An iconic kids TV star has returned to the stage following a heart attack which almost led to his death a few years ago while he was in front of an audience
A famous kids TV presenter made an unexpected comeback following a near-fatal heart attack.
Greg Page, former star of the Wiggles, gave up his role in kids TV back in 2013, but has now returned to stage to appear in a show. The 53-year-old is starring in the new musical production of Annie at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia.
He will play President Roosevelt as the performance plays in both Sydney and Melbourne. It is a big change from children’s entertainment, but Greg appears to welcome the change.
“This is very scripted… with the Wiggles we had flexibility and we could improvise,” he told the Canberra Times. “It’s one thing to take a man out of the Wiggles but you can’t take the Wiggles out of the man,” Page said.
He added: “I’ve performed in many theatres, many times in different countries. This is a very different experience.”
Greg had been experiencing health difficulties since December 2005, when he underwent a double hernia operation.
Greg, the former yellow Wiggle, suffered a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest on stage during a Wiggles concert in January 2020. He was resuscitated by bystanders, including a nurse in the audience, and has since become an advocate for heart health awareness and CPR training.
While on stage, he could be seen falling to the ground as he walked off stage at a Sydney reunion concert for bushfire aid. Nurse Grace Jones performed CPR on Page with the help of Wiggles drummer Steve Pace and staff member Kimmy Antonelli.
“I took charge,” Ms Jones said at the time. “I didn’t mean to, but I did.
“I think I was the only one there who had any first aid training, so I just started to do what I do at work.”
It is thought that Jones’ actions saved Greg’s life.
This was not the first time Greg suffered health issues. He was forced to withdraw from the group’s 2006 US tour after suffering repeated fainting spells, slurred speech, fatigue, and trembling.
After bring diagnosed with a non-life-threatening form of dysautonomia – a hard-to-diagnose chronic illness – Greg decided to step away from the beloved musical act.
Upon his return in 2020, he suffered the near fatal heart attack. At the time, Greg expressed his gratitude to those who helped save his life.
“The fact that those people stepped up to have a go at saving a life, I am so grateful. Had they not stepped in, I would be dead,'” he said. Greg said he had no warning signs.
“I went happily on my way, Wiggle-d my butt off that night, and nearly didn’t make it,” he recounted of the concert.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
