Fan favourite Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins made a shock announcement today that is sure to bring tears to countless young fans around Australia.Â
Emma will not perform with The Wiggles on their upcoming Aussie tour. Instead she will have surgery for endometriosis and spend time recovering.
The bright and bubbly 28-year-old made the announcement on the TODAY show, admitting that the diagnosis was a complete shock.
After years of dealing with the pain, Emma finally received confirmation that it was endometriosis. Doctors also discovered “quite a few cysts” that require attention.
“I think even for me it was a really big shock,” Emma Wiggle told TODAY host Georgie Gardner.
Wiggle baby plans put on hold
Ever since Emma and her Purple Wiggle beau, Lachlan Gillespie tied the knot in 2016, fans have been eagerly waiting for baby news. But endometriosis can make it difficult to fall pregnant and wreak havoc on a woman’s reproductive system.Â
Emma reveals that in order to fall pregnant and start a family, she will need this surgery.
“I think I’ve almost left it too long and I realised that lots of people don’t even think about going to see somebody earlier. Now I need to take the rest and be serious about looking at my health as a priority.”
One in ten women diagnosed with endometriosisÂ
Endometriosis is a painful condition affecting one in 10 women of reproductive age. It occurs when cells similar to those that line the uterus are found in other parts of the body. If left untreated, it can lead to infertility.
The first female Wiggle also shared her symptoms, including “really bad period [pain], really heavy bleeding” and “headaches”, urging other woman with similar symptoms to get checked out.
“If I can spread awareness about checking up on your symptoms, and if you do have pain go and see somebody because I know it has been the best thing for me,” she says.
Emma Wiggle endometriosis diagnosis means understudy will fill in
Emma is due to have surgery this month, meaning she will be off the stage for April and May when The Wiggles perform in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. An understudy will take her place.
“A friend of mine is going to be dressing up as Emma and will be singing all the Emma songs and dances so everyone will still be there – Anthony, Lachy, Simon – and of course Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry [the Octopus] and Captain Feathersword,” she assures fans.
We wish Emma all the best for a speedy recovery! Fingers crossed she can return to the stage for the remaining part of the tour.
