Jeff the Purple Wiggle has heart surgery, fitted with pacemaker

[Candlelight]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/5230846/Purple-Wiggle-happy-after-heart-surgery

The Wiggles have jetted off to the US for their North American tour, leaving behind Purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt, who is recovering from emergency heart surgery in Sydney.
Fatt, 57, has been forced to take a short break from touring after being diagnosed with arrhythmia, a condition where the heart beats irregularly.
The Wiggle was fitted with a pacemaker during the surgery at Sydney's Mater hospital on Friday night after reportedly feeling unwell for several weeks.
Wiggles publicist Kayley Harris said Fatt was discharged from hospital on Saturday after a successful operation.
"He's fine, he's quite happy and good. All went well," she told AAP.
Harris said Fatt now planned to take a month off work before joining the Wiggles on tour.
"We hope he will be able to rejoin the US tour if he's got the all-clear from his doctor," she said.
The Wiggles are set to tour the US and Canada in July and August with their Big Birthday Tour 2011.

I saw these guys live three months ago. If you have kids and can get to their show I really recommend it.

 

[Amaris]

I am so glad to not read the words "has died". My niece loves the Wiggles, and I have to admit, they are rather talented, and kids seem to love them. I'm glad he's doing well.

 

[trampledamage]

Glad he's doing well. I love the wiggles (as do my kids!)

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I love Jeff. He's fun. Hard to believe they've been around so long. I've watched a few kids, including my nieces, enjoy them too.

 

[CmdrAJD]

We took our son to see them several years ago (back when the original yellow Wiggle was still with them), and they put on a great show. They realize that the moms and dads are there too and try to keep them entertained, which helps a lot. As I recall, they did an improv bit where they took suggestions of musical styles from the audience and would make up a song on the spot. They're actually very good musicians. At one point, they came out into the audience, and the red Wiggle ended up coming to our section. He was positively dripping with sweat by that point because they do work hard to put on a good show.

 

[Jono]

No doubt the nurses and doctors have plenty of laughs whenever they said, "wake up, Jeff!"