Australian television icon, Bert Newton, has died this evening, aged 83.
Journalist Peter Ford broke the sad news on social media tonight on behalf of the Newton family.
“I have very sad news,” Mr Ford tweeted.
“Showbiz icon Bert Newton has died at age 83. It was remarkable career on TV, stage & radio. Sadly he didn’t get the last chapter he deserved. He was a great mentor & friend to me. Condolences to Patti, Lauren, Matthew & extended family,” he wrote.
The veteran entertainer died while in palliative care at a private clinic in Melbourne. The tragic news comes just months after the four-time Gold Logie winner was forced to have a leg amputated due to a life-threatening infection.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patti, children Lauren and Matthew and six grandchildren.
“He didn’t get the last chapter he deserved having spent the past year in hospital during Covid and losing his leg,” journalist, Peter Ford told news.com.au tonight.
He had celebrated his 83rd birthday in hospital in July, after suffering complications from his leg amputation in May.
“It got worse. He was seeing doctors and specialists and they couldn’t seem to get it right, it kept on spreading,” Ford said on radio at the time about the amputation,” said Mr Ford.
“Basically he was told last week, you have a couple of months to live, or if you have your leg amputated, you’ll probably have a few years. So, he agreed to have the leg amputated.”
Bert’s media career began at age 14, when he made his first radio broadcast. At age 20, he joined 9News in Melbourne.
Nine’s Director of Television, Michael Healy said Newton was a “giant of our industry, entertaining generations of Australians across our television screens”.
“He brought unbridled joy and laughter into our homes as part of so many programs, partnerships and formats,” Mr Healy said.
“He was loved by us all at Nine and we wish Patti, Lauren, Matt and their families our sincere condolences at this sad time.”
