The loss of Yellow is making children blue.
Greg Page, the lead singer of Australian kid-friendly supergroup the Wiggles, has announced plans to quit the song-and-dance crew after 15 years as its most prominent face--the result of being diagnosed with a chronic condition known as orthostatic intolerance.
Page, known to children the world over as the Yellow Wiggle, announced his departure in a video statement on the group's official Website, saying that while his condition—an improper functioning of the nervous system—is severe, it's also far from life-threatening. Still, he claims the intensification of symptoms over the past few months have left him with no choice but to leave the group.
"The emotional decision was one which was very difficult, as I have dedicated almost half my life to the Wiggles, and with a question mark over my health, I feel that this is the right decision," the 34-year-old entertainer said. "I will miss the Wiggles and the other guys very much, as well as seeing all the children in the audiences that we perform in front of."
The Wiggles have already promoted Page's understudy of nine years to the ranks of official Wiggle, tapping Sam Moran to replace the ailing star.
"I wish the guys continued success, and welcome Sam Moran with open arms to the Yellow Skivvy. I know he is a great performer and well equipped to be the Yellow Wiggle."
According to Page, symptoms of his orthostatic intolerance date back as early as 12 years ago. A written statement on the Wiggles' Website describes the condition, which is extremely difficult to properly diagnose, as afflicting 30,000 Australians.
"Put simply, it means that when Greg stands up, his heart does not compensate for the change in posture by pumping more blood around his body for it to function properly," the site read. "A similar problem occurs when there is a change in the environment, such as a warm room or hot weather."
According to the Website, the condition, which is related to blood pressure, caused Page problems with walking, balance, speech and coordination, all seemingly of the utmost importance when wiggling and singing your way to a living in front of thousands of children. Other common symptoms include excessive fatigue, nausea, migraines, shortness of breath, palpitations and weakness in the legs.
The statement also claims it was possible that the recent surge of severity in Page's symptoms was triggered by the two bouts of hernia he had suffered on the road last year, undergoing surgery for the condition last December.
Page, who, like all Wiggles, performed both on the group's tour and starred in their enduringly popular TV show on the Disney Channel, withdrew from the troupe's US tour in June after suffering from fainting spells and chronic lethargy.
At a media conference in Perth, where his fellow Wiggles were promoting the launch of their Australian tour, bandmate Anthony Field, aka Blue Wiggle, spoke about Page's split from the group.
"It's very surreal that Greg's not going to be with us, very sad," he said. "I know Greg loved doing shows, it's just that he can't physically do it anymore."
But despite the loss of the musical foursome's leading man, it's unlikely his departure will threaten the juggernaut hit's success.
Last year, the kid-friendly group topped Hollywood's reigning female moneymaker Nicole Kidman as the richest Australian entertainers, taking in more than $35 million.