The Wiggles to hand over to next generation

Greg, Jeff and Murray - who along with Anthony are better known by millions of children around the world as The Wiggles - will hand over their colourful tops to younger replacements, including a woman, the group announced today.

After a final tour with the current line-up of the children's entertainment group, Anthony Field will continue on stage as the blue Wiggle alongside the three new performers, the Group said on their web site.

"We've been entertaining children around the world for 21 years and it's important that we plan for the future so that The Wiggles can keep wiggling in the years to come," said Murray Cook, the red Wiggle, in a statement on the website.

The Wiggles, who perform live for around a million people every year, announced a final tour starting at the end of the month, including shows in Singapore, Britain, the United States, Canada and New Zealand.

Since 1991, the group has sold 23 million DVDs and seven million CDs, according to their website. They are frequently at the top of lists of Australia's highest-earning entertainers.

"We have been so lucky to do something that we love for so long," said Greg Page, the yellow Wiggle.

Cook met Field and Page at university where they were studying to become pre-school teachers.

Emma Watkins will become the yellow Wiggle, while Lachlan Gillespie and Simon Pryce, will become the purple and red Wiggles.

The three have already played other parts on the show such as Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword and Wags the Dog.

Jeff Fatt, the purple Wiggle, Cook and Page will take on backstage creative roles.

"We want to thank all our Wiggly fans - it's been a great ride in our big red car," said Fatt.

Reuters