per usual. [NB: Air times may vary in some regions]
.GMTV Video - Toyah Willcox
.Tuesday 17th February, 2009....................................................Television
GMTV's website now have Toyah's interview, first broadcast last Thursday morning on GMTV/ITV1, with Lorraine Kelly online and available to view.

Eighties icon Toyah Willcox talks about why she had Britain's first ever bum lift!

The clip has a running time of 5:44.

.The Sun - Toyah's Bum Lift
.Tuesday 17th February, 2009 • Thanks to Paul.........................Press Clips
Punk singer turned actress Toyah Willcox, 50, yesterday revealed she was "chuffed" after having a bum lift.

This story was also reported by the 'Daily Star' and a variety of websites, including '
Make Yourself Amazing'.
 GMTV with Lorraine - Screen Captures
 Sunday 15th February, 2009......................................................Television
A selection of screen captures from Toyah's guest appearance on last Thursday morning's GMTV with Lorraine.

 GMTV with Lorraine - Interview Trailer Captures
 Sunday 15th February, 2009......................................................Television
Screen caps from the trailer for Toyah's interview on GMTV with Lorraine.

 Quadrophenia: The Iconic Rock Opera - In The Press
 Sunday 15th February, 2009.....................................................Press Clips
Numerous entertainment, theatre and news websites are now reporting details about the forthcoming Quadrophenia: The Iconic Rock Opera musical.

Metro: Quadrophenia roars on to the stage: Quadrophenia is to be brought to the stage for the first time. The rock opera, written by Pete Townshend, originally appeared in 1973 as an album for his band The Who. 

Set in the mid-60s, Quadrophenia tells the story of a hedonistic teenager stuck in a dead-end job who sets off on a trip to Brighton with life-changing consequences. It has been adapted for the stage by Jeff Young, John O'Hara and Tom Critchley, and will feature a young cast. 

The 1979 film starring Phil Daniels, Sting, Leslie Ash and Toyah Willcox became a cult classic. The theatre version begins a tour of England and Scotland in Plymouth in May.

Broadway World: The Who's Pete Townshend's Rock Opera Quadrophenia Comes to UK Stage in May: Pete Townshend's legendary rock opera Quadrophenia is brought to the stage for the first time for a six month tour of the UK, opening in Plymouth in May 2009. Full tour details are listed below. [NB: This site has comprehensive info on this new production]

Playbill: Pete Townshend's Quadrophenia to Become U.K. Stage Production: The Who's legendary 1973 studio album "Quadrophenia," which subsequently provided the basis for a 1979 feature film of the same name, will be brought to the British stage for the first time.

The production - directed by Tom Critchley, who has also adapted it for the stage with Jeff Young and John O'Hara - will embark on a six-month UK tour, commencing in Plymouth in May and continuing to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bath, Manchester, Sunderland, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Leeds, Nottingham, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Brighton, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Oxford, Wimbledon, Southampton and Reading.

Digital Spy: 'Quadrophenia' to make stage debut: Cult rock opera Quadrophenia is to make its stage debut this year.

The work was written by Pete Townshend and originally appeared in 1973 as an album for The Who. The musical tells the story of a hedonistic teenager who goes on a life-changing trip to Brighton. The theatre version, which will feature a young cast, begins a tour of England and Scotland in Plymouth in May.

Virgin Media Music, Croydon Advertiser, Lincolnshire Echo, Surrey Mirror, Leatherhead Advertiser, Dorking Advertiser, The Surrey Post, Scunthorpe Telegraph, Hull Daily Mail, East Riding Mail, Bristol Evening Post, Stroud Life, Gloucestershire Echo, The Citizen, The Forester, Llanelli Star, South Wales Evening Post, and North & Port Talbot Courier are just some of the other publications reporting this story, and, in the process, all namecheck Toyah!

 30 Years Of Music: 1979 - 2009
 Saturday 14th February, 2009..........................................................Music
In the first half of the Eighties Toyah was in a league of her own when it came to stunning visual imagery. Indeed, has any pop star past or present even came close to some of the looks Toyah adopted for various singles, albums, tours and photo shoots?

