The beloved children’s group, The Wiggles, issued an apology after a controversial video surfaced featuring Anthony Field, famously known as the Blue Wiggle, seemingly endorsing the use of ecstasy.
The video, shared on TikTok by musician Adam Hyde under his alter ego Keli Holiday, showed Anthony Field dancing alongside his nephew Dominic Field, who portrays the Tree of Wisdom. Meanwhile, Hyde made comments about the drug in the background.
After media inquiries started pouring in on Friday afternoon, Hyde promptly removed the video, but not before it had already spread widely.
The Wiggles’ spokesperson criticized the video, accusing Hyde of manipulating the footage and posting it without obtaining proper consent.
In the controversial clip, Hyde, known as one half of the musical duo Peking Duk, is first seen dancing with only a towel around his waist.
This scene transitions to Anthony Field and his nephew Dominic, who appears on the renowned children’s show as the Tree of Wisdom, joining in the dance behind Hyde.
Mr Hyde stood in front of both while lip syncing along to his latest song with the chorus stating: ‘Hey girl come on dance with me. You and your pocket full of ecstasy.’
‘The Wiggles get it,’ he captioned the post.
The Wiggles have been forced to apologise after Anthony and his nephew appeared in a video with Adam Hyde which seemingly endorsed ecstasy
The Wiggles’ spokesperson said the video had been deceptively edited and uploaded without their permission
In the 24 hours the video was live more than 92,000 people were able to watch it across Facebook and TikTok which caused distress, the Wiggles spokesperson said.
‘We understand that a video circulating on social media has caused concern for many parents and professionals, and we want to address that directly,’ they said.
‘The Wiggles do not support or condone the use of drugs in any form. The content being shared was not created or approved by us, and we have asked for it to be removed.
‘While Keli Holiday is a friend of The Wiggles, the video and the music added to it were created independently and without our knowledge.
‘Our performance at the TikTok Awards was family-friendly and fun, and this video was edited together separately and without our awareness.’
The Wiggles took the matter very seriously and ‘deeply value the confidence families place in’ them, the spokesperson added.
‘We remain committed to creating safe, positive, and educational experiences for children and families in Australia and around the world,’ they said.
However, the statement did not totally absolve the group from criticism from fans and experts alike.
Child psychologists claimed the video sent the wrong message towards the Wiggles’ sizeable child audience since Anthony appeared in costume during it
Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said the post was ‘disturbing’ and ‘potentially dangerous’.
‘I think it raises serious concerns when you have performers who hold enormous influence of young children … and you’ve got them referencing illicit drugs,’ he told PerthNow.
‘We shouldn’t be exposing them to lyrics which normalise, sanitise and glamorise taking illicit substances.
‘[This is] sending a confusing and potentially dangerous message to a vulnerable population.’
Mr Carr-Gregg said the episode was a total ‘error of judgment’ and an ‘epic fail’ on the part of the Wiggles.
Another child psychologist, Clare Rowe, told the publication she might have cut Anthony and his nephew ‘some slack’ if they had not appeared in their iconic uniforms for the video.
Mr Hyde’s famous girlfriend, Abbie Chatfield, previously performed alongside her boyfriend and Mr Field at the Australian TikTok Awards on Wednesday.
Chatfield played the bongos as the two men danced around the stage both singing and playing the bagpipes just one day before the now-infamous video was posted.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Hyde’s management for comment.
