Original Hi-5 star Kathleen de Leon Jones makes rare TV appearance

Kathleen de Leon Jones graced Aussie screens for the first time in more than 10 years after moving back Down Under following a stint living overseas.

Kids who grew up in the late ‘90s and early 2000s would likely recognise a familiar face on TV Wednesday morning when a former member of the children's’s band Hi-5 appeared on Seven’s The Morning Show.

Kathleen De Leon Jones graced Aussie screens for the first time in more than 10 years after moving back Down Under in recently following a decade living in the US with her husband, former one half of Savage Garden Daniel Jones.

Speaking to hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, Kathleen said she and the musician have set up roots on the Gold Coast with their daughters: Mikayla, 17, and Keira, 12 – quite the sea-change from their residence in Las Vegas, Nevada, just a few years ago.

“We’re loving life at the moment. We’ve been here for a few years now, we were in the States for 10 years,” Kathleen said on the show. “We just love it here. It feels like we’re on holiday.”

Original Hi-5 Kathleen de Leon Jones and her daughter Keira on The Morning Show.

The former Hi-5 star said she and her husband are excited to pass the baton on to their daughters as they move into show business, with Keira set to make her stage debut soon in the Billy Elliot production at The Star Gold Coast.

“I didn’t know they were going to go down this path to be honest,” Kathleen said.

“I mean, they always showed signs. It’s a fantastic medium to express yourself and it’s so fun.”

Kathleen de Leon with bandmates Nathan Foley, Kellie Hoggart, Tim Harding and Charli Robinson.

Hi-5 were formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2008.

“So when my daughters are actually in the performing arts, it’s music to both our ears. We’re very proud that they’re kind of following in our footsteps and they found a love for performing.”

Kathleen was one of the original members of Hi-5 alongside Kellie Hoggart, Nathan Foley, Tim Harding and Charli Robinson. The group was formed in 1998 and the following year, they made their mark on free-to-air television, entertaining preschoolers across the country with their colourful ensembles and catch and educational tunes.

Kathleen was in Hi-5 from 1998 to 2007.

Daniel Jones married Kathleen De Leon in 2005.

The couple lived in the US for 10 years before returning to Australia recently.

In 2005, Kathleen married Daniel and in 2007, she left the group to focus on raising Mikayla. By 2008, all the original members had departed and a new-look Hi-5 was formed.

But their videos and legacy live on with a new generation of kids discovering the children’s group, including Kathleen’s daughter Keira when she a younger.

“I used to watch it every day,” Keira said. “It was like my favourite TV show and I just loved watching my mum on TV.”

Just last week, Kathleen wished her husband a happy 50th birthday on Instagram.

“My love, wishing you more love, more happiness, more adventures,” she wrote.

“️Happy birthday to the original G.O.A.T. ️ we love you immeasurably. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better life and a greater love than I have with you. Happy birthday handsome xx.”