TV icon, Bert Newton will be farewelled with a state funeral, former Channel Nine boss, Eddie McGuire, has revealed on live television this morning.
Mr McGuire has told the Today Show that Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews had offered Bert’s widow, Patti, a state memorial service to farewell her partner of 47-years.
It’s understood Patti Newton has accepted the Premier’s offer.
“He died on Derby Day – the day of champions. Could there be a more fitting way for Bert to go out?” Mr McGuire said.
“And even more so, he waited till we got out of lockdown because he wasn’t going to have a matinee funeral – he was going to have a big one.
“And I can tell you exclusively that Patti Newton will receive this morning this morning a phone call from Daniel Andrews of Victoria to offer the family a state funeral in Bert’s honour to be held probably at St Pat’s Cathedral, his beloved Catholic church in the next week or so.
“That’s what Melbourne feels about Bert Newton. That’s what I feel about Bert Newton. And speaking to his legion of colleagues and friends over the last 12 hours or so, that’s what everyone feels – a sense of loss but also a sense of pride and love that our Bert has always been our Bert.”
