The cover of 'Seven Days' pictures a couple of snogging punks: "Lust of the mohicans", while inside Toyah is pictured under the headline: "Punk bands all day and all of the night at Wasted 2005".

The article says of Toyah: "Despite the rather unsympathetic weather, thousands of music fans poured into Morecambe at the weekend for the Wasted 2005 punk festival.

A number of big names including The Stranglers, The Undertones and Toyah joined an eclectic line-up of over 150 bands to entertain the enthusiastic crowds...

Saturday afternoon's highlight for me was Goldblade whose frontman, the TV pundit and journalist, John Robb, put on a characteristically energetic show.

Following what was apparently her debut spoken-word performance at The Platform, Toyah put on an enjoyable show in The Market Arena to a large and appreciative crowd, to the surprise of a number of cynics - myself included.

Many thanks to John Shepherd for this.

There was a slight air of (friendly) animosity from the regular Loose Women, most saying they wouldn't have cosmetic surgery. But Toyah already had to deal with similar when she guested on BBC Radio 4's Midweek in March of this year.

Toyah argued her points well, though, and came across as intelligent and knowledgable about the subject she was discussing.

She mentioned that since her surgery she hasn't felt threatened while walking alone at night. That she did have her facelift because it would help her in her career, but also because she hated how she looked in the mirror.

She also talked about why she "came out". She kept a diary, started emailing it to people, and eventually thought: "Wait a minute, there's a revolution going on here. So I just took it to a publisher and got it published"

Kaye Adams asked: "Isn't there the potential downside, that people , instead of thinking 'Toyah looks great' will think first 'Toyah's had a facelift!'.

Toyah replied: "I don't care, I just don't care. My life's about me, I live in this island, no one else does. I'm not bothered about it, I've had far worse things said about me for 30 years."

Toyah also mentioned the negative article the 'News Of The World' magazine SUNDAY ran a few months ago, 'From Beauty to Beast': "I just thought, 'That is exactly why I've had the facelift!'.

Kaye Adams: "The other argument is, is that you are buying into it, you're making yourself vulnerable because you're saying 'Yes, I am being judged by the way I look"

Toyah replied: "I'm not buying into anything. The only thing that frightens me about ageing is ill-health and boredom... All I'm buying into is longevity and a healthy future!"

Jane McDonald said she admired Toyah for "admitting" she has had a facelift on TV.

Kaye Adams: "You've been great at articulating your point of view, and it's a very valid point of view!"

The Gallery has also been updated with a collection of pictures from Saturday's 'Wasted' appearance.

The Ayrshire gig, at Culzean Castle, has now been confirmed. This will be part of the NTS 'Live On The Lawn' day, and is a 20 minute set with the house band used for the 'Here & Now' concerts.

The Official site has also announced four further Toyah gigs/appearances, one for 05, and three for early 2006. With the possibility of more to come.

• Toyah - Live 2005
Saturday 2nd July : Hastings - Beer festival (full band)
Friday 12th August : Ayrshire - NTS Live On The Lawn (H&N band)
Sunday 20th August : South Shields - Cookson Festival (H&N band)
Friday 16th September : Wolverhampton - The Robin (full band)
Saturday 15th October : Skegness (full band) 
Saturday 19th November : Bognor (full band) 
Saturday 3rd December : Minehead (PA)

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

A number of the above dates are subject to change. 

They also reveal that Toyah's one woman show ‘An Audience with Toyah’ will also premiere in September. Further details on the Offical website very soon.

The 'Wasted' Punk Festival, various venues, Morecambe - As has been highlighted elsewhere in this paper, Wasted's somewhat eclectic line-up attracted a noticeably wider range of gig-goer than has been seen in the resort in previous years, writes Jon Carter.

Alongside many of the usual suspects were several newcomers to the festival including big names of the punk era such as The Stranglers, The Undertones and Toyah.

Each of the four venues had distinct flavours and the event organisers are to be congratulated on their almost perfect balance of acts over the weekend. For the first time I rarely had to decide where I wanted to be at any given time and clashes between bands I wanted to see only happened occasionally.

Thursday evening saw me taking it fairly easy in The Platform where a frankly odd set by Ed Tudorpole was a personal highlight of the festival. 

My Friday night was spent mainly in The Carleton, with just a brief wander to The Dome for The Dead Pets, to indulge in a psychobilly extravaganza including blistering sets by Coffin Nails, Demented Are Go and The Hyperjax, who for those who missed them will be appearing at Lancaster's Yorkshire House this Saturday (May 28).

Elsewhere Sham 69 played to what I'm told was a packed Dome as 80s 'hardcore' giants The Exploited followed Charlie Harper's UK Subs onto the stage in the Market Arena.
Outfit

Saturday afternoon's highlight for many were journalist, TV pundit and all-round bighead John Robb's irrepressible Goldblade, who at one time were joined onstage by kiddie punk outfit Outlaws who recently performed on Blue Peter. 

