There was a time, not that long ago, when most Australian parents were very, very familiar with Emma Watkins . Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue As the first female member of kidsworld powerhouses The Wiggles, her toothy, red-headed, yellow-bowed visage was hard to avoid.

Such was her prominence - it wasn't unusual to see a sea of big yellow bows, even on the boys, outside a concert - that when she quit the group 10 years later, you'd be forgiven for thinking the woman would sail off into the sunset having made millions, and never have to work again. The reality was very different. In fact, Emma Wiggle was a teensy cog in a very large machine, and became, to all intents and purposes, a no-longer-employed staff member when she stepped away.

And she's not complaining; she certainly doesn't miss the relentless schedule which, at its peak, saw the group performing four shows a day, six days a week. Emma Watkins' life has changed a lot after a stint with The Wiggles. Pictures supplied Emma Watkins, enjoying the quiet(er) life.

Picture supplied And when she decided to quit the show, in 2021, it was because the COVID-imposed lockdown had given her a taste of the quiet life , and time to work on her own project - a PhD on ho.