Jason HarrisMillions of Aussie kids are waking up to the sad news that Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins has decided to step away from The Wiggles after 11 years of wearing the famous yellow skivvy.
The first female Wiggle has recently announced that she has decided to leave The Wiggles at the end of the year so she can spend more time with her family as well as focus on her post-graduate studies.
Watkins revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic along with touring made her miss being at home and spending more time with her family.
“Like many people around the world, the pandemic has given me time to reflect on what is important in life,” Watkins revealed.
“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.
“I’m really looking forward to devoting more time and energy to focus on completing my Ph.D. which incorporates my ongoing passion for sign language, dance, and film editing, and to having more time to work with the deaf community.”
Watkins joined The Wiggles back in 2010 with Lachlan Gillespie and Simon Pryce who were all newcomers to the group at the time.
“I am eternally grateful to The Wiggles for giving me this amazing opportunity to be the first female Wiggle, a role that I have loved and has given me so much joy and an abundance of ‘bowtiful’ memories that I will treasure forever,” she further added.
Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, who happens to be the only original cast member, thanked Emma for her hard work.
“We’ve had an amazing time with Emma over this period and while we’re sad to see her go, we know she has many other passions she’d like to pursue, including her Ph.D. and work with the Deaf community.
“We thank Emma for her wonderful contribution to The Wiggles and wish her all the very best as we look forward to seeing her continued success with her other interests.”
Watkins will be replaced by 16-year-old Tsehay Hawkins, who happens to be one of the four new members announced in August.
View this post on Instagram
Jason Harris
rhoda
patricia
natalie
Jade