Following what can only be described as an unusual spoken-word appearance at The Platform by Toyah Willcox, the actress/singer put on a surprisingly slick and well-received show in the Market Arena to an impressive and generally impressed crowd.

Angelic Upstarts gave their best but I soon lost interest and I found myself enjoying the poetic delights of Atilla The Stockbroker back over at The Platform before venturing back into the main Arena to check out The Undertones.

The Stranglers, who since Hugh Cornwell left some years ago, have struggled to creep out of the shadow of their former selves but with a recent critically acclaimed album and an ever confident live set have recreated themselves admirably.

Morecambe Today - They're punky, but I'm not so perky

It's the Monday after the four-day Wasted Festival and I'm not a pretty sight, writes Garth Hamer.

Lack of sleep, a throbbing head and a constant buzzing in the old ear drums and I'm meant to try and review it all.

The re-scheduling of the festival to May unfortunately brought some wet weather and you had to feel sorry for those camping out in the elements.

Musically the festival was a great success with the acoustic stage in the Platform introduced last year providing a respite from the wall of noise in other venues.

The Platform witnessed punk bingo, comedy, spoken word acts like Toyah Willcox who read 'Jackanory' style, cowboy tomfoolery and acoustic sets from the likes of Chumbawamba and TV Smith.

Big name bands like The Stranglers delivered the goods, mixing old favourites like Nuclear Device and No More Heroes with the songs from their excellent latest release Norfolk Coast. I saw many great bands like The Briefs, The New York Relx and the Dead Pets whose set included a live marriage proposal. The girl said yes.

If I had to choose a highlight it would have to be The Undertones, whose set included the classics Get Over You, My Perfect Cousin and of course, Teenage Kicks.

Toyah, as with the 'Wasted' gig last Saturday, will be playing with a full live band. The doors open at 6pm and there are 2 acts on before Toyah - a local band and a Madness tribute band.

Tickets can be purchased for the entire weekend, or if preferred day tickets are available. A day ticket costs £12 (plus £1.50 booking fee). The ticket information centre in Hastings is the only source for tickets - their email is hic@hastings.gov.uk and you can buy tickets over the phone on 01424 781111.

Thanks to Stuart (aka 74sjh) at the Dreamscape Forum.

The two-page feature also included Jenny Boyd and DJ Jono Coleman among others.

"You only live twice - Does reincarnation exist?  In a new TV series, celebrities are hypnotized and regressed to see if they have lived before, while a ‘history detective’ looks for factual evidence of their stories. Here, three of the stars describe the experience."

Toyah guests on Have I Been Here Before? this Friday, ITV1 @ 1.30pm.

From December, the joint venture - formed by Howard Panter for ATG and David Ian for CCE, with producer Kevin Wood as chief executive - will stage pantomimes at eight venues across the UK.

Commenting on the season launch, Panter, managing director of ATG, said: “First Family Entertainment is a brand new pioneering and exciting partnership between CCE and ATG, which will ensure that each show offers the very best in traditional, professional, top-quality family entertainment. We are delighted with our inaugural line up of performers and productions, with several of the principal actors, including Richard Wilson, Susan Hampshire, Simon Callow, Jonathan Wilkes, John Barrowman, Stephen Gately, John Rhys-Davies and Caprice, making their pantomime debut this year.”

Featuring the traditional pantomimes Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin and Mother Goose performed at venues in Brighton, Bromley, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Richmond, Stoke, Wimbledon and Woking, the season will also feature regular pantomime performers Bobby Davro and Christopher Biggins, as well as singers Stephen Gately and Toyah Willcox, and TV stars Patsy Kensit, Simon Shepherd, Shaun Williamson, Henry Luxemburg and Eric Potts.

Kaye Adams, and a mix of other female celebrities, on the topical talk show that looks at issues from a female perspective, blending humour, debate and outspoken opinion.

Loose Women : ITV1 - Wednesday 25th May : 2.00pm

This short programme was part of the channel's 'Education' strand.

"Toyah Willcox demonstrates how to disable an attacker using basic self defence with the aid of various objects from the broom cupboard..."

"Actress, writer, and 80's pop icon Toyah Willcox  unleashes her repertoire of self defence moves on an unsuspecting array of broom cupboard objects. For today's reconstruction she will be using a mop-head, a hat-stand, a free-standing shelving unit, a bag of dog biscuits, an elephant's foot umbrella stand, a standard lamp, and a space hopper...."

This was actually very funny. The editing was clever, Toyah's facial expressions and movements quite comical. Very entertaining (and informative:o)) and providing scope for some very cool screen captures.

Please check back soon to Dreamscape's CAPTURED section for a page of caps from this.