Every couple of months Toyah had a new look, though in 1981 it seemed like every week. Her 'Ieya'/The Blue Meaning' image in 1980 was way ahead of its time, and 1982's 'Brave New World'/'The Changeling' and 'Be Proud' looks are as vivid today as they were two-and-a-half decades ago!

Photo from Dolls @ Flickr.

 Sensational on Sony/Polydor/Imagem Promo CD
 Saturday 14th February, 2009..........................................................Music
'Sensational', one of the standout songs on 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' (the album that just gets better with each listen!), was included on a limited edition CD sampler sent out to radio DJ's in late 2008.

Imagen Music (Sony/Polydor/B-Unique etc) [Promo Sampler]

01. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat
02. Eagles Of Death Metal - Wannabe In L.A.
03. Portico Quartet - Cittagazza
04. Boyzone - Love You Anyway
05. The Script - Break Even
06. Laura Izibor - From My Heart To Yours
07. Nitin Sawhney Feat. Roxanne Tataei - Distant Dreams
08. General Fiasco - Rebel Get By
09. SugaRush Beat Company - Love Breed
10. Wiley - Summertime
11. Toyah - Sensational
12. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat (Instrumental)
13. SugaRush Beat Company - Love Breed (Instrumental)
14. General Fiasco - Rebel Get By (Instrumental)
15. The Script - Breakeven (Instrumental)

 GMTV with Lorraine - YouTube
 Saturday 14th February, 2009...................................................Television
Toyah's interview from Thursday's GMTV with Lorraine is now available to watch at YouTube (or by clicking play below).

Screen captures from this, and yesterday's Richard & Judy, to follow soon.

 Toyah on TV - Richard & Judy - Today!
 Friday 13th February, 2009........................................................Television
Toyah's guest appearance on GMTV with Lorraine aired yesterday morning. She talked about her recent buttock enhancements, and a little about Vampires Rock too. A selection of screen caps from the show will be added to Dreamscape News soon.

A reminder that Toyah is scheduled to guest on another well-known talk show today. 

She will appear on Richard & Judy on Watch at 6.00pm (repeated on Watch Plus 1 at 7.00pm - see News update below for full Richard & Judy air schedule).

 GMTV/LK Today - House Proud Toyah
 Friday 13th February, 2009........................................................Television
Toyah last featured on LK Today in October 2008, in their 'House Proud' strand.

A video clip of Toyah's appearance is still available to view at the GMTV website. The clip has a running time of 2:52.

80's icon Toyah Willcox shows us around her beautiful Georgian home.

Toyah's last live appearance/interview on the show (again when it was called LK Today) was almost four years ago, back in March 2005, when she talked about her recent facelift.

Click here to view a small feature on that appearance. And click here to read a transcript of the full 2005 interview.

 100 Hits - More 80s 5CD Set
 Friday 13th February, 2009...............................................................Music
Following the inclusion of 'It's A Mystery' on last year's '100 Hits - 80s Pop' CD, released in October, Toyah appears on another '100 Hits' compilation, out next week!

'100 Hits - More 80s', another 5CD set, will be released on 16th February and includes 'I Want To Be Free' on disc four of the collection.

100 Hits More 80s showcases the best classic tracks from the decade, including tracks from Tears For Fears, Dexys Midnight Runners, The Cure, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Toyah, Haircut 100, Soft Cell, and Adam & The Ants.

Launched in October 2007, 100 Hits has sold over 1.2 million units so far. Nine new titles were released in October 2008 and four more are to be released in February 2009.

 Here And Now Ireland 2009
 Friday 13th February, 2009 • Thanks to Dean..............................Live/Gigs
Toyah will play two 'Here And Now' shows in Ireland this year, alongside Kim Wilde, Heaven 17, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, ABC and Altered Images. 

