With heartbroken mum Patti playing guardian angel to her disgraced son, Matthew Newton is slowly recovering from the breakdown that led to his attack on ex-fiancee Rachael Taylor.
Faces sombre, heads almost touching, Patti Newton and her troubled son share a quiet moment before embracing, both in tears, at the Sydney psychiatric clinic where Matthew is battling his demons.
Emotions run high as the disgraced actor finds strength from a new closeness with his mum, who has reached out to him in his worst of times. Patti has been secretly flying from Melbourne to take part in her son’s treatment and support his recovery from the depths of despair.
The 33-year-old, who has an AVO against him after allegedly assaulting ex-fiancee Rachael Taylor in Rome in August, was at rock bottom when he began therapy. But friends say Patti’s involvement has made all the difference to the fragile star, with doctors pronouncing him stable enough to venture briefly into the outside world on short trips to local shops.
“Matt on suicide watch had the whole family desperately worried, but that fear has lessened the more his mum has become involved. She is a loyal woman who would never give up on her child – and she’s proved that by wearing a path to his door,” says a friend of the famous family.
With TV veteran Bert resting at the family’s Melbourne home after finishing up an extended Sydney season of stage show Wicked, Patti, 65, has taken charge, becoming a frequent flyer to spend precious time with their son. The devoted mum is bravely shouldering the duty of turning Matthew’s focus forward, but the responsibility has taken its toll on her.
How do you think Patti has dealt with her son’s situation? Share your thoughts below.
Related video: The Newton’s interview.
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