No details as yet of which Toyah song it will be, or when the CD is to be released.

"When RememberTheEighties.com was set up in 2002 I had no idea that it would capture people's attention and become this popular, which put me into a difficult place... to keep the site running and up to date takes a huge amount of work; there's the tracking down of the stories; compiling and sending the weekly newsletter; the arranging interviews, doing the interviews, typing them up and getting them online; there's the competitions to arrange and put online; the sending of prizes etc.

You get the idea... RememberTheEighties.com is a lot of work and although it's work I'm happy to do it does tend to take time away from the other things that I should be doing in my life - I work for myself so time is money and all that!

So the question then arose about how to make money from the site - not fortunes, but enough to allow me the time to keep it running?

I knew that I didn't want to cover the site with adverts and banners and those irritating pop-ups and I knew that I wanted the site to be free to access, so I decided to look into selling things... first of all I thought of t-shirts (they are designed and they will be online very soon!) and then I thought about music.

After all this site is all about reconnecting people with the artists they loved in the eighties, so why not do a compilation of NEW material from some of those artists and sell that?

So that's what I've done. 

'This Is Not Retro' is the name of the label and the first compilation will be available to buy online very soon... I don't want to give too much away just yet, but the album will feature contemporary tracks from around 20 of the artists regularly featured on this site!"

Self Defence. Celebrities explain how to handle extraordinary situations using everyday objects found around the house and office. Toyah Willcox demonstrates how to disable an attacker, with the aid of various objects from the broom cupboard. 

Don't forget that Toyah guests on Have I Been Here Before? this Friday afternoon on ITV1

"Phillip Schofield presents a series in which celebrity guests regress to their past lives. 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?"

Toyah is also rumoured to be guesting on Loose Women sometime this week. The show is on each weekday, 2 - 2.45pm. ITV1. (Thanks to Waddy)

While on the subject of daytime ITV1, can I just mention that Maggie Kirkpatrick (most famous for playing Joan 'The Freak' Ferguson on Prisoner: Cell Block H) will be guesting on The Paul O'Grady Show one evening this week (ITV1 5pm). Paul is in for a big surprise!! I'm giving it a little plug because I maintain Maggie's website too [www.geocities.com/maggieksite].

Toyah, of course, played a SPOKEN WORD set at The Platform, before a FULL BAND set at The Market Arena a couple of hours later.

The Live section has slowly built up to be an (hopefully) interesting chronicle of Toyah's live appearances and gigs since Dreamscape first started in 2000. As well as an overview page of Toyah's live history.

The new 'Wasted' page wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic Toyah pictures John Shepherd took at yesterday's festival, and the information submitted by a couple of really helpful Toyah fans.

Likewise, every other page wouldn't be the same without the photograph and information contributions by numerous people from dozens of gigs from over the years.

Each and every one is much appreciated. It's good that so many people have helped build up a visual reference to Toyah's live Noughties history!

2005 is shaping up to be an interesting year for Toyah live dates, with PA's at nighclubs, full band sets at festivals, including headlining at the 'Hastings Beer Festival' in July, and a private appearance along the way too. 

Already there has been four great shows this year (Blackpool, Dublin and two in Morecambe) with, at least, another six to look forward to.

Please click on the loooooong screenshot to view the new 'Wasted' page, or browse through any of the 15 sections included.

Not sure of it's just the picture, but the colour of the outfit/tutu looks more plum than black here!

• With songs from 'Sheep Farming In Barnet', 'The Blue Meaning', 'Anthem', and 'Love Is The Law' tonight's set was a real Safari-fest for fans who managed to make it to Morecambe.

• Toyah almost included 'Till Victory' by Patti Smith in her set.

• The big surprise, in a set-list of surprises, was the inclusion of 'I Explode' in the 14 song set. A song Toyah has played live very rarely. Was it perhaps played on some of the 'Rebel Run' 1983 tour dates?

• Amazing to see 'Little Tears Of Love' included. Definitely Toyah's best song of the Noughties, and one of the finest of her 26 year long recording career.

• The final song was 'I Want To be Free'. Toyah gave the audience the choice between that or  Guns 'N Roses' 'Sweet Child O Mine'.

• Toyah said of 'I Want To Be Free': "This is a clapometer song. I want to hear you!"

• I managed to hear two of the songs; 'She Sells Sanctuary' and 'Ieya' - Both sounded excellent.

THANKS again to John Shepherd for the great Toyah pictures.

The atmosphere is amazing too. I heard a bit on the phone. 'Ieya' sounded awesome!

Hello I Love You - The Doors
Obsolete
Race Through Space
Neon Womb 
Little Tears Of Love
Thunder In The Mountains
Jungles Of Jupiter
Our Movie
It's A Mystery
Danced
I Explode
She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult
Ieya
I Want To Be Free

Toyah is indeed wearing the short black tutu that Robert mentioned recently in his online diary.

