Staying Young: Anthony Field

In his book How I Got My Wiggle Back, Anthony Field , the \"blue Wiggle,\" reveals for the first time that as he and his group soared to fame and fortune, he was locked in a downward spiral that nearly ended his career. Anthony tells the story of the years he spent suffering from joint pain, multiple allergies, chronic headaches, and clinical depression. He also talks about his remarkable recovery and the simple techniques that can help anyone suffering with similar problems to regain their health.

Anthony Field

Anthony Field is an Australian musician and actor. He is best known as a member of the children’s group The Wiggles and for his involvement in the 1980’s and ’90’s chart-topping band The Cockroaches with two of his brothers, Paul and John, and purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt. Anthony was born in Sydney’s western suburbs in 1963 and is the youngest of seven children. Coming from a long line of musicians, he developed a passion for music at a young age and was taught the violin at school, and guitar from his brother John and by listening to Elvis and Rolling Stones records. Anthony served as a member of Australia’s regular army from 1982 until 1985 as an infantry soldier and a piper with the 5/7 Royal Australian Regiment at Holsworthy. Later, during his time in The Cockroaches, Anthony appeared in the film The Crossing with Russell Crowe and hosted the popular music show Countdown. After The Cockroaches disbanded in the early 1990s, Anthony went on to attend Macquarie University Institute of Early Childhood Learning where he obtained his Diploma in Education.

As the creator of The Wiggles, Anthony produces all of the music for the group, writes and directs all their live shows and is the blue Wiggle. Since forming over twenty years ago, The Wiggles have achieved phenomenal success worldwide; including selling over 23 million videos/DVDs and 7 million CDs, being broadcast in over 140 countries and selling out countless live shows.

As a result of the group’s success and strong reputation, they have had the opportunity to partner with leading companies such as Medibank, Volkswagen and Flight Centre, and have been highly recognised through many awards and acknowledgements. Perhaps most notable of their achievements, The Wiggles were named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors in 2008, were awarded honorary doctorate degrees from both Australian Catholic University and Macquarie University, and the four original members of the group were in 2010 appointed Members in the Order of Australia (for their service to the arts in Australia, especially children’s entertainment, and for their contributions and support of several charities). In addition to this, Anthony partly hosted Steve Irwin’s memorial, which was televised around the world in September 2006. In 2008, Anthony, along with his brother Paul, created two new children’s television series, The Kingdom of Paramithi and Baby Antonio’s Circus. Both series have been broadcast within Australia and several other countries and are continually developing as independent successful children’s brands.

In addition to his public profile as the blue Wiggle, Anthony is internationally recognised as the host of the Australian television series RSPCA Animal Rescue. The reality show has to date aired four series on the Seven Network, each episode successfully attracting an average audience of 1.6 million viewers. It has also been broadcast overseas, including in New Zealand and London.

In 2011, Anthony took on the role of Ambassador for the Australian Spinal Research Foundation and became a spokesman for Anaphylaxis Australia (his young son Antonio has an allergy to nuts and so Anthony is keen to encourage awareness of the importance of allergy management).

In recent years Anthony has developed a passion for fitness; in particular for gymnastics, acrobatics and cycling. This newfound interest has led to him being interviewed and often photographed for various publications and news stories, including by popular Australian magazine Men’s Health for an article about keeping fit and healthy at any age. Significantly, Anthony released his first book, How I Got My Wiggle Back, in February 2012, which tells his inspiring, behind-the-scenes story of how he overcame depression, a life-threatening illness and chronic pain to get his life back and reach peak fitness at the age of 48!

Though once named Cleo’s Bachelor of the Year, these days Anthony is happily married to wife Miki and together they have two young daughters, Lucia and Maria, and a son, Antonio.

Anthony\'s Website