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‘The music world

me’ never accepted has toyah Willcox has been singing punk music since the 70s, and performing her hits, including It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free at festivals and arenas, pulling huge crowds. Now, at 60, she’s performing intimate acoustic shows and being filmed for a documentary with her husband, musician Robert Fripp

How do you take your tea?

I only drink green tea, with no sugar or milk. I’m addicted to it.

What biscuit would

you like to dunk?

I’m non-wheat, non-dairy, so the only biscuits I eat are Nairn’s oatcakes.

They do a lowsugar, dark chocolate variety.

Do you think there’s pressure to look a certain way in the industry?

It’s incredibly important to look and be fit. There is pressure, yes. I think if I didn’t look the way I look, it would affect what I do and how I choose my work, but I go wholeheartedly with that. My shows are very energetic, and even the acoustic show’s a bit like a marathon because of how much I sing. I have a strict, 1,800-calorie-a-day rule, but that’s all you need. I never feel hungry, I never feel deprived and I fully respect my body is a machine.

What do you think about the rise of social media?

It’s everything I needed 40-plus years ago! Back then, as a young teenager in the rock world, I wanted everyone to see what I was doing every minute of the day. It would’ve been so exciting. Now, 40 years later, I just want people to see what my mind is capable of – the singing, the writing.

What’s been your proudest

achievement?

I never thought I’d still be working at this age, and I’ve never been busier. My husband’s just turned 72, and he’s never been busier – and I’m so proud of that.

What’s left on your career bucket list to complete?

The world is changing so rapidly, but I like to think that, as a woman at the age of 60, I’ll still be able to keep on achieving bigger and bigger dreams, and playing bigger and bigger arenas, and be accepted as a creative writer. I don’t think the music world has ever accepted me. Who has accepted me is my audience.

Toyah is performing her show Acoustic, Up Close & Personal at venues across the UK on various dates until September. For more details, go to toyahwillcox.com.