Well guessed Andi (elus!ve stranger @ the Forum) ;o)

Massive THANKS to John Shepherd for the picture 

John said: "The spoken word was a bit bizarre. It was a fable/story. I was not paying attention, too busy taking photos, though trust me to sit where the microphone was right infront of her face.

She signed photographs and met fans for about ten minutes afterwards, very friendly to everyone. Mr Tin Tin was playing body guard, managed to say a quick hello."

As I type this Toyah should be onstage for her music set...

Massive THANKS to John for the picture and information.

'I just couldn't look in the mirror any more,' says Toyah.

The interview focuses on topics covered in numerous other interviews over the past few months, but Toyah does reveal details about her next "project".

"My next project is a TV drama where I play a 35-year-old.

"I'm 47! The irony is that when I was 35, I never got to play 35-year-olds. On TV then I was being asked to play 45-year-olds."

The 'Weekly News' is on sale at newsagents for the next few days.

Thanks to Rhona Howard for this.

Her MUSIC set will be at The Market Arena: 6.50pm. Not sure how long the set will be but the next band is scheduled onstage @ 8.10pm.

To everyone who is going - Have a Toyahtastic time. Could someone PLEASE take a few pics and a mental note of the set-list? It would be appreciated muchly!

Thanks to John at the Dreamscape Forum for the info.

The celebration of punk music and culture runs from today, with a pre-event party at the Carleton, until Sunday.

Several Morecambe venues will be used, including the Dome, the Market Arena and the Platform.
Artists appearing will include The Stranglers, The Undertones, Toyah Willcox and returning by popular demand, Chas and Dave.

A weekend ticket costs £75 (£80 when bought during the festival) and a single day ticket costs £25 (£30 during the festival). There are no Thursday only tickets.

They can be bought locally from Morecambe Tourist Information Centre, telephone 582808. 

There will also be an official 'Punk City' festival camp site at the Trimpell Club. Live bands will also appear at the Trimpell on both Friday and Sunday.

For more details log on to www.wastedfestivals.com

18th May 2005

"Toyah Willcox is regressed to reveal a past life of solitude in 15th-century Holland."

Have I Been Here Before? : ITV1 - Friday 27th May : 1.30pm

Two days in and two to go for Britain's - oh all right, the world's - biggest festival for punks, Morecambe, Lancs, of all places (May 19-22).

Wasted 2005 is attracting fans old, new and very old (even as old as the band members, some of 'em) to the seaside resort, as they attempt to recreate the spirit of the first punk explosion of 1977 and beyond.

No Clash, Buzzcocks or Sex Pistols, sadly. But the premier league of the movement is represented by the likes of The Stranglers and The Undertones.

Other big names from the vintage bondage trouser era include the superb Angelic Upstarts, Sham 69, 999, The Rezillos, Chelsea, Toyah (yes, the very same), Penetration, Peter and the Test Tube Babies and many others.

The suddenly-hip Chas and Dave - we reckon it's the Pete Doherty/Libertines namecheck factor that's done it - are also penned in for a Sunday slot.

Punk's Not Dead: it's just lost a bit of hair, had a few grandchildren and has got a retirement do coming up.

by Phil kemp
19th May 2005

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.

The seaside town will be taken over by spiky hair and circulation-stopping drainpipes as the annual four-day punk festival gets under way.

As of last night (Thursday) The Carleton, The Market Arena and The Dome play host to some of the biggest names in rebel rock including The Stranglers, Sham 69, The Exploited and er... Chaz and Dave.

Tonight (Friday), Morecambe's Market Arena springs into punk life as veterans the UK Subs, Anti Nowhere League and Drongs for Europe hit the stage. Meanwhile, a stone's throw away, Sham 69 and the Pubcrawlers play at the Dome and Combat Shock take over the Carleton.

Saturday is a star-studded day with The Stranglers, Toyah and the Undertones diving into action at the Market Arena.

Sunday sees punk favourites Wasted and chirpy Cockney duo Chas n Dave banging out some of their old favourites at The Dome while TV Smith and his band play at The Market Arena.

Tickets for Wasted are still available from the Morecambe Tourist Information Office. For details, call 01524-582808.

by Matt Donlan
Thursday 19th May 2005

The concert with Toyah, taking place on 12th August, also features Kim Wilde,The Strangles, and T'Pau.

http://www.nts.org.uk/

Best Wishes from Dreamscape and (I'm sure) all visitors.

They say the show will run from 9th Dec '05 - 22nd Jan '06.

No info on which role (Snow White?) Toyah will play, other cast members etc. as yet. Further information will become available in the coming months of 2005.

The CD will now be available on Monday 30th May. 

Cherry Records recently updated their website, including info on Toyah and this CD.

Originally from Birmingham Toyah Wilcox 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. 