Saturday 11th April 2009: INEC Arena, Killarney, Co Kerry 
Box Office: 064 71555
www.inec.ie / www.ticketmaster.ie

Sunday 12th April 2009: Royal Castlebar, Co Mayo, Ireland 
Box Office: 0818 300 000
www.royaltheatre.ie / www.ticketmaster.ie

 Tales Of The Unexpected - The Complete Collection DVD
 Friday 13th February, 2009..........................................................Releases
Tales Of The Unexpected: The Complete Collection (19 discs) was released on Region 2 DVD at the end of last year. Toyah, of course, guested in, Series Five, 1981 episode, Blue Marigold.

Tales Of The Unexpected: Series 5 (3 Discs) has previously been released on Region 2 DVD, along with all the other individual series, in November 2007.

Sinister and with a touch of the macabre Tales Of The Unexpected holds, at its heart, a core of black humour that makes each story both compelling and surprising, with a twist in each tale that delighted audiences throughout the country.

Although Roald Dahl is best known for his children's books, his most famous and sinister adult creation was Tales of the Unexpected. Adapting works from Dahl himself, Patricia Highsmith, Ruth Rendell and a host of other celebrated writers, this highly acclaimed series ran for an impressive nine years from its first transmission on ITV in 1979. Its iconic title sequence and haunting theme tune (from prolific TV composer Ron Grainer) ensured that Tales of the Unexpected was memorable viewing.

The series attracted an astonishing array of guest stars: Oscar winners Sir John Gielgud and José Ferrer, Ian Holm, Joan Collins, Sir John Mills, Peter Bowles, Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips, Denholm Elliott, Zoe Wanamaker, Joss Ackland and Brian Blessed are just a few of the names to feature in its illustrious cast. Sometimes gory, but always surprising, the stories all have a twist to entertain and, more often than not, shock the viewer. This set contains every episode of Tales of the Unexpected, originally transmitted between 1979 and 1988.

 Vampires Rock - Belfast Waterfront - Tonight!
 Friday 13th February, 2009............................................................Theatre
Vampires Rock plays Belfast tonight, at the Waterfront Hall.

The next show will be at Perth Concert Hall on Friday 27th February, immediately followed by two dates at The Shaw Theatre, London: Saturday 28th February and Sunday 1st March. The full dates for the Autumn 2009 tour are now available at The Official Vampires Rock website.

 The Private Clinic - Toyah Willcox talks about buttock enhancements
 Friday 13th February, 2009.......................................................Press Clips
Pop star Toyah Willcox has said that buttock enhancements have helped her to improve the appearance of her bum.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ms Willcox explained that she had a face lift in the past and may have a tummy tuck in the future, adding that she believes anti-ageing procedures will become “inevitable” as she ages.

The star told the newspaper: “The reason I have cosmetic surgery is because I love my career. Having work done on your face and body goes hand in hand with showbusiness.”

She revealed that last month she underwent a buttock enhancement procedure, which took less than an hour to perform and left her feeling “hardly sore at all”.

In addition, she said that the incisions from the procedure completely healed after little over two weeks and she was “ecstatically happy” with the look of her new bottom, which she claims is more shapely and leaner.

Recently, I”m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here contestant Nicola McClean told the Daily Star that she decided to have a breast enhancement after seeing her chest swell due to a wasp sting.

 Toyah on Sky Movies 
 Friday 13th February, 2009........................................................Television
Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies - Thu 19th February : 1.00am
Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies - Mon 23rd February : 7.40am
Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies - Tue 24th February : 2.25am
Starring: Kris Marshall, Kathy-Kiera Clarke, Bronagh Gallagher, James Nesbitt, Kenneth Cranham, Toyah Willcox and Olivia Nash. (NB: This is showing on Sky Movies Comedy and Sky Movies Comedy HD simultaneously)

Quadrophenia : Sky Screen 2  - Friday 20th February : 00.55am
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Director: Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, and Ray Winstone. (NB: This is showing on Sky Screen 2 and Sky Screen 2 HD simultaneously)

 Toyah on TV
 Friday 13th February, 2009........................................................Television
Top 50 Showbiz Comebacks : Sky2 - Saturday 21st February : 9.00pm
Christopher Biggins presents a celebratory countdown of the stars and shows that have been binned, but bounce back even bigger. Who, or indeed what, will hit the top spot?
 The Power Of Three - Official Film Website
 Wednesday 11th February, 2009.........................................................Film
Fifty, fierce, fabulous... The Power of Three website. Click below to visit.

