Emma Watkins finishes up as Yellow Wiggle

Emma Watkins has described as “bittersweet” her final day as a working Wiggle before she hands over the yellow skivvy to youngster Tsehay Hawkins.

Emma Watkins has donned the yellow skivvy for a final time.

The much loved children’s entertainer has finished up after more than a decade performing with the Wiggles.

“The time has come where I say a fond Wiggly farewell to all the beautiful families around the world,” Watkins told The Daily Telegraph. “It is a bittersweet day, as my last official day working as a Wiggle, as I am sad to be leaving the group I have cherished being a part of, but I’m also very excited about my next chapter.”

Layla Hadid, 3, and her brother Salahadeen Hadid, 5, excited to meet Emma Wiggle in her last meet and greet as the yellow Wiggle at Harvey Norman in Auburn. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Watkins in October announced her departure from the hugely popular children’s group after 11 years of singing and dancing with Dorothy and the crew, nine of which she wore the yellow skivvy.

The troupe were to be touring for the back half of the year although those plans were halted due to the pandemic.

On Tuesday, Watkins made her final public appearance as the Yellow Wiggle, meeting fans at Harvey Norman in Auburn as part of her relationship with craft machine business, Cricut.

She prerecorded her last performance with the group ever for the annual Carols in the Domain that will air on Seven Thursday night.

“It was so special that the OG Wiggles were on stage with us for this performance, especially Greg (Page), who entrusted me to carry on the Yellow Wiggle legacy for the last nine years,” said Watkins, who has been replaced by teenager Tsehay Hawkins.

Emma Wiggle in her last meet and greet as the yellow Wiggle at Harvey Norman in Auburn. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It is my honour to hand the yellow skivvy to Tsehay who I know will shine as the new Yellow Wiggle. Being onstage with my fellow Wiggles felt like such a lovely way to finish off this year and a decade of Wiggling that I will remember forever.”

For now, Watkins intends to enjoy some down time before hitting the books and studying.

“I am looking forward to finishing my research for my PhD, exploring effective and creative integrations of dance and sign language onscreen,” she said. “I wish everyone a very happy festive season, thank you for the memories and I look forward to our paths crossing in the very near future. Until then, have a bowtiful day and keep Wiggling.”

Tsehay Hawkins taking over as the Yellow Wiggle.

Original Wiggle, Anthony Field, who wears the blue skivvy, said: “We haven’t been able to tour the past six months because of Covid but we had such a wonderful time performing with Emma at Carols in the Domain on the weekend and can’t wait for everyone to watch from home on Thursday night and get in the Christmas spirit with us. The personal appearance scheduled today with Circut was a beautiful and safe way for some of Emma’s fans to have the chance to say farewell to her in person.”