In a story that went viral, three years ago we broke the news that Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp’s Sunday Lunch was being turned into a movie. Now, we’re catching up with Toyah at Rewind South, where the 80s icon is once again celebrating the music that made her a household name — and, naturally, we’re keen to find out what’s happened to that movie. With almost 50 years in the business behind her, Toyah remains as passionate as ever about performing the hits, while looking to the future with her forthcoming album Future Dreaming. We talk Sunday Lunch, Quadrophenia, the enduring appeal of 80s music, and what comes next for one of Britain’s most enduring performers. It's a mystery; Eamon O'Neill.
Toyah at Rewind 2026. Photo: Chloe Gilmore
Hi Toyah, how are you doing?
I'm really good, thank you, I'm great.
What's it like to be coming back to Rewind and celebrating the 80s?
I love it. It's served me so well. I'm coming up to my 50th year in this business, and I just love the fact that audiences still love this music. I'm even doing a punk festival next April, so this music just lives on and on and on, and I am not complaining.
There's a man in your life who is a very, very capable guitar player, and we all love Sunday lunch. Are you going to get Robert Fripp on stage with you?
No, I don't think he even knows I'm here. He's very homeboy. It's alright.
We all love Sunday lunch, and the last time we spoke, you were telling me there was a movie coming out around it.
Well, we shot a lot of stuff. We were shooting a documentary for a company in New Zealand.
So, what is happening with all of that?
I don't know.
Because it went viral. That went big.
Oh, 161 million visitors to my YouTube channel. Yeah, it's big. They've got to make the movie first. They've got the footage. I don't think they've made it though.
I wanted to touch on something I never spoke to you about the last time: Quadrophenia. What was it like making that movie?
I was 20 years old. It was absolutely brilliant. It was astonishing, and everyone in that movie was incredible. You had Ray Winstone, Timothy Spall, you had Sting, Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash. I mean, the cast was just mind blowing, and we all loved being with each other. And Frank Rotheram, the director, he really brought the best out of all of us.
Were you a fan of The Who?
Yeah, and the album Quadrophenia. Oh my, it's one of the best.
Of course, you made your mark in the 80s as well, with so many big hits. Do you still enjoy performing them?
I love it, especially on a day like today, where the sun is out. Everyone is loving every minute. I can't wait to get up there.
That was a movement back then, but at the same time, people think of pop as being disposable. How important was it for?
Well, it was incredibly important. I was 23 years old. It was everything I wanted to do. When we did Top of the Pops, we had 17 million viewers. When I did Drury Lane Live for the Old Grey Whistle Test, 12 million viewers. I mean, those are big numbers, and I toured all over Europe in the UK. It was very, very special. Rock and roll was the rock and roll then. Football is the rock and roll today, and I think the fact that we are here performing this music in front of 30,000 people, it really says something about the longevity of what we did.
Speaking of longevity, I heard that you have a new album coming out.
Yeah, my singles start in January, and then I have three singles: January, February, March, and then the album's out in April, and it's called 'Future Dreaming'. Yeah, all completely brand new and 100% written by me.
Is Robert Fripp on it?
On two tracks, and it's been produced by a wonderful producer called Andy Brooke, who has just produced the most magnificent arrangements. I'm very excited about it.
I'm really good, thank you, I'm great.
What's it like to be coming back to Rewind and celebrating the 80s?
I love it. It's served me so well. I'm coming up to my 50th year in this business, and I just love the fact that audiences still love this music. I'm even doing a punk festival next April, so this music just lives on and on and on, and I am not complaining.
There's a man in your life who is a very, very capable guitar player, and we all love Sunday lunch. Are you going to get Robert Fripp on stage with you?
No, I don't think he even knows I'm here. He's very homeboy. It's alright.
We all love Sunday lunch, and the last time we spoke, you were telling me there was a movie coming out around it.
Well, we shot a lot of stuff. We were shooting a documentary for a company in New Zealand.
So, what is happening with all of that?
I don't know.
Because it went viral. That went big.
Oh, 161 million visitors to my YouTube channel. Yeah, it's big. They've got to make the movie first. They've got the footage. I don't think they've made it though.
I wanted to touch on something I never spoke to you about the last time: Quadrophenia. What was it like making that movie?
I was 20 years old. It was absolutely brilliant. It was astonishing, and everyone in that movie was incredible. You had Ray Winstone, Timothy Spall, you had Sting, Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash. I mean, the cast was just mind blowing, and we all loved being with each other. And Frank Rotheram, the director, he really brought the best out of all of us.
Were you a fan of The Who?
Yeah, and the album Quadrophenia. Oh my, it's one of the best.
Of course, you made your mark in the 80s as well, with so many big hits. Do you still enjoy performing them?
I love it, especially on a day like today, where the sun is out. Everyone is loving every minute. I can't wait to get up there.
That was a movement back then, but at the same time, people think of pop as being disposable. How important was it for?
Well, it was incredibly important. I was 23 years old. It was everything I wanted to do. When we did Top of the Pops, we had 17 million viewers. When I did Drury Lane Live for the Old Grey Whistle Test, 12 million viewers. I mean, those are big numbers, and I toured all over Europe in the UK. It was very, very special. Rock and roll was the rock and roll then. Football is the rock and roll today, and I think the fact that we are here performing this music in front of 30,000 people, it really says something about the longevity of what we did.
Speaking of longevity, I heard that you have a new album coming out.
Yeah, my singles start in January, and then I have three singles: January, February, March, and then the album's out in April, and it's called 'Future Dreaming'. Yeah, all completely brand new and 100% written by me.
Is Robert Fripp on it?
On two tracks, and it's been produced by a wonderful producer called Andy Brooke, who has just produced the most magnificent arrangements. I'm very excited about it.
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