Channel 10 to broadcast the state funeral of Bert Newton live

The state funeral for late TV icon Bert Newton will be aired live on Channel 10 next Friday, November 12.

The broadcast will feature a tribute to the Logie-winning entertainer beforehand in a special edition of Studio 10.

Studio 10 made the announcement of their tribute to Newton and broadcasting of his state funeral in Melbourne in a tweet on Friday.

A special farewell to a TV legend: Channel 10 will broadcast the state funeral of Bert Newton live and will showcase a special tribute to the TV icon on Studio 10

‘Celebrating #BertNewton — join us for a very special edition of Studio 10 as we celebrate the life of Bert Newton with golden moments from the Channel 10 archive, memories from his friends and co-stars, and his state funeral live,’ it read. 

It seems fitting that the entertainer’s funeral is aired on 10, considering Newton famously hosted the network’s popular breakfast program Good Morning Australia. 

He presented the morning variety show for Australian audiences for 13 years from 1992 to 2005.

Tragic: The TV icon died in palliative care at a Melbourne hospital on Saturday at the age of 83. The iconic funnyman had a well publicised battle with illness over recent months. Pictured with wife Patti Newton 

Bert died in palliative care at a Melbourne hospital on Saturday at the age of 83.

The TV legend had a well publicised battle with illness over recent months. 

His state funeral next Friday will have the entire Newton family in attendance with the exception of son Matthew. 

Remembrance: Bert’s state funeral next Friday will have the entire Newton family in attendance with the exception of son Matthew. Pictured with wife Patti Newton

Matthew, who currently resides in New York, will have a personal message read out at his father’s funeral instead. 

The former actor has penned a heartbreaking tribute, but remained tight-lipped as to why he won’t be flying back to Australia.

Patti Newton, Bert’s beloved wife, spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia from her Melbourne home on Monday about the funeral and Matthew’s absence.

Tribute: Bert’s son Matthew (right), who currently resides in New York, will have a personal message read out at his father’s funeral instead

The singer explained that her son would be held by the by the Covid-19 pandemic, which continues to cause havoc across the United States, and it would prove to be too difficult to travel at this time.

‘It’s just the logistics of it all, and with Covid, and with everything else,’ she said. 

Patti also slammed media reports that there was a ‘rift’ between Bert and Matthew.

‘There was no rift. He’s had many long conversations with Bert in the hospital and that was all fine,’ she said. 

Setting the record: Patti Newton spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia from her Melbourne home on Monday about the funeral and Matthew’s absence 

Patti revealed Matthew had spoken to Bert in his final days via video conference, where they would discuss his famous father’s relationships with some of Hollywood’s hottest stars of his era.  

‘He had the best conversations. They’re both into movies and things, so they talked about old movies and I think the height of the conversation was about Glenn Ford because Bert was the only one that Glenn Ford would speak to and Matthew had heard the story and he wanted to hear it again,’ she said.

‘I’ve had so many conversations with him. We had a conversation last night and all the family were here. (The media) want to make it a rift, but there was no rift. There was never a rift with Bert,’ she added.

Truth: Patti slammed media reports that there was a ‘rift’ between Bert and Matthew and revealed the pair had actually spoken via video conference a few days before the TV icon passed away