Thousands of tiny tots danced in the aisles – and their seats – at The Wiggles farewell concert at WIN Entertainment Centre on Wednesday.
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It was the last time the original line-up of Jeff Fatt, Greg Page, Murray Cook and Anthony Field will take to the stage together in Wollongong, and the four will take their final bow at a concert in Sydney on Sunday.
More than 8000 preschoolers, and mums and dads, packed the Entertainment Centre over two concerts to get a final glimpse of their idols in action.
The ageing children’s entertainers didn’t disappoint, with their energetic and enthusiastic performance showing why they’ve stayed top of the tots for the past 21 years.
Field is the only member who will remain in the new line-up, with newcomers Emma Watkins, Simon Pryce and Lachlan Gillespie coming on board.
The three are being introduced to young fans during the Celebration tour, which has been seen by 640,000 fans attending 243 shows in 141 cities in eight countries.
Bulli mum Laura Edwards said this was the fourth Wiggles concert she had attended with son Maverick, 2 – and it wouldn’t be the last despite the changes.
‘‘We’re die-hard fans,’’ she said. ‘‘Kids love The Wiggles, and mums like them too.
‘‘Maverick watches Wiggles DVDs at home, he’s got a Wiggles bed and desk, and he makes me play the CD in the car too.
‘‘It’s a bit sad that this is the last tour with the original team, but I wish them luck and we’ll be back to see the new ones.’’
Wollongong resident Samantha Hornby also said she’d bring her children Axl, 4, and Lily, 10 months, back to see the new crew.
‘‘Axl loves The Wiggles so it’s a good chance to see them for the last time, but I think kids will quickly take to the new performers – as long as they’re playing the same songs, and doing the same routines,’’ she said. ‘‘And the other characters will still be there too.’’
Indeed Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus have just as many fans as the fab four, if the pre-show merchandise was anything to go by.
Plenty of pint-sized fans rocked pirate hats and feathery swords, dinosaur tails and puppy-dog ears.
Yet it wasn’t only toddlers in the crowd – some teenagers came along too to relive some favourite memories.
Northern suburbs teens Emily Osborne, 17, and Emma Donnelly, 18, were among that number.
‘‘We grew up watching and listening to The Wiggles,’’ said Emily. ‘‘It was part of our childhood.’’
As for the three departing Wiggles, they won’t be going too far – just handing over the performing duties while they take on creative roles backstage.