Victims of the Riddle Part I / Victims Of The Riddle Part II / Neon Womb / Indecision / Waiting / Our Movie / Danced / Last Goodbye / Bird In Flight / Tribal Look / Leya / The Helium Song / Danced (Live) / Ghosts (Live) / Neon Womb (Live) / It's a Mystery / Revelations / Warboys / Angels and Demons.

The Stranglers
The Undertones
Angelic Upstarts
The Opressed
Toyah
The Subhumans
999
Goldblade
MDM
Stage Bottles
Los Fastidios

Unfortunately there is little information, at present, regarding Toyah's SPOKEN WORD set.

Not sure of ticket availability at this late stage but a day ticket costs £25. Tel: 02476 559992 

Thanks to Stuart and John at the Dreamscape Forum.

The National Trust for Scotland team up with Glastonbury producers to launch a festival of outdoor pop, rock, opera and jazz in some of Scotland's most stunning castles.

[ClickPress, Mon May 16 2005] The National Trust for Scotland has teamed up with Dick Tee, producer of the main stage at Glastonbury, to launch a mega-festival of outdoor rock, pop, opera and jazz. The legendary impresario, has been lured north of the border by the prospect of organising gigs at some of Scotland’s most stunning castles. 

Starting on 29th July, Ocean Colour Scene will kick of the series surrounded by the magnificent 16th Century splendour of Crathes Castle in Banchory, Aberdeenshire. The following night, Status Quo will rock all over Crathes with their brilliantly executed set of head-banging classics. The focus then turns to Edinburgh, with three very different musical treats. Newhailes, the 17th Century masterpiece that features in the Scottish Enlightenment, plays host to Fun Lovin’ Criminals on the 5th August, the Rat Pack (Live from Las Vegas) on 6th August and Amici Forever with the Scottish Opera Orchestra on 7th August. As if that wasn’t enough, the spectacular Robert Adam designed Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, will host 80’s legends The Stranglers, Kim Wilde, T’Pau and Toyah on 12th August. To round off, chart toppers Girls Aloud and Glasgow’s finest, Darius will share the bill on 13th August. 

Commenting on the extravaganza, Ian Preece, Head of Marketing at the National Trust for Scotland said: "The Trust is guardian of some of Scotland’s finest houses, castles, gardens and wildland. The history, stories, significance and settings make these properties ideal venues for music of all kinds. We are keenly aware that these properties acted as a focal point for their local communities and indeed the nation. We are therefore ensuring that this role continues through an array of exciting events, not least of which is the musical feast that we describe as Scotland’s national prom."

Tickets for the gigs can be obtained from today through the National Trust for Scotland website www.nts.org.uk or via the dedicated booking line 0870 1181931. A £3 booking fee applies. 

Summing up, Dick Tee said: "These shows are massive and exemplify the scale and scope of the Trust’s ambition to make its properties accessible to as wide an audience as possible. This has been a major undertaking over many months, lining up the headline acts, and we are also talking to some fantastic support bands too. It’s going to be a hot summer in many ways."

[Source: CLICK PRESS - Global News Distribution - 16th May 2005]

• Toyah - Live 2005
Saturday 21st May : Morecambe - Wasted Festival (full band) 
Saturday 2nd July : Hastings - Beer festival (full band)
Friday 12th August : Ayrshire - Culzean Castle (full band?)
Friday 16th September : Wolverhampton - The Robin (full band)
Saturday 15th October : Skegness (full band) 
Saturday 19th November : Bognor (full band) 
Saturday 3rd December : Minehead (PA)

Toyah has already made two live appearances this year, with PA's in Blackpool (Flamingo's) on 28th March and Dublin (The George) on 9th April.

TV personality Toyah Willcox attends the UK FiFi Awards at The Dorchester on April 25, 2005 in London, England. The awards mirror the International FiFi Awards in New York, recognizing the best fragrances launches in the previous year. As well as for best new male and female fragrances, awards are also given for the best advertising campaigns and packaging, with monies raised to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The Mirror - Seven Days With Sam Mann : ABOUT TOWN

As extreme makeover shows take over our screens showing people having bits cut off, added on, pulled and ironed out, the nation is going nip and tuck mad. But our favourite celebrities are the biggest culprits when it comes to denying having ever come into contact with a scalpel, knife or needle.

So bumping into '80s pop idol Toyah Willcox this week was a breath of fresh air as she was more than happy to tell me all about her recent facelift. In fact, she's so happy with the results that she's written a book all about it, A Diary Of A Facelift.

I was chatting to the fabulous-looking 46-year-old at the glitzy Laurent Perrier Pink Party, courtesy of the fabulous bubbly firm. It took place at the swanky Sanderson Hotel with celebrity guests including Patrick Kielty, David Seaman and Will Young, who was chilling in the garden area which was decked out with beautiful candles. Laydeez man David Walliams was hanging out with TV presenter Nick Knowles. Maybe he's given up on girls. On second thoughts, there's more chance of Elton turning straight.

