KEY POINTS:
The Wiggles never thought of breaking up, even when Yellow Wiggle Greg Page revealed a debilitating illness would end his performing career, the Australian children's group said yesterday.
And if some of their young fans are anything to go by, the replacement of Page with new face Sam Moran won't hurt their worldwide popularity.
Page, 34, yesterday confirmed he was quitting the multimillion-dollar-earning Wiggles because of a chronic condition that he will carry for the rest of his life. In a video farewell message played before the launch of the group's latest national tour in Perth, Page said he had orthostatic intolerance, which means when he stands up his heart doesn't pump enough blood around his body.
Symptoms including lethargy and bouts of fainting first appeared up to four years ago, but Page's condition remained a mystery until last week.
"It's not a life-threatening condition by any means, but it is one that's going to be with me for the rest of my life," Page said. "It means I'll no longer be able to sing and dance the way that I want to and, as a result, I've decided to stop performing with The Wiggles."
Page then handed his yellow skivvy to his long-time understudy, 28-year-old Moran.
The remaining members of the group, Purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt, Blue Wiggle Anthony Field and Red Wiggle Murray Cook, said it was an emotional and depressing time.
"It's very surreal that Greg's not going to be with us, very sad," said Field.
Cook said the group, together for 15 years, did discuss their future after hearing Page's decision.
"We do it because we love it now. We love touring and meeting all the families and children, so ... we all said, 'yes, we want to keep going'."
But Cook said they never seriously contemplated breaking up The Wiggles, who have established a massive fan base, a lucrative merchandising business and spin-off groups in Taiwan and Latin America.
Last year they were ranked Australia's highest-earning entertainers for a second year in a row.
The group admitted some young fans would be disappointed by Page's departure but hoped they would adjust to Moran, who has been a performer, dancer and understudy with The Wiggles since 1998.
"It's always been a little daunting obviously filling in for him, but it's just a great new challenge for me and I'm just looking forward to that," said Moran.
- AAP
