Toyah Willcox: ‘Strictly made me expose my greatest vulnerability after 45 years of showbiz’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Toyah Willcox had to expose the one thing she’s most conscious about during her Strictly Come Dancing stint (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

She has over four decades of performing experience under her belt, but it took Strictly Come Dancing to really push Toyah Willcox out of her comfort zone.

The pop icon, 66, was the second contestant eliminated from the show’s 20th series, having danced a jive, a tango, and a samba for the nation with professional partner Neil Jones, 42.

Despite getting the chop so early on in the competition, the TV presenter has zero regrets about signing up for the BBC dance show, which ‘changed’ her as a person and how she perceives herself.

Toyah, this year’s oldest contestant, certainly didn’t have an easy ride, though, as the glitzy Strictly makeover forced her to expose her biggest insecurity to millions of viewers each weekend.

Speaking exclusively to Metro, the singing sensation explained that, unusually, dancing on live television didn’t faze her, but what did was having to showcase her legs.

‘The training didn’t worry me, the live shows didn’t worry me; I’ve been performing live shows for 45 years, a lot of theatre and a lot of live music. I loved all of that.

The pop icon was partnered with World Champion Neil Jones (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

‘I am very shy about my legs. My legs have never been great, but they are strong, brilliant, and work for me. I had to expose that vulnerability.

‘The shoes didn’t suit me greatly. I don’t tend to wear strappy shoes. I was having to do things that I would never normally do, and this is why I went into Strictly.

‘You do these things to experience something new, and I had to hold my confidence tight to me when it came to my legs being on display next to Nadiya (Bychkova) or Jowita (Przystał), it was like, oh my god! I’m standing next to these brilliant dancers who are all under the age of 30, and I’ve got to have my legs in tights!’

Toyah went on to say that the Strictly rollercoaster helped her feel ’24 years old again’, praising the show for helping her get into ‘extraordinary shape’ as she trained for seven hours a day and transformed her diet.

However, the programme also offered her ‘a very important perspective on who [she] is today’.

‘I had the mindset of a 24-year-old, and I don’t work much with young people. Strictly was the first time I was in a room with at least 28 other people who were a lot younger than me!’, she recalled.

‘It helped me put myself into perspective, that I am 66 years old, that I am seen as someone who is wise and can give information to people. I should perhaps stop wearing short dresses.

Toyah and Neil were eliminated second (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

The singer had to be brave when exposing her legs (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

‘It gave me that perspective, and I’m very, very grateful for that, because I think I’d have gone on behaving like a 24-year-old for the rest of my life, so I see myself in a much more palatable and sensible way now.’

Despite the show’s ‘Keeeep dancing!’ tagline, Toyah can’t see herself becoming a ballroom professional anytime soon.

She described the art form as being ‘on par with gymnastics’, given how performers contort their bodies into uncomfortable positions while striving for perfection.

‘Neil, my partner, took me to see the dance championships at the Albert Hall, where people had been dancing from the age of six. They were just extraordinary.

‘The positions the women have to hold where their back is extended backwards, I said to Neil, “That’s not enjoyable, but I understand why you do it.”

‘I’m still dancing now, but I’m doing disco dancing and freeform, and I’m not sure if I would ever go back to ballroom… but I’m really glad I experienced it.’

Following her Strictly stint, where she proved there’s no age limit on experiencing joy on the dancefloor, Toyah is still using her platform to offer education to older people.

Toyah is now helping to educate older generations about using technology

The 80s star has teamed up with Smart Energy GB on their new campaign to help older generations understand smart meters.

Their campaign comes after a poll of 1,000 over-65s found 26% want to get better at using technology but feel held back.

Actress Toyah said she was keen to get involved because she, too, feels ‘very much part of the majority’ when it comes to tech.

‘It’s very easy to write an email and press send, but when it comes to other technology, I think my age group are shy about it,’ she said.

‘A smart meter accurately reads your usage and power and sends accurate readings to your energy provider, but you also have an in-home display which shows what you’re using, how much it’s costing you in real time.

‘This is especially important in winter, and it’s very easy to use. Importantly, this at-home display has none of your personal details, and it’s not spying on you. It’s informing you.’

Alongside her extra campaigns, Toyah is gearing up to perform around the country with her husband, Robert Fripp, for a series of dazzling Christmas gigs.

Toyah continues to sell out live gigs with her husband, Robert Fripp (Picture: C Brandon/Redferns)

She joked that she’s ‘relieved’ to still be working in her sixties (Picture: C Brandon/Redferns)

On remaining one of the top-selling vinyl artists and continuing to sell out live venues, Toyah joked that she’s ‘relieved’ to still be working.

‘I love variety, I love communication, and you won’t hear many musicians say to you that one of the most amazing things about singing is you’re communicating. You’re bringing people good memories and nostalgia!

‘When I’m singing on stage, it’s about connection and deep, emotional healing, and I don’t know how I could ever live without that. It’s phenomenal.’

Toyah Willcox is encouraging people across the country to make their lives easier by upgrading to a smart meter.

The final of Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 6pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More