 Toyah on TV - Richard & Judy
 Wednesday 11th February, 2009...............................................Television
It looks like Toyah's guest appearance on Richard & Judy is this Friday, rather than this evening. There's no mention of her on the Watch website for tonight's show and online TV guides are listing Friday's show with Toyah. Probably advisable to still watch tonight's on the offchance that she does appear.

Richard & Judy : Watch - Friday 13th February : 6.00pm
Richard & Judy : Watch Plus 1 - Friday 13th February : 7.00pm
Richard & Judy : Watch - Monday 16th February : 2.00pm
Richard & Judy : Watch Plus 1 - Monday 16th February : 3.00pm
Topical conversation with celebrity guests. Today, actors Lee Mack and Stephen Mangan discuss their current sitcoms and pop icon Toyah Willcox talks about life as a Vampire!

Richard & Judy : Watch - Monday 16th February : 6.00pm
Richard & Judy : Watch Plus 1 - Monday 16th February : 7.00pm
Richard & Judy : Watch - Tuesday 17th February : 2.00pm
Richard & Judy : Watch Plus 1 - Tuesday 17th February : 3.00pm
A compilation of the best moments from last week's shows. Guests include Lee Mack, Toyah Willcox, Harry Shearer, Stirling Moss, Tamsin Greig, Peter Egan and Dexter Fletcher.

[ Watch: Sky Channel 109 / Virgin TV 124 - www.uktv.co.uk/watch ]

 The Power Of Three - Toyah's Bio Page
 Wednesday 11th February, 2009.........................................................Film
Toyah's bio/CV page at The Power Of Three website.

 Mason (and Son)
 Wednesday 11th February, 2009.........................................................Film
Green Lit Media are proud to become Associate Producers on a new feature film set in Bristol. Bourne meets Equaliser in this Bristol-based gritty Get Carter-ish revenge thriller, starring Paul McGann, Hollywood star Kelly Le Brock and Toyah Willcox. With soundtrack by Daddy G, Massive Attack with Robot Club. 

We join former SAS operative Mason and his wayward son, on a relentless crusade to track down the international drug dealers responsible for his wife and daughter’s death. Set against Bristol’s dark subterranean waterways from its slave-trade legacy, Mason discovers that there are other victims the law has failed that need his services… 

 Official Toyah - February Blog
 Monday 9th February, 2009...........................................................Internet
Toyah's February blog has been added to www.toyahwillcox.com and the Official Toyah MySpace. Read up on the recent 'Daily Mail' article, and just who has 'Come' from 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' on continuous play?

 The Sunday Times - Does my bottom look tiny in this?
 Monday 9th February, 2009 • Thanks to Minna.........................Press Clips
Yesterday's 'Sunday Times' included a small article on Toyah and her teeny weeny derrier!

 Toyah on TV
 Monday 9th February, 2009.......................................................Television
The Official Toyah website has just updated their news section with details of a number of TV programmes Toyah will guest on in the coming weeks, including two that air later this week (dates below are revised/updated):

• GMTV with Lorraine : GMTV/ITV1 - Thursday 12th February : 8.30am
• Richard & Judy : Watch - Friday 13th February : 6.00pm
• Saturday Night Takeaway : ITV1 - Saturday 21st February : 7.45pm
• Natural Beauty : ITV1 - Thursday 2nd April : Time tbc 

The Official site also advises that Toyah will appear in a one-hour special on Psychic Therapy for the Biography Channel and an episode of Celebrity Bargain Hunt for BBC (no broadcast dates as yet). Also confirmed is that Toyah will be filming the movie Power Of Three and Secret Diary Of A Call Girl Series 3 between April and June.

