Tributes pour in for Bert Newton after his death aged 83 from health battle

Australians across the country have bid farewell to television legend Bert Newton. 

The death of the 83-year-old was announced late on Saturday night with tributes pouring in for the entertainer.

Politicians and fellow TV and radio personalities have farewelled the father and grandfather who died after a long health battle which saw him have one of his legs amputated.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese shared his heartfelt condolences to Newton’s loved ones.

‘My heart goes out to his family who have lost a husband, a father and friend. And to Australia who have lost an icon,’ he tweeted.

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten described Newton as a ‘world class entertainer’ and a ‘true Melbourne legend’.

Today Extra host, David Campbell said the late TV star was ‘the ultimate showman’.

‘The absolute and of an era. We all grew up with Bert. The ultimate showman. The man who made us all laugh,’ he wrote.

Comedian Adam Hills sung his praises, declaring Newton as the ‘ultimate entertainer’.

‘Australian TV wouldn’t be what it is without Bert. It’s up to us all to take what he taught us, and keep his spirit alive,’ he said.

Bert is survived by his wife Patti (pictured together) and his two children and six grandkids

‘Enormous love to his family. Take a bow, Bert. You deserve the applause.’

Channel 9 presenter Richard Wilkins said Australia had ‘lost a legend’ while 7 News’ Michael Usher said Newton deserved a ‘standing ovation’.

Australia’s health minister Greg Hunt said Newton had ‘lit up’ the screens of families for decades.

‘He was a part of very fabric of our television landscape and a key part of the continuing evolution of the silver screen,’ Mr Hunt tweeted.

Former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said Bert was a constant in many Aussies’ living rooms.

‘Farewell to a true Australian entertainment icon,’ he shared. 

Newton had been receiving palliative care at a clinic in Melbourne at the time of his death which has sent shockwaves around the nation.

His health battle began in March when he was hospitalised for a toe infection.

The infection deteriorated so severely that he underwent life-saving surgery in May to have his leg removed.  

At the time of his surgery, Patti, his wife of 47 years, told the Daily Telegraph she had ‘never seen anybody in more pain’ than her husband on the morning of his operation.

She added: ‘I just felt he could not go through pain like he was going through for much longer.’

Bert went into surgery at 7.50am on May 8 and Patti learned it had been a success at 3pm. ‘It was a long day and a long wait,’ she said. 

Patti, 76, also spoke of her husband’s fighting spirit, saying the grandfather of six agreed to the life-changing surgery because ‘he has so much to live for’.

‘This is not a death sentence,’ she said, adding: ‘He is lucky; he has got family all around him. The grandkids mean the world to him.’

On October 24, Patti posted a photo of a beaming Bert recovering in his hospital bed while surrounded by five of his grandchildren.

‘That’s what happiness is,’ Patti captioned the photo. 

More to come.