The Wiggles announced today that Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins will leave the group at the end of the year, telling fans she’s “missing out” by spending so much time on the road.
Watkins has been with The Wiggles for 11 years, nine of which she has donned the yellow skivvy after replacing original member Greg Page.
In a statement released today, Watkins said COVID had given her time to reassess what she wanted out of life.
“For me, that means spending more time at home, something that I didn’t realise I was missing out on being away eight months of the year on tour, but something that I have really cherished over the last 18 months,” she said.
“I am also really looking forward to devoting more time and energy on completing my PhD that incorporates my ongoing passion for sign language, dance and film editing, and to having more time to work with the Deaf community.”
Watkins went on to thank The Wiggles for the opportunity to be the first female Wiggle: “a role that I have loved and one that has brought me so much joy and an abundance of ‘bowtiful’ memories that I will treasure forever.”
The Wiggles have already announced Watkins’ replacement.
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Tsehay Hawkins (pronounced ‘se-hi’) was recently announced as one of the new cast members of Fruit Salad TV.
The 15-year-old award-winning dancer, originally from Ethiopia, said she was “incredibly excited to be joining (The Wiggles) in the yellow skivvy and to have the chance to go out on the road in the new arena tour,” according to news.com.au.
Hawkins will be wearing the yellow skivvy in time for the Wiggles’ arena tour in February 2022.
Tickets for The Wiggles’ 2022 arena tour are on sale via their official web site.
The ‘OG Wiggles’ Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Greg Page will also perform special Saturday and Sunday night over-18 arena shows during the tour.