 Never Mind The Buzzcocks - Screen Caps
 Monday 9th February, 2009.......................................................Television
A few more screen caps from the recent re-airing of Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

 Belfast Telegraph - Now, Toyah Bites Back
 Saturday 7th February, 2009....................................................Press Clips
She’s gone from punk icon to property and stock market tycoon, and now she’s hitting Northern Ireland in her vampire musical. Here, Toyah Willcox tells Audrey Watson the secret to her success. 

Life certainly begins at 50 for former punk princess Toyah Willcox. A bundle of energy, the singer and actress is having the time of her life starring in hit musical Vampires Rock, which comes to the Waterfront Hall in Belfast this Friday. 

Now a multi-millionaire thanks to shrewd (and safe) property and stock market investments, the Birmingham-born performer who enjoyed 13 Top 40 singles and a No 1 album in her 1980s heyday is actually a Belfast regular. 

“I've been to Belfast many, many times,” she reveals. “My first visit was to the King's Hall in 1981 and I've been back often over the years to perform in plays at the Grand Opera House. 

“As I was only ever there for short intense bursts of time, I didn't see any of the problems. Most of my day was spent rehearsing or performing so I rarely left the city, but I do remember going to the Bushmills Distillery a few years ago, though I don't drink so I didn't sample the whiskey.” 

Read the full article at the Belfast Telegraph website, or here.

 Toyah's 2009
 Saturday 7th February, 2009..................................................Toyah's 2009
Three substantial Toyah interviews, in the 'Perthshire Advertiser', 'Daily Mail', and 'Belfast Telegraph', have been published in the last few days. Across the interviews she has successfully managed to mention her current projects and, making a piece about "bottom botox" just a little more interesting, her 'In The Court Of The Crimson Queen' album also. Here's a compilation of future adventures, gleaned from the articles:

• There are "plans in the pipeline" for a "solo headlining venture"
• Toyah will take part in another "Eighties" tour this year (possibly just a few selected dates?)
• She mentions a "tour in September" - Most probably with Vampires Rock.
• Toyah is filming four documentaries for ITV.
• She, again, confirms she will be in Series 3 of Secret Diary Of A Call Girl.
• She also got a plug in for The Humans - That album will possibly be released in 2009.

 Daily Mail - How I went from flabby to fab at 50 
 Friday 6th February, 2009.........................................................Press Clips
How I went from flabby to fab at 50 with Britain's first £6,000 bum lift

Surely it's every woman's dream - to regain the pert bottom of her youth. That was the goal for pop star Toyah Willcox who, at 50, has become the first person in Britain to have an injectable bottom lift - cosmetic surgery that claims to give definition to the buttocks. Toyah lives with musician husband Robert Fripp, 62. Here, SADIE NICHOLAS asks her if the £6,000 procedure was money well spent - or a bum deal ...

To say that I am pro-cosmetic surgery is perhaps too strong. Yes, I had a facelift five years ago and I've been quite open about my desire to have a tummy tuck - at my age my skin's losing its elasticity, so I believe more nips and tucks are inevitable. 

But the reason I have cosmetic surgery is because I love my career. Having work done on your face and body goes hand in hand with showbusiness, because you have to ensure you look good for your age.

I accept that fact and don't resent it, it's just part of the job. In this business, most people have had something done, even though many don't like to admit to it.

Despite being the same weight and size, a ten, that I was in my 20s, my shape's changed as I've reached my 50s.

During the past two years I've noticed that my bottom has begun to sag, developing a telltale crease and losing definition where it meets the tops of my legs.

Of course, it can be disguised with clever support knickers, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm not happy with the shape. I don't go to the gym, but I do lots of hill-walking in the Worcestershire countryside and I'm fit and active.

But, no matter what, time and gravity still have an effect on even the slimmest, fittest of women. So, when I heard a new laser treatment was being launched in the UK, which claims to tighten and tone the skin and is described as the surgical equivalent to doing hours and hours of exercises in the gym, I began researching it on the internet in earnest.

