How Bert Newton inspired Patti's new role on the stage
Patti Newton has shared how her late husband Bert inspired her new role on the stage.
The 78-year-old, who has had a long career in showbiz, has joined the cast of Mary Poppins as the bird lady, but held her reservations before accepting the role.
Speaking candidly with Perth's 6PR radio station, Patti admitted she had a bittersweet feeling about returning to the stage without Bert.
"I love a lot of musical theatre and Bert's done some fabulous shows, he and I did a couple together and musical theatre is something that gets in your blood," she told 6PR's Perth Live with Oliver Peterson.
"When I was offered this role, it wasn't long after Bert passed and I was very lost and didn't quite know what I was going to do."
"Then this came and I thought to myself, 'I think Bert sent this to me' because it's come straight from heaven, it's a beautiful role."
In August, Patti was awarded with a Walk of Fame star at Adelaide Festival Centre, 22 years after Bert was presented with the same honour.
Patti told Oliver Peterson that the accolade meant they would "always be together", as she reflected on the highlights of her career.
"I was absolutely thrilled, it was probably for me going to Vietnam many years ago in the '60s entertaining the troops - and probably the fact that I'm Mrs Bert Newton," she said.
"Now I think it doesn't matter what happens, now we'll always be together on that Walk of Fame and we've both got a star there."
"I was really thrilled about that, I thought that was very, very moving for me."
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