I read it in the local paper this morning — Greg Page is leaving The Wiggles. I know that I was just saying a couple of weeks ago how much more my daughter appreciates The Wiggles after not watching them for a while, and now they are losing their lead singer. What a sad day for children’s entertainment — and Australia. There is more information available on The Wiggles site.
Apparently, ever since his double hernia surgery last December, Greg has been battling all kinds of health problems. The one in particular that will keep him from performing any longer is called orthostatic intolerance. What?! According to the article I read, this disease is not well-known and involves the heart. It is a chronic condition which causes dizziness, nausea, and fatigue and can affect one’s coordination and balance. Obviously, if Greg has these symptoms, he will not be able to sing and dance with The Wiggles as he has for the past fifteen years.
Not only will our children be disappointed to see Greg go, but the Australian entertainment industry might suffer as well. Business Review Magazine rated The Wiggles Australia’s top-earning entertainer of 2005 — grossing $39 million. Trailing closely behind was AC/DC, Nicole Kidman, and Russell Crowe. It’s pretty amazing that children’s entertainers can be more popular than top actors and a rock group.
So what do our children do now that Greg has left one of their favorite groups? Let’s hope that Greg’s understudy can provide us with as much energy and enthusiasm as the original Yellow Wiggle himself. That’s right! Sam Moran, Greg Page’s understudy and regular performer with The Wiggles for the past decade, has been given the yellow t-shirt. Even though we will miss Greg terribly, let’s hope that Sam will receive a warm welcome from the young people who are already great fans of The Wiggles.
For more information about The Wiggles, please visit their website.