It wouldn’t have been televisions night of nights without a sweet ode to legendary entertainer Bert Newton.
In his opening monologue at the 63rd TV Week Logie Awards, comedian Sam Pang was joined by Bert’s beloved widow, Patti Newton who gave the first time host a message of encouragement.
“You are going to be wonderful,” Patti told Sam to which Sam responds “Thanks Patty.”
The camera then panned closer to Patti’s face as she looked up and smile, telling her husband in heaven “don’t worry, darl, he’ll never be as good as you.”
This sweet moment was captured all on camera at the 63rd TV Week Logie Awards!
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In October 2021, news of Bert Newton’s death rocked Australia.
A year on, his widow Patti shared a tribute to her great love to honour his memory.
Posting a photo from his state funeral pamphlet to Instagram, the performer penned: “On this day one year ago I lost the love of my life. Rest In Peace my darling Bert x.”
Messages of support were quick to flood in.
“On this day one year ago I lost the love of my life.”
(Image: Instagram)“Sending you all of our love Patti- today and every day ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” Jessica Rowe commented.
“Sending love to you darling Patti. ❤️,” Georgia Parker added.
“Sending warm hugs ❤️❤️,” Olivia Newton-John’s niece Tottie Goldsmith wrote.
Patti’s wasn’t the only emotional tribute to mark the loss of Bert.
“I treasure these happy memories 💛.”
(Image: Instagram)The multiple Logie winner’s daughter Lauren also shared a tribute to her own Instagram.
Posting an old photo from hospital, where the entertainment icon was beaming with pride while surrounded by his grandchildren, she penned: “I can’t believe it has been a year since we said goodbye. I treasure these happy memories 💛.”
Bert, who died at age 83, had been battling health complications for a while. In November 2020, it was Patti that revealed her husband had been admitted to hospital.
WATCH: Patti Newton presents the inaugural Bert Newton Award. Article continues after video
The following year, in May, Bert’s leg was amputated due to an uncontrollable infection in his toe.
“It got worse … he was seeing doctors and specialists and they couldn’t seem to get it right, it kept on spreading.” Peter Ford told The Morning Rush with Sean and Kate.
“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 on Saturday.”
Following the amputation, Bert entered rehab. However, complications from the surgery as well his previous illnesses ultimately tainted the road to recovery.
Bert, who died at age 83, had been battling health complications for a while.
(Image: Instagram).“It was complications with everything,” Patti told the Daily Mail about the cause of her husband’s death. “When you have a leg amputated, you have to be on a lot of painkillers, and Bert had, just this year alone, he’s had eight procedures, which all involved anaesthetics, and that affects you pretty badly.
“Your whole system and just everything closes down really. That was all,” she explained.
Bert had dealt with a myriad of serious illnesses in the past, including a bad bout of pneumonia and a stint in intensive care after undergoing quadruple heart bypass surgery.
Speaking to the Herald Sun previously, Patti gave an emotional insight into her husband’s ongoing road to recovery and admitted that “every morning is a bonus”.
“When he had his quadruple bypass, they said it was 50/50 chance,” she told the publication.
