It’s a sad day for Australians today, following the news of Bert Newton’s passing, one of the country’s most loved TV legends.
The famous entertainer, died in a private Melbourne clinic following a long battle with an infection that led to the amputation of his leg back in May.
Alongside the many celebrities and media personalities that shared their grief and extended their condolences to the family were political leaders such as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
“Australia loved Bert. There will never be another like him,” the Prime Minister said.
“Bert came into our homes and made himself very welcome. He was a regular guest and we always looked forward to his next visit,” he added reiterating Bert Newton’s career achievements that include four Gold Logies, hosting the Logies on 20 occasions and entertaining Australians for over half a century.
“Bert Newton was from the golden era of television when we all seemed to watch the same thing,” Mr Morrison said, adding that “They were the times of variety programs on TV “the King” Graham Kennedy, Don Lane, Mike Walsh, Jeannie Little and Daryl on Hey Hey! There was a familiarity that connected us to Bert, but it also connected us to each other. We could laugh together. That was his gift.”
“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. Even when a joke misfired, he had that ability to scramble in a way that made us laugh, and put everyone at ease. Australians also understood his steadfast love of Patti, and her steadfast strength,” he said, sending Patti and the family love and strength.
On a similar note, Mr Andrews said that “Bert Newton was an icon, a larrikin and a born entertainer”.
“We have never known TV without Bert – he was there from the beginning. From black and white to colour – as TV changed, Bert endured. He lived his life on the silver screen — and we welcomed his wit and humour into our homes.”
Reflecting on his legacy in the coming days, the Premier said we will all be reminded of his legendary partnerships with Graham Kennedy and Don Lane given that for so many, those partnerships are as inseparable as they are memorable.
“He brought the Logies to life during TV’s golden era. And while TV was always his anchor, Bert was also a star on radio and the stage — performing in some of our most iconic musicals including Phantom of the Opera and the Rocky Horror Picture Show among others. But 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,” the Premier added after having called Newton’s beloved wife Patti to extend a state funeral offer which the family accepted.
