Message from Bert Newton’s son Matthew to be read at funeral

Matthew Newton will not attend his late father Bert’s funeral but the actor’s role at the memorial has now been confirmed.

Bert Newton’s only son, Matthew Newton, will not attend the late TV icon’s upcoming funeral but will honour his father with a message to be read at the service.

The former Underbelly actor, who lives in New York, has reportedly prepared a heartfelt tribute to Newton, who tragically died at age 83 on Saturday while undergoing palliative care in Melbourne.

Family friends have confirmed that while the 44-year-old will miss his father’s funeral, he will still be involved.

“Matthew, the son, is not going to be there. He’s not answerable to the media, he’s not answerable to the public – that’s his choice,” Channel 7 presenter and Newton family friend, Peter Ford, said on The Morning Show.

“What I can tell you is that there will be a message that will be read, that he will compose himself, that will be read at the funeral as will other messages be read obviously but he will not be attending.

Matthew Newton (left) will not attend his late father Bert’s funeral but will share a heartfelt message.

Matthew, 44, relocated to the US in 2012. Picture: J. Merritt

Bert, Patti, Matthew and Lauren Newton in the 1980s.

“There was a good connection from Matthew, he didn’t choose to fly back throughout this year even though Bert was clearly seriously ill all year and for the last several weeks gravely ill. He did have a lot of Facetime conversations with him and provided support in that way.”

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

Newton will be celebrated during a state funeral at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral which is likely to be held next week.

Newton’s grieving wife of 46 years, Patti, is currently planning the service, which will be livestreamed but not televised.

Bert Newton and son Matthew in 1988. Picture: Genevieve Edwards

It comes after a family insider told Confidential that Matthew was “unlikely” to return to Australia for his late father’s funeral after having relocated to the US nearly a decade ago following a string of legal woes.

The actor lives there with his longtime partner, Catherine Schneiderman, who is the daughter of former New York attorney-general Eric Schneiderman.

He previously battled with addiction and mental health issues and had several brushes with the law which prompted his decision to leave Australia for good in 2012.

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.