A while back I happened to catch an interview Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa were conducting with Matthew Broderick in which the Tony-award winning actor confessed that even he couldn’t get tickets for his young son to see “The Wiggles” perform at Radio City Music Hall. At the time my daughter was only a few months old and I had no idea who “The Wiggles” were. Moreover, I was reluctant to believe that Sarah Jessica Parker’s husband couldn’t get his hands on a couple of tickets to see a children’s group perform live in concert at a venue that seats thousands.
As time went on and my daughter got more into music and television I quickly learned about the power “The Wiggles” have over toddlers (she’s lost interest in them now). Their bright primary colored T-shirts and action packed routines have catapulted them to stardom. To put it mildly “The Wiggles” are hugely popular! In fact, the group was named Australia’s top-earning entertainer last year, ahead of actors Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. The four men, accompanied by a cast of characters including Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog, grossed $39 million last year.
Unfortunately, none of the money or accolades could help prepare them for the tragedy they are now being faced with. In a news conference held today in Australia, the lead singer of “The Wiggles” announced he must quit the group because of a serious illness.
In a video-recorded statement, Greg Page said he had been diagnosed with a chronic condition called orthostatic intolerance.
“It’s not a life-threatening condition, but it is one that’s going to be with me for the rest of my life,” said Page, who wears the bright yellow T-shirt in the group. “It means that I’ll no longer be able to sing and dance as I want to, and as a result I’ve decided to stop performing with The Wiggles.”
Page, who is now 34-years-old helped create The Wiggles in 1991. During the news conference Page handed his yellow T-shirt over to his understudy, Sam Moran, who has been performing with the group for more than a decade as a backup singer and dancer.
“I’ll miss being a part of The Wiggles very much, but this is the right decision because it will allow me to focus on managing my health,” Page said.
According to doctor’s, Page’s diagnosis–orthostatic intolerance–is a little understood disorder that causes dizziness, fatigue and nausea. I was surprised that Page decided to quit, however, I was not surprised to hear about the state of his health. A few months ago I read that he had been battling health troubles, which began after he underwent a double hernia operation last December.
Page’s fellow band members said they were sad and disappointed by the news, but said they realized that it was in their friend’s best interest to call it quits:
“It’s very surreal that Greg’s not going to be with us, very sad,” said Blue Wiggle Anthony Field. “I know Greg loved doing the shows, it’s just that he can’t physically do it anymore.”
According to “The Wiggles” website, Field, Page and the group’s Red Wiggle, Murray Cook, met while studying early childhood education at Sydney’s Macquarie University. They enlisted their fourth member, Purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt, and The Wiggles were born.