Bert Newton to have state funeral after death at 83

The family of showbiz icon Bert Newton has been offered a state funeral by the Victorian Premier following his death on Saturday night.

Bert Newton will be honoured at a state funeral following his death at the age of 83.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state funeral in a statement on Sunday morning marking the TV icon’s death.

“Bert Newton was an icon, a larrikin and a born entertainer. We have never known TV without Bert - he was there from the beginning,” Mr Andrews said.

“Above all his achievements, he was a family man and his greatest partnership was with his wife of almost 50 years, Patti. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, their children and their grandchildren.

“We will all have an opportunity to honour his memory, his talent and his achievements at a state funeral. Details will be shared in the coming days.”

According to journalist Peter Ford, Mr Andrews called Patti Newton, Bert’s beloved wife, to extend the state funeral offer last night, shortly after news broke of his passing.

In a tweet posted on Sunday morning, Ford confirmed that Patti had accepted, and that the likely venue for the funeral would be St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.

The veteran performer — affectionately called Moonface — died while undergoing palliative care at a private clinic in Melbourne after having his leg amputated earlier this year due to a life threatening infection.

Newton was a Logie Hall of Fame inductee, quadruple Gold Logie-winning entertainer and a radio, theatre and television personality and presenter. He is survived by his wife Patti, children Lauren and Matthew and extended family.

Speaking to news.com.au, Peter Ford said: “He didn’t get the last chapter he deserved having spent the past year in hospital during Covid and losing his leg.”

Ford called Bert “a great mentor and friend” in his tribute. Picture: Supplied

Touching on his decades-spanning career, he said Newton’s “outrageous and unpredictable character” had earned him fans of all ages, calling him one of the “last of the brigade of the real TV stars.”

Bert is survived by his wife of 46 years Patti Newton. Picture: Getty Images.

The star celebrated his 83rd birthday in hospital in July, after suffering complications from his leg amputation in May. A toe infection four months prior put his condition in a serious category and he was told he could die if drastic action was not taken.

“It got worse … he was seeing doctors and specialists and they couldn’t seem to get it right, it kept on spreading,” Ford said on radio at the time about the amputation.

“Basically he was told last week, you have a couple of months to live, or if you have your leg amputated, you’ll probably have a few years. So, he agreed to have the leg amputated.”

Bert appeared smiling in hospital with granddaughter Lola after his leg amputation. Picture: Instagram

“Lots of ups and downs, but he has a great attitude and still smiling, we are taking every day as a plus,” his wife Patti told News Corp earlier this year.

In 1952, Bert was hired as a junior announcer on the Melbourne radio station 3XY. Two years later and he was a presenter of a program that was recorded on the street called Melbourne Speaks.

Soon the star made his way to television, hosting The Late Show, before he made his debut on In Melbourne Today, in 1959. He soon joined the sister show In Melbourne Tonight, becoming a regular alongside the King of Television, Graham Kennedy.

TV presenter Graham Kennedy with Bert Newton.

In early 1960 he hosted The Bert Newton Show, and the duo appeared weekly on The Graham Kennedy Show on Channel 9.

A short stint back on radio, and he returned to TV when he was in the 1975 show The Don Lane Show as sidekick “barrel boy” to Don Lane that earned him the title of “Moonface”.

Bert Newton and Don Lane on The Don Lane Show.

When he left the network in 2005, Bert Newton signed a three-year deal with Nine in 2006, going on to host Bert’s Family Feud, 20 To 1, and What A Year.

He even reprised his role as Logies host in 2006 when he co-hosted with former Gold Logie winners Lisa McCune, Georgie Parker, Ray Martin and Daryl Somers. He hosted the show solo in 2010.

In fact he went on to host he show over 20 times.

TV icon Bert Newton has died aged 83.

Hosting gigs on game show Ford Superquiz, talent show New Faces and Tonight with Bert Newton followed before he was asked to host Good Morning Australia on Network Ten in 1992. He was the host of the program for 14 years before the show was cancelled in late 2005.

Newton also added a number of starring roles in musical theatre to his resume, including in Beauty And The Beast (1995), The Sound Of Music (1999), The Producers (2012), Grease (2013) and Wicked (2009), where he played the role of the Wizard.

Maggie Kirkpatrick and Bert Newton in Wicked.

Bert Newton playing Cogsworth in Melbourne production of stage show Beauty And The Beast.

Tributes have already begun pouring in for the larger-than life entertainer.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a statement saying “there will never be another like him”.

“Bert came into our homes and made himself very welcome. He was a regular guest and we always looked forward to his next visit,” Mr Morrison said.

Bert Newton, four-time winner of the Gold Logie.

“Bert could give and take a joke. He could laugh at himself, I’m sure that’s what made Australians warm to him as much as we did.

“Australians also understood his steadfast love of Patti, and her steadfast strength.

“To Patti and the family, Jen and I send our love, and we send the country’s love as well.”

Today Extra host David Campbell wrote that it was “the end of an era.”

“RIP Bert Newton,” he posted on Instagram.

“We all grew up with him. He loved this industry and supported so many of us. My thoughts go out to Patti and his kids. Thank you Bert. I was just a young singer and he always had me on his show. It was an absolute honour”.

Entertainment reporters including Richard Wilkins and Angela Bishop also paid tribute to the entertainer.

What a loss. There was no one quite like the great Bert Newton. To have lost him at 83 is still too soon, because he’s truly irreplaceable. Brilliant, cheeky, generous, kind. Sending deepest condolences to his beloved Patti, Lauren, Matthew and his treasured grandkids. Vale. 💔

— Angela Bishop (@AngelaBishop) October 30, 2021

We’ve lost a legend! R.I.P #bertnewton …. Sincere condolences to Patti, Lauren , Matthew and family. Thanks for the laughs ….

— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) October 30, 2021

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett said he was saddened by the loss and hit back at some on social media who he said were trying to tarnish Newton’s name.

So sorry to hear of Bert Newton's death. He had been part of our life's for so many years.
Providing laughter and joy, and generosity for so many good causes.
Patti, we are thinking of you and your family.
Much love.

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) October 30, 2021

For those who are making callous regards you have no friends and will be remembered by few.
Bert Newton's offended no one and gave generously throughout his life.
He gave us relief from the stresses of every day life.
He has earned your respect as he has had ours for years.

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) October 30, 2021

Vale Bert Newton, a true Melbourne legend, a true believer and a world class entertainer. #bertnewtonpic.twitter.com/sVl8UlNOu6

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) October 30, 2021