The Wiggles have been forced to address accusations from fans that they were endorsing drug use after appearing in a clip with singer Keli Holiday, real name Adam Hyde.
Hyde posted the clip to promote his new song about ecstasy.
The video in question has been pulled down by Holiday following complaints, and The Wiggles reassured fans that it had been edited and posted without the band’s knowledge.
In the TikTok video, Blue Wiggle Anthony Field and his nephew Dominic Field, better known as his Wiggles character The Tree Of Wisdom, can be seen dancing behind Hyde to his new single Ecstasy.
In the chorus, the musician sings: “Hey girl come on dance with me. You and your pocket full of ecstasy.”
The video in question starts with Hyde gyrating with only a towel around his waist before showing him dancing with the pair in their official Wiggles costumes.
Field swings his legs and performs the signature Wiggle fingers, while The Tree of Wisdom does his famous dance in the video.
Hyde captioned the clip: “The Wiggles get it”.
Following the video’s removal from social media, The Wiggles told The West Australian in a statement that the group “does not condone” the use of drugs “in any form”.
“We understand that a video circulating on social media has caused concern for many parents and professionals, and we want to address that directly,” said a spokesperson for the group. “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 (Adam Hyde) 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 statement added that the group “deeply value the confidence families place in us and we remain committed to creating safe, positive, and educational experiences for children and families in Australia and around the world”.
It comes after Anthony and Dominic both appeared on stage alongside Hyde at the TikTok awards – Anthony playing the bagpipes and Dominic backup dancing – on Wednesday night as he performed a different song, Dancing2.
The video was posted days before new Australian laws come into effect, banning children under 16 from using a number of social media platforms, including TikTok.
Hyde sparked speculation when he rocked up to the TikTok Awards earlier this week without his girlfriend, Abbie Chatfield.
Hyde, who is normally putting a loved-up display with Chatfield on the red carpet at events, posed for photographers alone.
Chatfield did join him inside the event however, and even made a cameo appearance on stage during his performance of viral hit Dancing2.
news.com.au has approached The Wiggles and Hyde for comment.
