Patti Newton says her late husband Bert would be 'overwhelmed' by the outpouring of love and support

Patti Newton has said that her husband Bert would be stunned by the outpouring of support over his passing.

‘He would be overwhelmed by the response,’ the 76-year-old told The Herald Sun.

‘I’m overwhelmed by it, because I find myself thinking: I hope I appreciated him enough. I hope I told him how fabulous he was,’ she added.

‘He lived to be loved’: Patti Newton, 76, has said that her husband Bert would be overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief over his passing. Pictured together

‘Bert wanted to be loved and he never thought he was. He wanted more than anything in the world to be loved. He always said, “Do you love me?” I’d say, “Don’t be stupid, of course I love you.” Nothing was enough. It had to be more.’ 

The showbiz legend will be laid to rest at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral at 10am on Friday. 

The attendance list will be capped at 500 fully vaccinated guests, consisting of family, friends and colleagues.

Proud: ‘I’m overwhelmed by it, because I find myself thinking: I hope I appreciated him enough. I hope I told him how fabulous he was,’ she added

Patti is understood to have chosen the hymns and prayers for the service.

According to the publication, musical theatre star Rhonda Burchmore will read a passage from the Bible as part of the proceedings.

The funeral will stream live at Federation Square and via the Victorian Government website. 

Careful: The attendance list will be capped at 500 fully vaccinated guests consisting of family, friends and colleagues. Pictured: St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne, Victoria

Open: The funeral will stream live at Federation Square and via the Victorian Government website

It will also air live on Channel 10, as well as Channel 9, The Herald Sun reports. 

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

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

TV: It will also air live on Channel 10, as well as Channel 9. Channel 10’s broadcast will feature a tribute to the Logie-winning entertainer beforehand in a special edition of Studio 10

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. 

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

Loss: Bert (right) 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