Former Wiggle Murray Cook is returning to stage after open-heart surgery

‘It’s a bit daunting, but I’m thrilled’: Former Red Wiggle Murray Cook is returning to the stage with his band after undergoing open-heart surgery

Former Red Wiggle Murray Cook is returning to the stage on January 23 after undergoing open-heart surgery in December.

The 60-year-old, who retired from the children’s entertainment group in 2012, will perform with his band The Soul Movers in Sydney’s Marrickville. 

‘I’m really looking forward to it, it’s a little bit daunting but I’m thrilled to get on stage and see the crowd,’ Murray told The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Sunday. 

‘It’s a bit daunting, but I’m thrilled’: Former Wiggle Murray Cook, 60, is returning to the stage on January 23, after undergoing open-heart surgery in December. Pictured in 2019

Murray was released from St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney last month after undergoing surgery where a faulty aortic valve was replaced. 

He was hospitalised last year after having difficulty breathing while swimming, and has had a heart murmur since a child.

Murray told Confidential that he’s been gradually increasing his walking, from two 10-minute sessions to two half-hour sessions a day.

‘The big thing is getting your lungs going again because during the operation they deflated my lungs to stop my heart, and it takes a little while to get your heart going again so there’s a lot of breathing exercises,’ he said.   

He's back! Murray, who retired from the children's entertainment group in 2012, will perform with his band The Soul Movers in Sydney's Marrickville. Pictured as the Red Wiggle in 2008

He’s back! Murray, who retired from the children’s entertainment group in 2012, will perform with his band The Soul Movers in Sydney’s Marrickville. Pictured as the Red Wiggle in 2008 

In an Instagram post on November 30, Murray detailed going into hospital for open-heart surgery.

‘It’s a condition I have been aware of all my life and I knew at some stage I’d need surgery,’ he told his followers in a video uploaded to his account.

‘It’s a fairly routine procedure but pretty major and I’ll be recovering for about six weeks.

'The big thing is getting your lungs going again': Murray told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday that he's been gradually increasing his walking, from two 10-minute sessions to two half-hour sessions a day

‘The big thing is getting your lungs going again’: Murray told The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Sunday that he’s been gradually increasing his walking, from two 10-minute sessions to two half-hour sessions a day 

Candid: In an Instagram post on November 30, the star detailed going into Sydney's St Vincent's Private Hospital for open-heart surgery to replace a faulty valve

Candid: In an Instagram post on November 30, the star detailed going into Sydney’s St Vincent’s Private Hospital for open-heart surgery to replace a faulty valve

‘I’ll be fighting fit in a few weeks and back on stage playing the guitar, doing all the things I love doing. I couldn’t really get through it without your support.’

It comes after Murray’s former Wiggles bandmate Greg Page, 49, suffered a heart attack and collapsed at a Wiggles reunion concert at Castle Hill RSL on January 17 last year. 

Last month, Greg became emotional during a live interview on Sunrise as he recalled the terrifying moment.   

Greg was being introduced to hosts Samantha Armytage and David ‘Kochie’ Koch when footage played of him collapsing and almost losing his life.

Health scare: Murray's former Wiggles bandmate Greg Page (in yellow), 49, suffered a heart attack and collapsed on January 17, 2020. Pictured in 2006 with Murray (far left), Jeff Fatt (centre), and Anthony Field (far right)

Health scare: Murray’s former Wiggles bandmate Greg Page (in yellow), 49, suffered a heart attack and collapsed on January 17, 2020. Pictured in 2006 with Murray (far left), Jeff Fatt (centre), and Anthony Field (far right) 

Unexpected: The terrifying moment occurred during a Wiggles reunion concert at Castle Hill RSL in Sydney. Pictured on the far right

Unexpected: The terrifying moment occurred during a Wiggles reunion concert at Castle Hill RSL in Sydney. Pictured on the far right    

‘I was just watching that footage back and got a little bit teary to be honest,’ the father-of-four said.

‘I don’t reflect on that moment very often and seeing Grace (a paramedic) there again and realising what happened. It happens every day to so many people around Australia and these (defibrillators) can make such a difference.   

‘You never know when cardiac arrest might strike. People need to be prepared in every way possible.’ 

Greg has since been given a stent to help keep his arteries open and continues to encourage Australians to learn essential first aid skills like CPR, which can help save others in the same situation. 

On the mend: Greg has since been given a stent to help keep his arteries open and continues to encourage Australians to learn essential first aid skills like CPR

On the mend: Greg has since been given a stent to help keep his arteries open and continues to encourage Australians to learn essential first aid skills like CPR