Bert Newton released from Epworth Hospital after viral pneumonia scare

BERT Newton has left hospital with his wife Patti after a pneumonia scare, and is already talking about getting back to work.

Bert Newton, hospital

BERT Newton has left hospital with his wife Patti after a pneumonia scare.

The TV legend was all smiles as he left Melbourne's Epworth Hospital about 1.30pm.

Newton said after more than a week in hospital he hoped to be back at work within weeks.

“I feel great, it’s nice to be back under normal circumstances,” Newton said.

“It came as a bit of a shock, but so long as I do my best, the doctors tell me do exactly what they say, and I’ll be back on stage very very soon”

Newton said the “wake up call” hadn’t prompted any talk of retirement.

“Its the old story. What I do I don't see as a job, I see it as something I love doing and it’s a very important part of my life.”

But he said there was some rehab to do before doctors would let him back on the stage to resume his role in the musical Wicked.

The 72-year-old ended in hospital after catching a viral pneumonia from his granddaughter, Eva.

Other members of his family, but notably not son Matthew were by his bedside during his treatment.

A family friend in Melbourne said they hope father and son will catch up after Newton Sr is discharged from hospital.

Wife Patti has previously told how Bert contracted the virus during a cuddle with his grandkids.

"He came home and had a break and he was cuddling the grandchildren, his little granddaughter Eva had just had a shocking bout of bronchial pneumonia ... and Bert got it very badly."

An Epworth spokesperson previously said Newton had been in "very good spirits" during his stay.

Eva is the daughter of Bert and Patti's daughter, Lauren, and her ex-swimstar husband, Matt Welsh.

Newton has starred in the touring musical for the past three years.