Logies pay special tribute to late Bert Newton

An emotional Patti Newton said her late husband Bert would be “so happy” with the special way he was honoured at the Logies.

Bert Newton has been remembered at the Logies. Picture: David Caird

Showbiz queen Patti Newton and her daughter Lauren said beloved Logies king, the late Bert Newton, was with them in spirit at the TV industry’s premier awards night.

Patti and Lauren attended the Logies, held on the Gold Coast, to present the inaugural Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter.

“It feels very emotional,” Patti said. “Because they’re doing a tribute to Bert, and because they’re naming an award after him, we feel very special. Bert would be just so happy.”

Lauren added: “It’s wonderful to be here, and Dad always loved the Logies. He’ll be with us in spirit.”

Lauren had a silver necklace, inscribed with “Bert,” made for her mum to wear, while she wore one of Bert’s cummerbund’s over her dress.

“It feels very emotional,” Patti said.

Patti had a slight wardrobe malfunction, splitting her shoe, when she arrived on the red carpet. However, she felt Bert was watching over her.

Patti Newton and Lauren Newton at the Logies. Picture: Getty Images

“Every chance I’ll fall over,” she said, smiling. “But I’ll always have Bert with me.”

After a television career spanning 60 years, in which he became the king of the Logies, Bert died last October from complications after having his leg amputated. He was 83.

Bert hosted TV industry’s night of nights 20 times, won four Gold Logies and was inducted into the Logies Hall Of Fame.

“Bert loved the Logies,” Patti told the Herald Sun at the weekend. “Walking out onto that stage; it is what Bert did so well, (but) it is not what I do well.

“I am just hoping I can do him proud,” Patti said. “I don’t want to let him down.”

She also told Stellar Magazine: “(Bert) would love to be part of the ongoing Logies because they were such a big part of his life. We are so thrilled Bert is being recognised this way.”

While Bert loved the Logies, Patti said there was growing evidence he gave away more than half of his prizes.

Late last year, when Patti started putting Bert’s Logies in a display room at their home, she noticed there were only 17 trophies.

“I think he had about 36,” she said. “I can’t imagine where they’ve all gone.”

She suspects Bert gave them away, adding: “I think there’s a lot of people out there with Bert’s Logies that I don’t know about. If it gives them pleasure, great.”

Bert Newton married Patti McGrath, a singer, actor and dancer, in Camberwell, in November 1974. “We were together for over 50 years,” Patti said.