[Source: The Mirror - 5th May 2005]

"2003 was a landmark year for AR. Building on the years of training, experience and self-teaching, the 3-track demo CD, ‘NEON', was produced. Containing two original works ('Fixated' & ‘High Life') and a rousing cover of the Toyah classic 'Rebel Run', as well as boasting a much more professional sound, this release has gained a substantial following. The intention is that this will be expanded to become a full album ... an intention that is soon to become a reality."

Please click on the screenshot to visit the website.

The "singer" performing the karaoke version of the song leaves a little to be desired, but it's interesting to see that the song has proved very popular with website visitors. It is one of the most popular people have picked to change the lyrics.

Thanks to Andrew York. Please click on the screenshot to visit the website.

These AMAZING pictures of Toyah are, I think, taken from the photo session that was shot for inclusion in the, now closed, 'Celebrity Homes' magazine.

Toyah was due to be included in the September/October 2004 issue and dozens of pictures were taken for the feature.

Judging by these it would have been a great article, and much more interesting than your common or garden 'OK!' or boring old 'Hello!' pieces!

This taken from a recent edition of UK tabloid 'The Mirror':

"A daytime show initally called Celebrity Regression has been retitled Have I Been Here Before? It involves stars being hypnotised on telly. Prepare your peepers for the sight of Shaun Williamson, Lisa I'Anson (yes, again), Jennie Bond and Joe Pasquale, among others, lying down and talking nonsense to therapist Andrea Foulkes.

Hosted by Phillip Schofield, it'll take the stars back to their previous lives.

You couldn't make it up."

Thanks to Paul Lomas.

What Women Really Want : UK Style - Sunday 22nd May : 8.00pm
What Women Really Want : UK Style Plus 1 - Sunday 22nd May : 9.00pm
What Women Really Want : UK Style - Sunday 22nd May : 10.30pm
What Women Really Want : UK Style Plus 1 - Sunday 22nd May : 11.30pm
Girlfriends. Get up close and personal with the female psyche in this pacy new series featuring feisty celebrity opinions and gripping true-life stories. In this episode, Jenny Eclair, Toyah Willcox, Jodie Marsh and Sarah Cawood discuss why their girlfriends are so important to them. Discover which celeb hates her own company, and who admits that even her best mates bitch about her behind her back. Miaow! Narrated by Ulrika Jonsson.

What Women Really Want : UK Style - Sunday 22nd May : 9.00pm
What Women Really Want : UK Style Plus 1 - Sunday 22nd May : 10.00pm
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!

Quadrophenia : TCM - Sunday 22nd May : 9.00pm
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, Philip Davis, Toyah Willcox, Mark Wingett and Sting.

Have I Been Here Before? : ITV1 - Weekday Afternoons : 1.30pm
Phillip Schofield presents a new series in which celebrity guests regress to their past lives. 

Toyah arrived hat-less, when the press saw John's pink hat they called for Toyah to put it on. Off it came from John's head, onto Toyah's, cue dozens of Paparazzi flash bulbs...

Toyah mentions this night out in her may 2005 Webletter, just added to her Official website:

"Soooooooooooooo…..here I am, the attention of the world press and I’m about enter the very exclusive Pink Party at the very exclusive Sandersons Hotel when a journalist asks me..."

Leap on over to www.toyahwillcox.com for Toyah on this, the Fifi party, Hell's Kitchen, and much more.

This was confirmed yesterday evening by Toyah's Official website.

It didn't make much sense anyway, as it would have clashed with, not only her 47th birthday, but also the 'Wasted' Festival in Morecambe. 

Toyah, of course, appeared, as Toolah, in the episode 'Find The Lady', along with the Toyah band. The episode finished with the band performing an ace version of 'Danced'. 

Eddie Shoestring is a scruffy computer expert who, having lost his job, starts working at a Bristol radio station as a phone-in host. He regularly solves callers' problems, which include all manner of mundane matters as well as missing persons. Features the complete Series One: Private Ear, Knock For Knock, Higher Ground, An Uncertain Circle, Listen To Me, Nine Tenths Of The Law, The Link-Up, Stamp Duty, Find The Lady, The Partnership and I'm A Believer. 

Shoestring - Complete Series 1 (Boxset) (DVD) (4 Discs)
Starring: Trevor Eve, Michael Medwin, Doran Godwin, Liz Crowther, Christopher Biggins, Gary Holton, Toyah Willcox. Directors: Douglas Camfield  Marek Kanievska. 

The Dreamscape Shop has been updated with all the latest Toyah CD's, DVD's and books. To browse the tantalising Toyah products please click on the Shoestring DVD cover image.

