Bert Newton ill with pneumonia

Legendary perormer Bert Newton is seriously ill in hospital, suffering from pneumonia.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford broken the news on 3AW this afternoon, advising that the 72 year old is at Melbourne’s private Epworth hospital.

“He is in hospital and being well cared for,” Ford told radio 3AW.

Newton is believed to have caught the illness from his granddaughter Eva.

“[Eva] had it when she was first born. She was very ill, and she has recently had another touch of it,” Ford said.

“Bert, who was has been away performing in Wicked in Adelaide, was back in Melbourne and spending lots of time with his little granddaughter because he hadn’t seen her for so long. Lots of kisses and cuddles and next thing, Bert’s caught it.”

He said Newton was being treated at a Melbourne hospital, and his condition was serious.

“Obviously pneumonia is a dicey illness at the best of times and fingers crossed he’s going to be OK, but his condition I’m told is serious. There’s no word on when he will be out of hospital or when he can resume his role in Wicked over in Perth,” Ford said.

‘Moonface’ as he is affectionately known is beloved for his dedication and passion to performing, as evidenced through his continual showbiz work in television and theatre.

Update: Nine News reports Patti Newton has clarified Bert is not gravely ill, and was previously hospitalised for pneumonia earlier this year.

A spokeswoman for the hospital could not confirm earlier reports Newton’s condition was serious, saying only that he was suffering from viral pneumonia, but was ‘‘doing well’’.
‘‘He himself said to me he is doing well, he is in good spirits,’’ she said.
‘‘He has viral pneumonia, and he is looking forward to getting back to work next week.

‘‘He is certainly not in a critical condition.’’