Read the full article at the Daily Mail website, or here.

 Perthshire Advertiser - Devil Queen set to be unleashed on stage
 Friday 6th February, 2009.........................................................Press Clips
Former punk Toyah Willcox says she can’t wait to get her teeth into her latest role in Perth

The singer, who made her name in the early Eighties with her hits It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, is due to make her long-overdue Fair City bow at the Concert Hall next month in a new run of Steve Steinman’s spectacular musical, Vampires Rock.

Speaking to Music Scene, Toyah says fans attending the outrageous show, in which she plays the central character, the fearsome Devil Queen, can expect more than a few eye-popping moments.

“It is going very, very well,” she tells me. "The show is basically a rock show with a lot of visuals and a funny storyline about a team of vampires who run a nightclub.

“It is quite eccentric and can be loosely compared to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and it has a wonderful cult following who are extremely dedicated. I like it because it is visually striking and very tongue-in-cheek. It’s really up, and definitely not your normal theatre.

“It’s loud, brash and there are lots of pyrotechnics, which suits me because I’ve always been a slightly bombastic visual performer.”

Read the full article at the Perthshire Advertiser website, or here.

 The Alan Titchmarsh Show
 Friday 6th February, 2009 • Thanks to Dean..............................Television
Toyah guested on Wednesday's The Alan Titchmarsh Show on ITV1 (though not in Scotland). She discussed plastic surgery alongside Paul Ross and Sue Carroll.

It doesn't look like this will be repeated and, unfortunately, it wasn't available on the ITV Player when I last checked.

 Never Mind The Buzzcocks - Screen Caps
 Friday 6th February, 2009..........................................................Television
A selection of screen captures from the repeated edition of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, shown on Dave on Tuesday and Wednesday. This originally aired on BBC2 in 2006. Please click on the caps for larger versions.

 Afternoon Plus - Rare Toyah Photo
 Friday 6th February, 2009 • Thanks to AW....................................Pictures
This rare photo of Toyah has recently appeared online. It was taken in 1981 on the set of Afternoon Plus, a chatshow that ran between 1979 and 1989 and aired on ITV and subsequently moved to Channel 4 in 1982 (changing it's name to A Plus!). Other guests such as David Bowie also appeared over the years.

 Toyah on Sky Movies
 Friday 6th February, 2009..........................................................Television
Quadrophenia : Sky Movies Indie - Saturday 7th February : 11.55pm
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Director: Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, and Ray Winstone.

Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies - Thu 12th February : 8.05am 
Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies - Thu 19th February : 1.00am
Starring: Kris Marshall, Kathy-Kiera Clarke, Bronagh Gallagher, James Nesbitt, Kenneth Cranham, Toyah Willcox and Olivia Nash. (NB: This is showing on Sky Movies Comedy and Sky Movies Comedy HD simultaneously)

 Toyah Newsy Bits & Pieces!
 Friday 6th February, 2009..............................................................Various
• Kim Wilde mentioned Toyah in a recent Guardian article on Eighties fashion, How to wear 80s styles - by the stars of the decade.

• Another Guardian article, another Toyah namecheck! The other end of the spectrum though, this is about the resurgence of holiday camps: Hi-de-Hire! Pontin's to take on 2,000 workers as recession Britain holidays at home.

• Toyah classics 'It's A Mystery' and 'I Want To Be Free' have recently been murde, erm covered at iTunes. Log onto iTunes and do a search (if you dare!) [Thanks to Michael]

Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special, which Toyah recorded last year, is Coming Soon to ITV! - Keep an eye on your TV guides.

 Barbie Toyah
 Friday 6th February, 2009.............................................................Pictures
Found online!! Barbie Thundering In The Mountains!

 Laughing With The Fools - Slideshow Video
 Friday 6th February, 2009.................................................................Music
Minna, of The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive, has created a variety of colourful slideshow videos for some of Toyah's finest songs recently. Including one of my favourite songs, 'Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)' b-side, 'Laughing With The Fools' from 1982 - Thanks Minna. Click below to watch the clip at You Tube.

