By YORK MEMBERY

Published: 10:14 BST, 1 April 2025 | Updated: 10:14 BST, 1 April 2025

We catch up with singer, actress and TV presenter Toyah Willcox on her top holiday spots and why she was regularly strip-searched on arrival at certain destinations during her early years touring.

Earliest holiday memory? 

Playing on the estuary between Rock and Padstow in Cornwall, aged two or three. 

My siblings and I spent all day in an out of the water and I snacked on everything from candyfloss to cockles.

First trip abroad?

Jersey when I was seven. 

I fell in love with the island. 

Among the highlights was visiting Devil’s Hole, a 200ft deep crater, but I was disappointed that we didn’t get to meet the Devil.

Toyah Willcox speaks exclusively to the Mail

Toyah Willcox speaks exclusively to the Mail

Toyah Willcox's first trip abroad was to Jersey at the age of seven. A highlight for her was Devil's Hole (pictured), a natural crater on the north coast of the island, measuring about 100ft

Toyah Willcox’s first trip abroad was to Jersey at the age of seven. A highlight for her was Devil’s Hole (pictured), a natural crater on the north coast of the island, measuring about 100ft

Toyah performing at Rewind South Festival  in Henley-on-Thames in 2023. She will also be performing at Rewind Dublin, Rewind at Dreamland and Rewind Cork later this year

Toyah performing at Rewind South Festival  in Henley-on-Thames in 2023. She will also be performing at Rewind Dublin, Rewind at Dreamland and Rewind Cork later this year

Earliest touring memory? 

My frustration as a vegetarian on learning that everything food-wise in Germany arrived with bacon, even the cabbage.

How’s touring changed?

On my first UK tour in 1977 I travelled to gigs on a motorbike; now I drive in my car or have a driver.

Most exotic gig?

A clifftop concert in Bali with the likes of Belinda Carlisle in front of a cruise ship audience watching from the sea below. Sadly, I had to catch a flight back to the UK the next day to play at Butlin’s in Bognor.

Ever fallen foul of customs?

In 1979-80 I was considered a ‘punk rocker’ and on landing in Sweden and Finland my band and I were taken off to a room and strip-searched. 

Toyah was considered a 'punk' in her early career, and lived in a converted British Rail warehouse called 'Mayhem', which she also used as her studio

Toyah was considered a ‘punk’ in her early career, and lived in a converted British Rail warehouse called ‘Mayhem’, which she also used as her studio

Favourite hotel?

The Country Park, on the Hull estuary.

Your dream destination? 

I would love to revisit Bermuda and Belize, both of which are special to me.

For info on Toyah’s forthcoming festival appearances visit toyahwillcox.com.

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Strictly star Toyah Willcox reveals why she was strip-searched in Sweden

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