In sad news for children everywhere, beloved Yellow Wiggle, Emma Watkins, has formally announced her departure from the group.
The 32-year-old will be replaced by her new cast member Tsehay Hawkins, a Champion dancer, who at just 16-years-old has nabbed the lucrative yellow skivvy.
Emma took to her Instagram account on Tuesday to break the news and to explain her reasons for leaving.
Watch Emma make her announcement below.
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“The time has come for me to pass the yellow skivvy on,” she began.
“Like many people around the world, the pandemic has given me time to reflect on what is important in life. 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, but something that I have really cherished over the last 18 months.”
She went on to share that she is looking forward to completing her PhD in film making and that she wants to continue her work with the deaf community.
“I am really looking forward to devoting more time and energy to focus on completing my PhD, which incorporates my passion for sign language, dance and film editing. And to have more time to work with the Deaf community,” she said.
“Like many people around the world, the pandemic has given me time to reflect on what is important in life.”
(Credit: Instagram)To sign off her announcement, Emma thanked The Wiggles for changing her life.
“I am eternally grateful to The Wiggles for giving me the amazing opportunity to be the first female Wiggle, a role that I have loved and one that has brought me so much joy and an abundance of bowtiful memories that I will treasure forever.
“As The Wiggles continue to evolve and someone new now steps into the yellow skivvy, I look forward to seeing children and families embrace them, just as I was when I began.
“I wish The Wiggles much continued success.”
Emma is being replaced by 16-year-old world champion dancer, Tsehay Hawkins who revealed that she’s “honoured” to join The Wiggles.
“I’ve already loved working with Anthony, Emma, Simon, Lachy, Evie, Kelly, John and all the Wiggly characters filming their latest TV series Fruit Salad TV,” she shared in a statement.
“I’m now incredibly excited to be joining them in the yellow skivvy and to have the chance to go out on the road in the new arena tour, I can’t wait to meet all the Wiggly fans. Dancing has always been my passion, and I look forward to being able to share the joy of song and dance with children all over the world.”
Tsehay Hawkins is replacing Emma at the end of the year.
(Credit: Instagram)Emma has been a part of The Wiggles lineup for 11 years, and she has worn the yellow skivvy for nine of those.
She began her career on the children show, playing supporting character Fairy Larissa, and she also performed as Wags the Dog and Dorothy the Dinosaur.
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