 France Magazine - Interview with Toyah Willcox
 Friday 6th February, 2009.........................................................Press Clips
A, just recenty discovered, interview dating from 2006:

Star of the 1980s punk scene TOYAH WILLCOX is busier than ever. She tells Amy Carroll how she fell in love with Menton and why her apartment there is the perfect place to be creative... 

What is it about the French way of life that makes you feel you’re escaping to somewhere really special?

My first experience of how the French do things was in 1984 when I was filming The Ebony Tower with Laurence Olivier. We stayed in a château in the Dordogne and it was all shabby gentry style. Even the countess, our host, had no pretensions. It was all about family, evenings eating home-made fish soup and chatting around the table. It’s the same in Menton. It’s sleepy and most visitors are retirees. There’s very little interest in strangers and the locals leave you to your own business. It’s so laid back and quality of life always comes before work. 

You’ve recently appeared on Masterchef and enjoy cooking at home. Do you take inspiration from the cuisine on the Riviera? 

I like trying out new recipes but out here, I’m not equipped for cooking. The culture is for eating out so, like most people, I have a tiny kitchen. I usually make a daily trip to the fabulous glasscovered market in the square. I buy fresh fruit and wonderful salad produce – most of which I don’t even know the name for in English because we don’t have it back home. Then, I usually eat on my balcony, enjoying the fabulous view over the harbour. 

You come out here to write. Apart from the obvious beauty of the place, what is it that brings out your creativity? 

Well, sleep isn’t something I aspire to and I love solitude. So, when I’m out here, sitting on my balcony until the early hours of the morning, I find it a great place to contemplate. The light in this town is incredible and the place just lends itself to being creative. I think I always have a sense of urgency when I’m here too. Even though the pace is relaxing and slower, and I can switch off my mobile phone and not worry about being interrupted. I know I’m only here for short periods of time so I click into super-creative gear to make the most of it. 

Is it true that Menton is popular with arty types? 

Menton definitely attracts artists. I found out about it because my percussionist has a place here. But it also has a strong French community and there are plenty of local sculpture artists, jewellery-makers and painters. The place seems to hold an interest for surrealists. I like that type of art because it takes you beyond real life; it’s not just a photocopy of what we see. 

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time? 

I’ve never been comfortable on the beach but I love the outdoors, so I go for really long walks. You can walk into Italy from here. I also love buying antiques. I’ve found a shop that specialises in antique fairground pieces. The treasures you’ll find in there are absolutely astonishing – I’ve just bought a wonderful church mirror. I’ve discovered that if I go every so often, over the course of two or three months, I can barter a bit and eventually get a good price. 

How easy was it for you to buy your apartment?

The first time I came to look at property here I couldn’t afford anything and so I bought an off-plan apartment close to Nice, in Èze. Once I had made some money from renting that out, I looked again at Menton and fell in love with this apartment as soon as I stepped inside and saw the sea view through the French windows. I paid 345,000 Euros for it and only needed to do basic updating inside – painting, new flooring and the central heating. 

With the time you’ve spent in France, have any French songwriters made a lasting impression on you?

Not really. A lot of my work comes out of silence. I rarely even listen to music. I require non-interference and up here, 67 steps up from the old harbour, and three flights of stairs up from the front door, I’m incredibly high up and I can only really hear the church bells. It’s ideal for me. I love the place to bits. 

View the original article here.

 Quadrophenia hits the stage
 Monday 2nd February, 2009.........................................................Theatre
It had to happen!

A stage production of Quadrophenia is set to tour the UK this spring and summer.

Details are still sketchy at the moment regarding who is to star in or direct the 'iconic rock opera', but the production is set to remain faithful to the film and album created by The Who. Set in London and Brighton, Quadrophenia tells the story of the 60s mod scene through the eyes of a hedonistic and confused teenager called Jimmy. You should know the rest by now.