This excellent picture was taken while Toyah performed for the packed club.

The 'ShowBizIreland' website also ran a small article on Toyah's PA:

Toyah, ZOO, Laura & More...

There really is a wealth of quality performers filling out venues as diverse as The George to The Sugar Club each week in Dublin, here's a roundup of a few we covered...

80's legend Toyah Willcox was in Ireland's Premier gay club The George in the past few days with a performance as fresh as her surgically enhanced youthful looks.

Toyah's performance really is something that has to be seen live - the energy is amazing and her songs are classics. Although you could watch your Granny knitting in The George and still have an amazing night!

The George, Dublin: Saturday 9th April 2005 - Set List:

Echo Beach
Hangin' On The Telephone
Thunder In The Mountains
It's A Mystery
Sweet Child O Mine
I Want To Be Free
River Deep, Mountain High
Don't Stop Me Now

Andy Scott-Lee and Toyah Willcox are the latest celebrities to be added to the lineup for The Farm.

Both are no strangers to reality TV: Scott-Lee, 23, was a contestant on Pop Idol 2 while Willcox, 46, braved the Aussie jungle for the second series of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!

The Farm begins on Five next Monday, May 9. 

The Most Fertile Man In Ireland : Sky Movies 7 - Tuesday 17th May : 3.55am
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.

This release appears to be an edited version, with three songs, that previously appeared on the 1997 and 2002 CD's, not included.

No information on which label will be releasing 'Cabaret' or catalogue numbers etc. The CD is due for release on Monday 6th June 2005.

Tracklist:
Overture
Willkommen - Nigel Planer
Sitting Pretty
Mein Herr - Toyah Willcox
Two Ladies
Money Money - Toyah Willcox & Nigel Planer
Tomorrow Belongs To Me
Cabaret - Toyah Willcox
Don't Tell Mama
If You Could See Her - Nigel Planer

Former punk star Toyah confirmed as contestant on Five's The Farm

LONDON - Former punk singer Toyah Willcox and adult movie legend Ron Jeremy are lined up to star in the second series of Five's reality show 'The Farm', which kicks off next Monday.

Willcox appeared in 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' last year and made her name as a punk singer in the 1980s.

Long Island-born Jeremy has made more than 100 porn films and has also appeared in a number of mainstream roles, although his part on John Frankenheimer's 'Ronin' was cut by the film studio.

Also set to star in the new series is 23-year-old former 'Pop Idol' contestant Andy Scott-Lee, who is dating Liberty X's Michelle Heaton.

The series kicks off on May 9 and will run for 18 days to avoid a clash with Channel 4's 'Big Brother', which begins on May 27.

The new series, which is being hosted by camp makeover duo Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, will air for one hour each night at 10.30pm.

The programme was a strong ratings performer for Five when it first aired last year with former footballer Stan Collymore and Vanilla Ice as contestants. It reached a peak audience of more than 2.5m.

In November last year, Five was cleared of breaching the broadcasting code after showing 'sleazy seniorita' Rebecca Loos masturbating a boar on the show. Loos, who became famous after allegations she had an affair with David Beckham, was shown undertaking the task to collect semen from the boar

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 will be released by the Cherry Red Records label.

CD sleeves courtesy of Toyah's Official website: www.toyahwillcox.com

She was accompanied by her friends John (aka Ruby) and GMTV presenter Penny Smith.

Toyah wore a black jacket with vertical pink stripes, black trousers and also borrowed Ruby's pink hat for the occasion.

"Toyah Willcox attends the Laurent-Perrier Pink Party in aid of The Prince's Trust at the Sanderson Hotel on April 27, 2005 in London."

Toyah wore a black jacket with bright red polka dots, along with black trousers.

"Toyah Willcox presents the award for best new fragrance print advertisment at the UK FiFi Awards at The Dorchester on April 25, 2005 in London, England. 

The awards mirror the International Fifi Awards in New York, with monies raised benefiting the Teenage Cancer Trust."

The article, a Back To The 80's special, was to celebrate Toyah's recent facelift, titled "I've wanted a facelift for 20 years".

Toyah said of her surgery: "It changed my life for the better. When I look in the mirror, I see the energetic and feminine person I feel like inside. Not some woman past her prime."

Of the 'Be Proud' recreation she commented: "I wouldn't be able to do this if I hadn't had the surgery. I'd look like a desperate woman trying to recreate something long-gone. Instead, it feels a bit mad - but good."

Thanks to Andrew York for the picture.

Tickets are £15 in advance or £17 on the door on the night of the gig.

