Love maps, impromptu kisses and flying notes: Inside Lachy wiggle’s romantic love story

The Purple Wiggle has opened up about his relationship – and the one thing he hasn’t quite nailed.

We know him as the Purple Wiggle and she is a former ballerina, but we go inside their six-year love story of Lachlan Gillespie and Dana Stephensen and how they fell for each other, surviving distance and being a family in one of their sweetest interviews together.

Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie and his wife Dana Stephenson. Picture: John Gass

Dana asks:

How did we meet?

LACHY: We met at The Wiggles studio in Sydney when the Australian Ballet sent eight dancers to make a DVD with The Wiggles called The Wiggles Big Ballet Day.

Who made the first move?

L:It wasn’t so much of a move. I remember writing to you on Instagram, just to say thanks for a lovely day, and then, like a year or two later, when we talked about that you just thought I wrote to all the ballet girls.

D: I thought you wrote to all the dancers to say that because you just seemed like that sort of person. You were so grateful we were there and you were just being really kind to everyone.

What has been our best date?

L:There’s been heaps of best dates. The first one was the best when I got to meet Jasper (Dana’s son to a previous relationship). And then we went out for dinner. We went to the tennis together, the Brisbane International. Then after we had the girls, we had a nice night out just for mum and dad. There are too many.

When did you first know it was love?

L: In one quite early moment I remember instinctively kissing Dana on the cheek, which kind of shocked us both. Afterwards I thought, OK I am starting to feel a lot for her.

What has been our biggest challenge as a couple?

L:For us, it is the time spent apart, it’s just part of my work, and something that brings the family so much happiness, but also the constant travel.

The Wiggles line-up featuring Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie.

What is the secret to a happy relationship?

L: Communication, listening, being surprising, showing love for your partner in ways that you learn she will love and appreciate. Laughing, and in the middle of a busy life with young children, still making sure you find a moment to go on a date night or date day when you can.

Who puts the bins out?

L:Dana puts out the bins. We recently released a song at Wiggles called Bin Night, which asks the question, which bin goes out tonight? Is it red? Is it green? Then there is yellow for recycling? So I like to think that is a helpful contribution.

How has having children affected our relationship?

L:I think you naturally see and learn more about your partner through having children. It brings you together and pushes you to new limits all in one. I know we both love watching each other with our children and being parents together has brought us closer. I’ve also learned a lot through my experiences hosting Wiggle Talk with Simon (Red Wiggle) which I bring home to my family. Parenting has a way of revealing new sides of ourselves and our partners, and the lessons from the podcast have deepened my appreciation for that journey.

When were you the most vulnerable in our relationship?

L: Maybe just after having the girls. When you were first out of hospital and we had the girls (in September 2020) and that was a very weird time anyway with covid. It was a pretty big emotional patch and so that was tricky for the both of us, tricky for you the most, but also how I could support you and some days I felt better at that than others. Covid was an incredibly weird time for so many people. Being alone and having twins and having those big feelings you were having was tricky, but it we got through that.

D: I did say to you at the time, obviously lots of people have twins, it’s not uncommon, but you went from zero to 200 really quickly and that’s not the experience for lots of couples or lots of new dads, but you just always take it in your stride. You always seemed to just thrive.

Lachlan Gillespie with his ballet dancer girlfriend Dana Stephenson and their twins Lottie and Lulu.

What is the most romantic thing I’ve done for you?

L:You and I always said we wanted to propose to each other. We wouldn’t tell each other when we were going to so they would both be a surprise. When you decided to propose you had organised a hand-drawn “love map” to be made of all of our memories along the way. It was a picture map of all the major moments in our life together so far and it’s so thoughtful.

How do we stay connected while you’re on tour?

L:Every flying day, I’ll leave a little note on the bench for all of you. FaceTime’s fantastic. Sometimes I’ll ring while on set quickly so you all can say hi to your other Wiggly friends.

D:We always have you playing in the car and we’re very lucky that in your job we have your presence around and they have context of where you are and they know exactly where
you are and who you’re with. When you’re on tour, we have a map going at home. So we draw wherever you are and all the cities and then we cross them off when you’ve finished one.

Lachy asks:

What was your first impression of me?

DANA: You are so beautiful. You’re still so beautiful.

L: You were in the make-up chair at Wiggles when I walked in.

D: Totally unaware.

L: That was a good day.

When did you know I was the one?

D: Very early on. I think probably after our first actual date together at Calamity Jane (a musical in Melbourne) and then we saw Calamity Jane again the next week and that time we were sitting there holding hands and I think definitely by then, so it’s very quick. It was so good, it was brilliant.

When have I embarrassed you the most?

D:I wouldn’t say you’re embarrassing at all, you’re very funny, you just make me laugh a lot. Sometimes when you put an outfit together it’s often a bit interesting. You are so yourself, I love that about you.

Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie and his wife Dana Stephenson. Picture: John Gass

What do we argue about the most?

D:Not much! Maybe how well cooked the meat is? Like how crispy it is or how burnt it is?

What did you find most annoying about me?

D: Nothing … or maybe when you don’t answer your alarm in the morning immediately. But only because one of the girls is usually there and they might have just gone back to sleep.

What do I splurge on the most?

D: Soft toys for the kids.

L:It’s tricky being away for work a lot, I tend to bring home too many presents.

Do you ever get tired of the colour of purple?

D:I like purple more now since I’ve met you. When we had the girls they had two little beanies, one was pink and one was purple and since then it’s always been one little girl is pink and one is purple. I love that you love purple and you have your unofficial purple outfit.

Have you ever noticed any part of my Wiggle character entering our home life?

D: I love your wacky nature and you make anything funny. A moment where I might take a different path, you’ve usually turned it into some amazing comedy show or game or race or something and the kids are squealing with laughter. I love that about you. I notice it all the time. And, of course, your beautiful voice.

What’s my hidden talent?

D: Tennis. You’re a really good tennis player, or golf. You could definitely play professional sport if you weren’t a Wiggle.

Dorothy The Dinosaur’s Spectacular Show is touring Queensland this month. thewiggles.com/dorothy

Originally published as Love maps, impromptu kisses and flying notes: Inside Lachy wiggle’s romantic love story