Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Toyah Willcox, singer and actress, was surprised by Michael Aspel while filming a scene for the film Julie and the Cadillacs on location at an office block on London's Albert Embankment.

Toyah, who was born in Kings Heath, Birmingham, joined the city's Old Rep Theatre School at the age of 14 and later worked as a dresser in local theatres. Her appearance in the television play Glitter in 1976 led to performances in the Derek Jarman films Jubilee and The Tempest and stage work with the National Theatre and Royal Court.

Having established herself as an actress, she decided to make a name for herself as a singer. Between 1977 and 1983, she fronted the eponymous band Toyah before embarking on a solo career in the mid-1980s. Her hit singles, which she co-wrote, include It's a Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains, and I Want to Be Free.

"Oh wow! I don't know what to say! Oh dear! Have you found any friends?"

programme details...

• Edition No: 950
• Subject No: 925
• Broadcast date: Fri 4 Oct 1996
• Broadcast time: 8.00-8.30pm
• Recorded: Tue 2 Jul 1996
• Venue: Teddington Studios
• Series: 37
• Edition: 3
• Code name: Mystery

on the guest list...

• Robert Fripp - husband
• Leslie Ash
• Beric - father
• Barbara - mother
• Kim - brother
• Chris - sister-in-law
• Toby - nephew
• Nicola - sister
• Frank - brother-in-law
• Karen Howell
• Bina Jaraij
• Derek Goddard
• Kevin Godley
• members of Girlschool
• Michael Groth
• Wayne Sleep
• Ron Moody
• Tony Bicât
Filmed tributes:
• Tim Pigott-Smith
• pupils of Edgbaston C of E College for Girls
• Ian Lavender
• Noddy Holder

related appearances...

• Lisa Clayton - Sep 1995
• Noddy Holder - Dec 1996
• The Night of 1000 Lives - Jan 2000
• Kevin Woodford - May 2001

production team...

• Researcher: Clare de Vries
• Writer: Ian Brown
• Director: Rick Gardner
• Associate Producer: Sue Green
• Executive Producer: Gill Stribling-Wright
• Producer: John Graham

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

Top of the Pops

charting the pop stars

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

Noddy Holder

Ian Lavender

Wayne Sleep

Screenshots of Toyah Willcox This Is Your Life