The original cast of The Wiggles have shared a glimpse into their lives and decades-long career in the documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles.
It’s a compelling telling of the story of Greg Page, Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt as they founded the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group.
From life-threatening health issues to bitter breakups and fights, here are the biggest bombshells that dropped during the highly anticipated feature.
Blue Wiggle Anthony, 60, opened up about his harrowing battle with depression throughout his incredibly successful career.
He said he “burst into tears backstage” during the Wiggles’ first ever tour of England and that no one could understand what was wrong with him.
The original cast of The Wiggles have shared a glimpse into their lives and decades-long career in the documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles. Pictured left to right: Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Greg Page
Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles details the behind-the-scenes drama of the popular children’s group
“When I was talking to one of my brothers, I told him I was sad all the time and he said, ‘What do you have to be sad about? “You’re successful, you have all the amenities – what’s wrong with you?” said Anthony.
Murray, 63, wearing the red skivvy, admitted the group didn’t understand what depression looked like – nor did anyone in the ’90s.
Since then, Anthony has made his mental health issues public and has been seeing a psychologist for 35 years.
During the documentary, 60-year-old Blue Wiggle Anthony opened up about his harrowing battle with depression throughout his incredibly successful career
His struggle may have been exacerbated by the fact that he left behind his six-week-old daughter Lucia, now a Blue Wiggle herself, when the group went on their first tour.
Murray also struggled with leaving his children behind, recounting the heartbreaking moment his son Hamish said: “I don’t like music because it takes dad away.”
Meanwhile, Yellow Wiggle Greg, 51, found he couldn’t save his marriage to Michelle Charlton even after leaving The Wiggles in 2006 for health reasons.
The couple, who split two years later, share daughter Madison and Greg’s stepson Blaine.
He also shares daughter Lara and son Cameron with his current wife Vanessa Reid.
Anthony’s struggle may have been exacerbated by the fact that he left behind his six-week-old daughter Lucia, now a Blue Wiggle herself, when the group went on their first tour
Murray, 63, also confessed he found it difficult to leave his children behind, recounting the heartbreaking moment his son Hamish said: “I don’t like music because it takes dad away.”
Greg later returned to The Wiggles for a special reunion in January 2020, which ended in tears when he suffered a heart attack on stage.
Murray broke down in tears as he recalled the harrowing moment Greg collapsed, saying: “At first I thought he had just overdone it, but then his eyes rolled back.”
“Then the first aid people said he had stopped breathing. I thought he was dead. It was terrible to see… It was quite disturbing.’
However, the Yellow Wiggle wasn’t the only member of the group to have heart problems, as three of the members had to undergo heart surgery over the years.
Greg was diagnosed with orthostatic intolerance and sometimes fainted during shows, while Murray underwent open heart surgery in December 2021.
Meanwhile, Greg, 51, returned to The Wiggles for a special reunion in January 2020, which ended in tears when he suffered a heart attack on stage
Murray broke down in tears as he recalled the harrowing moment Greg collapsed, saying: “At first I thought he had just overdone it, but then his eyes rolled back.”
Purple Wiggle Jeff, 70, also had a pacemaker fitted after a horrific accident in which he passed out at the wheel of a car and crashed into a tree.
“Luckily it wasn’t going at great speed,” Jeff assured.
Finally, Anthony, Murray, Greg and Jeff revealed that they didn’t always get along behind the scenes, although they were bright and energetic every time they took the stage together.
Purple Wiggle Jeff, 70, also had a pacemaker fitted after a horrific accident in which he passed out at the wheel of a car and crashed into a tree
Anthony recalled once throwing an entire drum kit at Greg after the Yellow Wiggle reprimanded him for playing too loudly backstage.
It seemed like there were often disagreements between the two, as Greg still blames Anthony for a huge wet spot he once found on his petticoat just before he was due to go on stage.
“If you see Greg, tell him I didn’t do the water,” Anthony told the documentary’s producers, recounting the moment Greg tried it on him seconds before they went on stage together.
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Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles premieres on Prime Video on October 24th.
Although Anthony, Murray, Greg and Jeff were radiant and energetic every time they took the stage together, they didn’t always get along behind the scenes