Strictly’s Toyah Willcox: Everything you need to know about the ‘I Want to be Free’ singer

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Willcox has also appeared on dozens of reality shows, including the Christmas special of The Great British Sewing Bee, which she won in 2023. open image in gallery Toyah Willcox on ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ Chistmas special In 2018, Paul McCartney awarded Willcox a Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Companionship for Outstanding Achievement in music, drama, performance and media. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free “I’m used to performing for big crowds but this is completely fresh for me, how I will do, it’s a mystery… I just want to get cracking and learn some dance routines now!” Willcox said she was inspired by her friend, the broadcaster Angela Rippon, to take part in this year’s show. open image in gallery Willcox said she was inspired by her friend Angela Rippon “Well, I’d have to do it sooner rather than later, because I’m not going to be able to move like that in two years’ time,” she told The Mirror in April, before the announcement of her Strictly casting. Then at nine o’clock, they film the Sunday show, and I’m thinking, ‘Could I do this?’ “But, you know, the whole world wants to do Strictly, I wouldn’t say no.” Willcox will be joining 14 other celebrities about to Rumba, Cha Cha and Waltz into this year’s 20th anniversary series of Strictly, with names including EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, Olympian Tom Dean, Miranda actor Sarah Hadland and JLS singer JB Gill.