Venues the tour will visit have been confirmed, so far, as: Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Birmingham Hippodrome, Manchester Opera House, Sunderland Empire Theatre, and Liverpool Empire.

Source: Mod Culture [www.modculture.info]

 30 Years Of Music: 1979 - 2009
 Monday 2nd February, 2009............................................................Music
Simon Phillips talks about Toyah:

I was called by her producer to play a session for one of her singles. I had never worked with the producer but I had worked at the studio, Marquee Studios in London, many times. I thought it would be a strange mixture - me coming from the Rock Fusion arena into a post punk arena.

I was intrigued with Toyah anyway having watched her on a few TV shows at the time and I really enjoyed working with her. It was quite by accident that I ended up playing in her band. Joel Bogen, her writing partner, approached me about touring with them and at the time I had just finished playing with Jeff Beck and was playing with another band - who eventually went on to become huge - but I was not happy with that situation. I needed something more challenging and more provocative musically. So I gave up the opportunity to become a "Rock Star" and joined a punk band! I had a great time and it was the first time in my life that I was the oldest member of a band I played in. The songs gave me absolute freedom to play in a slightly different way than I had before - and very creative.

Simon Phillips: February 2003

 The Films Of Derek Jarman
 Monday 2nd February, 2009...........................................................Events
The Walker Art Centre in Minneapolis will run a short Derek Jarman Film Season later this month. This will include Jubilee (but no The Tempest).

The Films of Derek Jarman: February 20th - 26th, 2009
Jubilee; Directed by Derek Jarman
Saturday, February 21, 2009: 2:00 pm

As audacious today as it was more than 30 years ago, Jarman’s time-travel fantasy sends Queen Elizabeth 400 years into the future, to a glitter punk-populated United Kingdom. With star turns by the Slits, transgender legend Wayne County, Little Nell, Toyah Willcox, and a pre–Prince Charming Adam Ant, Jubilee is an anarchic cult classic with a pounding score that includes Siouxsie and the Banshees, Brian Eno, and the Sex Pistols. 1977, 35mm, 100 minutes. Screening will begin at 2 pm.

Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403

 Vampires Rock - Newsy Bits & Pieces!
 Monday 2nd February, 2009.........................................................Theatre
• Toyah's first Vampires Rock appearance of 2009 took place last night in Worthing. This show had been rescheduled from December.

• The next Vampires Rock date for Toyah will be at The Waterfront Hall, Belfast on Friday 13th February. Followed by Perth Concert Hall on Friday 27th February.

• After that, and just the day after Perth, Vampires Rock hits London for two dates at The Shaw Theatre: Saturday 28th February and Sunday 1st March. [www.theshawtheatre.com]

The Times published a substantial feature/interview with Steve Steinman in mid-January, titled How I Made It: Steve Steinman, Founder of Rockman Music

• The Official Vampires Rock website is frequently updated with news and information on the show [www.vampiresrock.com]

 Toyah @ The Gay Nation
 Monday 2nd February, 2009.........................................................Internet
Keep an eye on www.gaynation.co.uk over the next few weeks and months. Dean Stockings is photographing Toyah soon for the online magazine.

Gay Nation is a newly launched online magazine: Welcome to the first issue of The Gay Nation, a refreshing new online magazine which is taking the UK by storm. Our Myspace and Facebook pre-launch has already generated thousands of enthusiastic fans all looking forward to our official launch and we know we won’t disappoint.

 Top 50 Showbiz Comebacks 
 Monday 2nd February, 2009.....................................................Television
Toyah popped up on Sky 3 last night in Top 50 Showbiz Comebacks. This originally aired in 2008. Toyah commented on a variety of comebacks, including Stephen Fry, Jason Donovan, Tony Blackburn, Billie Piper, Joan Collins, Take That, The Spice Girls and Madonna.


[ SUPERFEATURE: 25 Years of The Changeling ]

[ SUPERFEATURE: Jubilee - Toyah is Mad! ]

[ SUPERFEATURE: Toyah's GLITTERing beginning! ]

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