Toyah Willcox has opened up about an unexpected tech mishap that left her mortified. A simple mistake while filming turned into one of the most awkward moments of her life.
Strictly Come Dancing star Toyah Willcox, 66, has confessed to the “most embarrassing moment” of her life after a TikTok mishap left her red-faced.
The singer accidentally left her camera rolling while recording a video with her husband, musician Robert Fripp, for their social channels, which have racked up over 120 million views. “It was one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever done,” Toyah admitted. “My husband Robert and I were dressed as unicorns for a video we were filming, and I left the camera on afterwards.
“It was running for about 45 minutes and showed me getting dressed and getting ready, and my team were watching and nobody told me! I was just getting on with my day. I was in my underwear, I cleaned my teeth, I was singing, walking around, and I cleaned the bath. My team was desperate for me to turn the camera off. When I realised what I’d done, I apologised profusely. I was so embarrassed.”
Toyah’s tech troubles come as new research commissioned by Smart Energy GB highlights the challenges older adults face when adopting technology. The study, which surveyed 1,000 over-65s, found that 26 per cent want to improve their tech skills but feel held back. Nearly one-third admitted they wouldn’t feel confident setting up a new gadget, while 27 per cent worry they wouldn’t know how to use it.
Privacy concerns and the high cost of devices were also cited as barriers, and 41 per cent said the rapid pace of change makes them hesitant to embrace new tech. However, despite their concerns, many older adults recognise the benefits of technology. Over half of those surveyed said new devices could make life easier, with 85 per cent acknowledging that tech can save time and money, while also helping them stay in touch with loved ones.
Smart Energy GB, which works to promote smart meter adoption, is partnering with Toyah to encourage older adults to embrace technology.
“Technology is advancing so quickly that I sometimes find it tricky to know which gadgets to get and how to use them,” Toyah admitted. She added: “I do a lot of research, like speaking to friends and family, to help me decide which devices will be simple to use and make my life easier. Sometimes I have concerns and then realise they were unfounded, like with my smart meter – I actually found it very easy to use.
“They send automatic readings to your supplier so you can forget about meter readings, and you know your bills will be accurate. The portable display shows how much energy you’re using, which is really helpful.”
The study also revealed that 76% of over-65s rely on younger people to help with tech issues. Many are open to sustainable energy solutions like air source heat pumps and smart home security, with nearly half keen on cleaner energy developments.
A Smart Energy GB spokesperson said: “Technology can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it changes so rapidly. But some gadgets, like smart meters, are intuitive and user-friendly, designed so that everyone can benefit, however tech-savvy you might be.”
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