Performer Emma Watkins, known as the Yellow Wiggle, will be admitted to hospital next week, forcing an understudy to take her spot on the Wiggles’ upcoming tour.
The bubbly children’s entertainer told the Daily Telegraph she would be undergoing treatment for chronic endometriosis, a disorder she has suffered with for years.
The 28-year-old hoped fans would understand her urgent absence, saying: ‘I have been in a lot of pain for the past couple of years.’
‘I have been in a lot of pain for the past couple of years’: Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins is forced to drop out of upcoming tour as she admits herself to hospital to treat ‘crippling disease’
Emma said she’s admitting herself to surgery next Tuesday, in a procedure that is expected to help manage the pain of the condition.
The popular performer will be in hospital from Tuesday, which is when she was due to perform on the Gold Coast.
Being absent from the stage, a understudy will replace her throughout April and May on the Wiggles tour.
Time off: The bubbly children’s entertainer told the Daily Telegraph she would be undergoing treatment for chronic endometriosis, a disorder she has suffered with for years
Popular performer! Emma began performing with The Wiggles in 2010, and was announced as the first female Wiggle, replacing founding member Greg Page as the Yellow Wiggle in 2012
Emma began performing with The Wiggles in 2010, first as Fairy Larissa, then as Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur and as a Wiggly Dancer.
In May 2012, the professional dancer was announced as the first female Wiggle, replacing founding member Greg Page as the Yellow Wiggle.
Emma dated fellow Wiggles performer Lachlan Gillespie (Purple Wiggle) for two years before announcing their engagement in 2015.
The loved-up pair married on in April 2016 at Hopewood House in Bowral, New South Wales.
Wiggly wedding! Emma dated fellow Wiggles performer Lachlan Gillespie (Purple Wiggle) for three years before getting married in April 2016
Endometriosis can cause infertility but Emma is hopeful she will be able to start a family with her Wiggles husband after her treatment.
Emma told the publication she would like to have children but ‘my doctor has advised I need 12 months to recover from this surgery’.
She urged women suffering from endometriosis ‘to put your health first and get a diagnosis so that you are in the best position to manage this crippling disease’.
Daily Mail Australia have reached out to the Wiggles management for further comment.
Hopeful for a family: Emma told the publication she would like to have children but ‘my doctor has advised I need 12 months to recover from this surgery’
Australian Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced in December that the Federal Government will now develop the first National Action Plan for endometriosis.
He described the move as ‘long overdue’, and apologised to sufferers that it had taken the Parliament so long to give them recognition.
One in ten women around the world have endometriosis.
‘Put your health first and get a diagnosis’: As one in ten women around the world have endometriosis, Emma urged women to seek help if they’re suffering