RonJonSurfer Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Reports: The Wiggles' lead singer may quit SYDNEY, Australia - The hugely popular children's group The Wiggles is expected this week to announce the departure of its lead singer because of a serious illness, media reports said Wednesday. The Australian supergroup has reportedly scheduled a press conference for Thursday in the western city of Perth to make a "major announcement relating to members of the group," according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Associated Press and the online edition of Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper. The reports said the group was likely to announce the departure of the "Yellow Wiggle," Greg Page, who has been frequently absent from touring since undergoing a double hernia operation in December. The 34-year-old known for his bright yellow T-shirt has been undergoing medical treatment since June after experiencing fainting spells and lethargy, the reports said. Calls to the group's publicist were not immediately returned Wednesday. The Wiggles were Australia's top-earning entertainers last year, ahead of No. 2 AC/DC and No. 3 Nicole Kidman. The four men in brightly colored T-shirts, accompanied by a cast of characters including Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog, grossed $39 million last year. Page, who was replaced by an understudy when he pulled out of The Wiggles' U.S. tour in July, reportedly said he needed to rest and seek medical advice for the fainting spells. "I have had numerous bouts of this over the past eight months but they are getting more frequent, and more concerning," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph. "So I have decided that I must go home, rest and seek further medical advice to assure myself that I will be OK for future tours." Publicist Dianna O'Neill told The Sydney Morning Herald that doctors had not been able to identify Page's illness. Page helped found The Wiggles in 1991 after he and two other members met while studying early childhood education at Sydney's Macquarie University. The group has franchised its enormously popular recipe to several non-English speaking countries, including Taiwan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daslied Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 We took my daughter to see them last December, and he wasn't there. The other guy was a better singer, and the kids didn't care. But I can't see how they'd replace him on the TV show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 The 34-year-old known for his bright yellow T-shirt... Gosh, that's quite a thing to be known for...he must be some talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daslied Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Well, here's what they're actually known for on the show: Greg, the Yellow Wiggle: dabbles in magic/the black arts Anthony, the Blue Wiggle: overeating/food addiction Jeff, the Purple Wiggle: narcoleptic Murray, the Red Wiggle: guitarist Jeff and Anthony were members of the famed Australian band "The Cockroaches", if you're seeking some trivia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenacious_Peaches Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Jeff, the Purple Wiggle: narcoleptic Hot potato, hot pota... *thud* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 I just saw this on CNN ; from the footage they showed, this band appears to be some sort of Pop Wave Beach Group ; they reported that he has "mental health" issues dealing with the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Anthony, the Blue Wiggle: overeating/food addiction You'll be telling me next that he does a rendition of Kurt Cobain's paean to bulimia, "I Hate Myself And I Want A Pie" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyguitar Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 I rather liked his version of Art Garfunkel's 'I Only Have Pies for You' There could be another thread here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyguitar Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Well, if this lot really did clear $39 million last year then god help us all. Please tell me the rest of them are feeling ill too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daslied Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Yeah, that's old school Wiggles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daslied Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 (edited) By the way, the creepy chef is the drummer from Crowded House what hung himself a year or two ago. Wait, he might not be in that one. He's in the video for "Fruit Salad", along with other classics. Somebody shoot me now. Edited November 29, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Sad to hear that Gregg is in bad health, but I am all Wiggled out at my house!! But Captain Feathersword can knock on my door anytime!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcM Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 I like that they are considered a "Supergroup" and mentioned in the same breath as AC/DC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 The Wiggles out earned AC/DC. And the world hasn't ended yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyguitar Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 'Hot Potato...Hot Potato'...Gaaargh! it's been bugging me all day. What have I unleashed? I hope they're all dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Hey, be nice to them...they make my daughter happy! I read that Greg has a rare bone disease that makes it hard for him to balance, so he can barely stand, much less do the dancing. Sure, their songs can be annoying, but they're for kids. I'd rather have Britney or Paris drop off the face of the earth before any of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katie_sane Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Greg Page reveals illness, leaves the band Thursday Nov 30 12:00 AEDT By ninemsn staff Yellow Wiggle Greg Page says illness has forced him to quit performing. In a video message played by the group in Perth, Page says he's suffering from a chronic condition called orthostatic intolerance. The condition means when he stands up his heart doesn't pump enough blood around his body. The 34-year-old says it's not a life-threatening condition but is permanent and he can't sing and dance the way he wants. Page has handed over his yellow skivvy to long-time friend and understudy Sam Morgan. Page says he'll miss being a part of The Wiggles very much but the decision will allow him to focus on his health. Fellow Wiggle Anthony Field said it was a very depressing day for the group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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