Yahoo Lifestyle The Wiggles: Greg is back – but is Sam still the man?
The Wiggles are all smiles with the announcement that Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, is set to make a comeback, but opinion is divided on who is the ‘best’ Yellow Wiggle, with fans of incumbent Sam Moran even starting a ‘Save Sam Wiggle’ Facebook page.
Sam stepped into the yellow skivvy at short notice when Greg fell ill and was unable to fulfil his commitments. At the time, it seemed unlikely that Greg, who founded The Wiggles with Murray Cook, Anthony Field, and Jeff Fatt in 1991, would ever be well enough to return to the stage. But five years later, he’s fighting fit, and keen to take up where he left off.
‘This takes me full circle. I’m excited to be back with my friends and to be entertaining our incredible fans again’, says Greg. ‘I didn’t get a chance to say farewell last time, so this is an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. I’m feeling great and looking forward to doing what I love.’
But not everyone is excited about the comeback as Greg. On the Practical Parenting Facebook page, parents expressed concern that their littlies wouldn’t recognise the ‘new’ Wiggle, as Sam is the only Yellow Wiggle they’ve ever known. Others said Sam brought a new, younger dynamic to the group, and worried that his health issues would resurface, causing yet more changes to the group.
‘Sam brought a new spark and energy and I really think it’s a shame that he is being moved aside after all the wonderful work he did with the group,’ says one mum.
On the Wiggles official Facebook page, feedback was even more vitriolic, with some fans slamming the decision to reinstate Greg, and others threatening to boycott future Wiggles performances.
‘I'm very sad Sam is gone he was by far my favourite and my children’s favourite, and I honestly believe he brought a fresh and more youthful performance to the Wiggles,’ says one fan. ‘We will no longer be going to see Wiggles concerts and I will only buy merchandise with Sam as the Yellow Wiggle.
Meanwhile, on the 'Save Sam Wiggle' Facebook page, which already has 456 fans, there are calls for Sam to be kept on as a ‘fifth Wiggle’. However, with rumours of a growing rift between Sam and the original Wiggles, this seems unlikely. The Wiggles say they will continue to support Sam in his future endeavours, but are clear that he will no longer be a part of the group.
'We thank Sam for his wonderful contribution to the group for the past five years. He joined at a difficult time for Greg and the group, and we’re so grateful for all he has done,' said Wiggles Manager Paul Field. 'Sam is a gifted singer and we’re pleased that Wiggles Productions will continue to support him by making Hot Potato Studios available to him for future projects,' added Field.
Whether public pressure will see Wiggles management revisit their decision to cast out Sam remains to be seen.
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