Australian TV icon Bert Newton dies aged 83

By Angus ThompsonUpdated October 30, 2021 â€" 9.48pmfirst published at 9.17pm

Australian entertainment icon Bert Newton has died, aged 83.

The veteran performer, whose long career spanned across television, stage and radio, died tonight while undergoing palliative care at a private clinic in Melbourne.

Tributes have already begun pouring in for the larger-than life entertainer, who earlier this year underwent surgery to amputate part of his leg below the knee.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford, who is a long-time friend of Newton broke the news on Twitter, saying Newton didn’t get “the last chapter he deserved”.

Ford said he’d received a phone call from Newton’s wife, Patti, early tonight before 9pm.

“It wasn’t totally unexpected,” Ford said, referring to Newton’s deteriorating health and operation this year, saying 2021 had been a “horrific year” for the Newton family.

“It’s been a horrible, horrible last chapter.”

Ford described Newton’s death as the “end of an era” in Australian show business.

“He’s the last of the iconic figures of those original days, he had a most extraordinary career in television, not to forget theatre, and also radio too. His success in radio in Melbourne was record-breaking,” Ford said.

“Everybody should celebrate that extraordinary career and the fun he brought people, but part of me can’t help but feel he didn’t get the last chapter he deserved.”

Nine’s Director of Television, Michael Healy, described Newton as a “giant of our industry, entertaining generations of Australians across our television screens.”

“He brought unbridled joy and laughter into our homes as part of so many programs, partnerships and formats. He was loved by us all at Nine and we wish Patti, Lauren, Matt and their families our sincere condolences at this sad time,” Mr Healy said.

Just days ago, Patti posted a photo of Newton with his grandchildren by his bedside, with the caption, “That’s what Happiness Is”.

Television host and comedian Adam Hills said Australian TV “wouldn’t be what it is without Bert.”

“It’s up to all of us to take what he taught us, and keep his spirit alive,” Hills posted on social media.

Tributes have also been flowing from Australia’s political leaders, with federal Health Minister Greg Hunt describing him as “part of very fabric of our television landscape and a key part of the continuing evolution of the silver screen.”

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