TV legend has leg amputated in life and death choice

Patti Newton has detailed the harrowing decision to amputate TV legend Bert’s leg and how they will adapt to a “new normal”.

TV legend Bert Newton has “so much to live for" after lifesaving surgery to amputate his leg.

Newton, who has been in hospital in Melbourne for the past six weeks, had the operation on Saturday.

Newton, 82, had a toe infection four months ago but his condition escalated and, after taking advice from various specialists, he was told he could die if drastic action was not taken.

The ultimatum was given — stay as you are and your life is endangered, or have part of your leg removed and you could live for years.

Wife Patti said the TV icon made a choice to live when deciding to go ahead with the amputation.

Patti visited her husband in hospital today and said he was in good spirits and would adapt to the “new normal” following the operation to remove his right leg just below his knee.

“He had a choice and his choice was to live,” Patti said.

“It is going to be a long journey, but we are all very positive and he is strong.

Bert Newton celebrates his 80th birthday. Picture: David Caird

“I came in on Saturday at 6.30am and I saw him before he was operated on.

“I have never seen anybody in more pain.

“I just felt he could not go through pain like he was going through for much longer.

“He went into surgery at 7.50am and then next time I heard anything was 3pm.

“It was a long day and a long wait.

“The operation did not take that long, but it was about waiting for him to come out of recovery.”

Patti revealed Newton has undergone three small operations in recent weeks to try and fix the damage to his foot and leg, which did not work, leading to the decision to amputate.

“This (amputation) is not a nice thing to happen but it is not a death sentence,” she said.

“Because he has so much to live for he will do his utmost to make this work.

“Where there is a will, there is a way and that is him. He is strong.”

Newton’s devoted wife Patti is by his side as he recovers. Picture: David Caird

Newton’s six grandchildren visited him on Sunday night showering him with love.

“He is lucky, he has got family all around him. The grandkids mean the world to him,” she said.

“We have been together for over 50 years and you just want to get as much out of it (life) as you can in the latter years.

“You don’t want anything to happen to either of you.”

Newton will remain in hospital as he begins his long recovery.

Patti is herself recovering from a broken ankle after taking a tumble and is using a knee scooter to get around.

Friends and entertainment identities rallied around Newton and his family on Monday.

“Sending all my absolute best wishes to Bert Newton for a speedy and successful recovery post surgery. Much love to him, Patti and the entire family,” Rove McManus wrote on Twitter.

“Sending my love to Bert Newton. I adore you and always have.

I know you have that amazing family around you to bring much comfort,” posted Christie Whelan-Browne.

“Bert, you are an entertainment icon. Good luck mate,” wrote Dave Hughes.

Newton has had health issues for a number of years including diabetes and ongoing medical management relating to his quadruple heart bypass in 2012.

In recent years has also had several bouts of pneumonia.

He had a five week stay in the Epworth Hospital in November last year which was described as a period of rest, physical rehabilitation for existing injuries and physical weaknesses, and time for monitoring and check-ups.

Newton is a proud “Poppy” to six grandchildren: Sam, Eva, Lola, Perla, Monty and Alby.

His youngest grandson, Alby, was born in August last year and is named in his honour.

His daughter, Lauren, explained the significance of Alby’s name last year, noting that Newton’s closest friends called him “Alby.”

Patti Newton outside the hospital on Monday. Picture: MEDIA-MODE

Newton and Patti with daughter Lauren, son-in-law Matt and their children Sam, Monty, Lola and Eva. Picture: David Caird

“Graham (Kennedy) and Don (Lane) called him Alby,” Newton said.

“Dad burst into tears when mum (Patti Newton) told him Alby’s name and that he had another grandson.

“It is a lovely legacy and it means so much to him. They are going to be quite a team.”

Newton was last seen on TV in 2020 as one of the celebrities whose family history was investigated by the SBS series Who Do You Think You Are.

Newton is the great, enduring star of the Australian entertainment industry.

He started his career as a 15-year-old in Melbourne and in 2020 was still appearing on air, being featured as one of the celebrities whose family history was investigated by the SBS series Who Do You Think You Are.

“When I left school, I went to 3XY and got a job as a turntable operator playing the records and they wanted me to train as an announcer. I finished up getting on air at 15, which was then the youngest announcer in Melbourne, and that was the start or everything,” he told the Herald Sun last year.

“When I became a young announcer at 15 I thought, ‘Well, that might be the end of it’, because at that time rock ’n’ roll was about to come in and I knew I wouldn’t be suitable for that. But in the meantime, television came along.”

Newton moved to Channel 7 at the end of 1956, the year commercial television launched in Australia and started on-air with the network in 1957.

He moved to Channel 9 in 1959 and was a network star for 28 years during which time he formed legendary on-air partnerships with Graham Kennedy and later Don Lane.

He then spent 14 years at Channel 10 before returning to Channel 9 from 2006 – 2012.

Newton has been a much loved theatre performer appearing in shows including The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, Annie, The Producers, Grease The Musical and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Newton said in an interview with the Herald Sun in 2018 to mark his 80th birthday that he was deeply thankful for his extraordinary career and said he was “lucky to be lucky”.

“I was very lucky because I was able to have three wishes granted,” he said.

“I always loved radio and theatre and then eventually television, and I was able to work in all three and work with wonderful people who were so good at what they did.”