Website: www.therobin.co.uk

• Toyah - Live 2005
Saturday 21st May : Morecambe - Wasted Festival (full band) 
Saturday 2nd July : Hastings - Beer festival (full band)
Friday 16th September : Wolverhampton - The Robin (full band)
Saturday 15th October : Skegness (full band) 
Saturday 19th November : Bognor (full band) 
Saturday 3rd December : Minehead (PA)

Toyah has already made two live appearances this year, with PA's in Blackpool (Flamingo's) on 28th March and Dublin (The George) on 9th April.

Only ten of these were ever pressed and offered up as a prize via Toyah's official fanclub some 23 years ago. Until now few people even knew what this looked like.

Apparently the disc plays the same as the 12" 'Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)' clear vinyl picture disc, but, obviously, has a different picture inserted; the famous image used on the cover of the 1981 EP 'Four More From Toyah'. The reverse is plain white.

Congratulations to the winner who paid almost £200 to own one of the most sought after pieces of Toyah memoribilia. Go on... frame it! ;o)

Since the festival organisers dropped the Holidays In The Sun title and rebranded the three-day event a couple of years ago, the overall feel of the weekend has changed to one offering much wider appeal to an ever-growing and varied audience.

Of course, for many of the usual suspects it will be business as usual, with classic veteran punk acts such as GBH, Anti-Nowhere and UK Subs taking the stages. But there's also a new generation of younger punk-influenced bands like Jesse James and Dead Pets. And a whole flotilla of young US bands will be welcomed to the festival for the first time.

Some big names, too, will be appearing in Morecambe for the mid-May event. Singer and actress Toyah Willcox will be making her festival debut with a spoken-word appearance, with other first-timers including crusty favourites The Levellers and the rather fantastic Rezillos. Headline sets from The Stranglers plus appearances by Chas and Dave, Penetration and Chumbawamba should guarantee a fun time for all ticketholders.

As ever, the resort will explode with colour and vibrancy over the whole weekend and the shift to the earlier date in May should provide a significant and welcome early boost to tourism.

Tickets for the festival, which runs from Thursday, May 19, until Sunday, May 22, and will see gigs taking place at The Carleton, The Dome and the Market Arena, are available, priced just £75, from Morecambe Tourist Information Centre or by calling 582808.

For further details, including the full festival line-up, log on to the event's official website at: www.holidaysinthesun.net

• Toyah, and her facelift, was the subject of a small news story in the 'Mirror' newspaper on Tuesday 19th April. This wasn't included in the Scottish editions so I can't let you know what it consisted of.

Hell's Kitchen 2005
Toyah and John (aka Ruby) dined at ITV's Hell's Kitchen on Monday 18th April.

They chose the Red Kitchen, run by Gary Rhodes, and including the eventual winner (of a £250,000 prize) Terry from Newcastle, and were interviewed briefly on the main ITV1 show and Hell's Kichen: Extra Portions on ITV2 the next evening.

John said: "Toyah and myself had a brilliant time, we chose the red kitchen Garry Rhodes, we got all 3 courses and it was gorgeous..... We were lucky........, Toyah did several interviws for itv2, we were also interviewed @ the table..."

Toyah's hilarious soundbite, talking of the other Hell's Kitchen chef, Jean Christophe Novelli: "I'd like to peel him like a grape!", was shown a number of times throughout the reality series' two-week run.

Toyah in a tutu!
This from PJ Crook's website/online journal (14th April 05):

Then it's onto Robert and Toyah's for dinner. He's already showing Cressida and Charles the garden. Toyah's been busy preparing the food; she looks beautiful and very slender. When I ask about a three inch tutu that Alistair from the Darkroom has read that she will be wearing for a performance later in the year, she goes and gets it to show me - it's exquisite, tiny black net skirt and frills on the shoulder straps with a tight black velvet bodice. She designed it herself and it's just back from her dress maker. likewise the delicious dinner's is to Toyah's own recipe with lots of wonderful chat about Cressida's book on the Garman sisters and Toyah's Diary of a Facelift. The first edition of 35,000 has already almost sold out and it's going into a reprint. Charles hadn't realised that part of his business, The Real Flower Petal Company, which makes biodegradable confetti had supplied the Charles and Camilla wedding last weekend. In between courses we have a further tour of the house. It's very interesting to see their eclectic collection of paintings which range from early eighteenth century portraits to a group of large abstracts he's recently bought from an artist in Argentina.

The Gemstone Hope Appeal
Toyah will be guesting, including a short performance, at the Gemstone Hope Appeal's Ball at The Midland Hotel in Manchester on Saturday 18th June 2005.

Gemstone Hope Appeal is a fundraising organisation that was set up last year. Their aim is to raise as much money as possible for various charities that are close to all our hearts. Last year we raised over £8,000 for kidney research and Sir Cliff’s Charitable Trust.

Other guests include Gloria Hunniford, Rick Wakeman, and a host of Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars.

Tickets are £150 £100 and £75 each. If you would like any more info please contact Joy on 01724 782812 or 07970 856852-email joy.passman@btinternet.com 

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