TV icon Bert Newton to be honoured with state funeral after death aged 83

Family insiders say Matthew Newton, the son of beloved television icon Bert Newton, is unlikely to return from his US home to attend his father’s state funeral.

The life of TV icon, Bert Newton, will be celebrated during a state funeral in Melbourne, however, his son, Matthew Newton, remains in the US.

The Underbelly actor previously moved to New York, where he has been based since 2012, after his relationship with his parents, Bert and his wife of 46 years Patti, became strained.

An insider told Confidential that it’s “unlikely” that Newton’s only son will return to Australia for the service but that the family is hopeful.

The Newtons also have a daughter, Lauren, who lives near her parents’ home in Melbourne with her former swimmer husband Matt Welsh and their six children.

Matthew Newton (left) with dad Bert (centre) alongside his sister Lauren and mother Patti.

Matthew, 44, built a life in the US with longtime girlfriend, Catherine Schneiderman, who is the daughter of former New York attorney-general Eric Schneiderman.

In 2017, there were reports of a secret wedding, however it’s unclear if they are still together.

He previously battled with addiction and mental health issues along with a string of legal woes which prompted his decision to move overseas nearly a decade ago.

Bert was an icon.

He lived his life on the silver screen and we welcomed his wit and humour into our homes for decades.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Patti, Bert's children and grandchildren.

Vale Bert Newton. pic.twitter.com/A3tFrJ8Bc5

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 30, 2021

pic.twitter.com/OnarhMw3Wf

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) October 30, 2021

His brushes with the law include arrest for battery in Miami in 2012 and domestic violence incidents involving ex-girlfriends Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor.

His Miami charges were dropped after he agreed to pay restitution, and his conviction for assaulting Ms Satchwell was quashed on appeal.

Patti Newton at home with her granddaughter after the death of her husband Bert Newton. Picture: Matrix Pictures

Patti and Bert Newton at opening night of Chicago The Musical in 2019.

Bert had spoken about his son’s struggles 10 years ago.

“A lot of things that have unfolded in recent times, the great majority of those things we’ve learned about them through the media,” Newton once told A Current Affair.

“People might have had the impression that whatever happened, and whatever was done, we condoned it, and when a situation like this comes along, you don’t.

“A lot of people don’t have the experience, but when it concerns your child you say ‘well, of course we love him and we support him’.

“I think I made an error in saying that because I do love him and I do support him, but I don’t support or condone any of the things that have happened. We should have seen the signs . . . but we didn’t.”

Channel Nine will air a special tribute to Bert on Sunday night at 8.35pm.