WIGGLES LOVE SCANDAL: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
Families across the country went into meltdown last week when The Wiggles couple Emma Watkins and Lachlan Gillespie announced that they were ending their marriage.
‘We wanted to let you know that privately for the last six months we have been navigating through a trial separation, and we have made the decision to separate as a couple,’ Emma, 28, shared on Instagram alongside a photo of the pair during happier times.
While the couple, who wed in an elaborate ceremony in 2016 at Hopewood House in the NSW Southern Highlands surrounded by 200 guests, have tried to keep the details behind their shock split under wraps, New Idea can now reveal that co-founder of the internationally acclaimed children’s entertainment group and fellow Blue Wiggle Anthony Field has gone into crisis mode.
‘It is absolutely awful on set,’ reveals a source close to the group, which has been a permanent fixture on television in homes around the world for more than 25 years, earning millions of dollars each year.
According to our insider, Anthony will do whatever it takes to keep the reasons behind Emma and Lachy’s separation from the public eye.
‘He runs The Wiggles very much like a business. Anthony likes to keep all private matters within The Wiggles family and he will be doing all he can to make sure details about Emma and Lachy’s separation is kept within his circle of trust.’
Anthony formed The Wiggles back in 1991 with original members Phillip Wilcher, Murray Cook and Greg Page. Having seen several line-up changes over the years, Anthony is now the only original Wiggle remaining.
‘As you can imagine, Anthony is very protective of the business,’ our source adds.
‘He would have been well across Emma and Lachy’s plan to go public with their news and he will be heavily involved in their next move.’
This isn’t the first time Anthony, 55, has been caught up in behind-the-scenes drama.
In 2012, the father-of-three was slammed over the sacking of Sam Moran, who at the time donned the yellow skivvy. But it was his attitude towards Sam’s unexpected exit that had long-time fans outraged.
When asked about Sam’s abrupt departure Anthony appeared dismissive when he replied he was just ‘doing a job’.
Perhaps in an attempt to show himself in a more sympathetic light this time, Anthony was one of the first
EMMA WATKINS LEANS ON FELLOW WIGGLE ANTHONY FIELD AS HER MARRIAGE CRUMBLES
people to express his sadness when Emma and Lachy, 32, took to Instagram to break the news of their split to their 143.4k combined followers.
‘My dear friends,’ he commented, along with a love heart emoji.
Since their announcement New Idea has learned that Emma in particular has been leaning on Anthony for support as she tries to navigate through her separation.
However, this comes as no surprise. Both Emma and Lachy, who recently returned from a US tour where Anthony was hospitalised after walking into a door, clearly have a very close friendship with Anthony. The tight-knit team frequently post pictures of each other on Instagram.
In the past, Anthony’s own marriage to dancer Michaela Patisteas has been plagued with split rumours. In 2009, photographs of Anthony with choreographer Caterina Mete on tour emerged, forcing the brunette to go public to set the record straight.
‘I’m not breaking up their marriage,’ she said of the pair’s close relationship at the time.
Claims of flirty behaviour with back-up dancers, and his well-publicised battle with depression, aren’t the only issues Anthony’s own marriage has faced over the years.
His work schedule has been a cause of contention, with Michaela revealing she wasn’t able to rely on Anthony early on in their marriage. ‘Anthony travels at least seven months of the year, so I couldn’t rely on him too much,’ she told Mamamia in 2013.
‘I have an appreciation, understanding and respect for single mothers. Being on my own quite a bit, I understand the demands of being a single parent.’ Since then, Anthony says he has changed his ways.
‘I manage my time on the road by staying in constant contact with my wife Miki and my children Lucia, Maria and Antonio,’ he explains, despite not having been pictured publicly with Miki for years.
‘Luckily, with computers, these days I can speak to them on Skype each night when I’m away. When I’m home in Sydney, I spend all my time with them doing the normal things that dads do.’
‘ANTHONY LIKES TO KEEP ALL PRIVATE MATTERS WITHIN THE WIGGLES FAMILY’