Toyah was born in Birmingham, England, and first became well known during the punk rock era, her appearance in Derek Jarman's 1977 film, Jubilee, launching her as a provocative and anti-establishment figure, an image which she eventually threw off. Her singing career took off shortly afterwards, with hits such as "I Want to be Free" and "It's a Mystery". In 1983, she was voted Best Female Singer at the British Rock and Pop Awards, and in 1986 she married avant-garde musician, Robert Fripp.
Since then, Toyah has become a well-known (and more conventional) face on television and stage. She has played straight roles, including Shakespeare, and appeared as a presenter of programmes such as Holiday (BBC). In 1999, she took the lead in the children's television series, Barmy Aunt Boomerang. She also provides the voiceover for the children's television programme, the Teletubbies.