Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins announces she’s leaving the group

Emma Watkins is leaving The Wiggles after 11 years of singing and dancing with Dorothy and the crew - nine of which she was in the yellow skivvy.

Emma Watkins has called time on her run with top children’s entertainers The Wiggles.

The yellow skivvy-wearing entertainer will finish up at the end of the year, with 16-year-old world champion dancer Tsehay Hawkins taking on the prime job.

“The time has come for me to pass the yellow skivvy on,” Watkins said. “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.”

Emma Watkins has announced she is retiring as the yellow Wiggle.

Emma Watkins in costume.

Watkins, 32, has been with The Wiggles for 11 years, nine of which she was the Yellow Wiggle, and two years prior as support character Fairy Larissa, as well as playing other roles Wags the Dog and Dorothy the Dinosaur.

It is a significant changing of the guard, with Watkins now taking the time to finish her PhD in film making “that incorporates my passion for sign language, dance and film editing” and to “having more time to work with the deaf community”.

“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.

Tsehay Hawkins has been named as the new member of The Wiggles, to replace Emma Watkins.

Watkins with the other Wiggles.

“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.”

Hawkins was announced as a supporting cast member of the troupe with a raft of new faces in the Wiggles Fruit Salad TV series.

She now steps up to a starring role alongside continuing Wiggles Anthony Field, Simon Pryce and Lachie Gillespie, with whom Watkins was previously married.

“I grew up watching The Wiggles,” Hawkins said. “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.”