Patti Newton has revealed her and beloved husband Bert are set to be grandparents for the fifth time, just days after the Aussie legend is said to have suffered a pneumonia scare before his appearance at the TV Week Logie Awards.
The 79-year-old entertainer appeared on stage to present an award, and divided viewers with a controversial speech. He looked to be in good spirits as he addressed the crowd.
However, he was actually recovering from a recent health scare, the Herald Sun reports. Bert was admitted to the Epworth hospital in Melbourne just days before the ceremony, over concerns he may have had pneumonia. He was eventually discharged on the Friday before the awards.
Patti, 73, appeared to confirm the report as she shared a screenshot on Instagram, before taking the opportunity to confirm the couple’s happiness as they are set to welcome their fifth grandchild.
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She wrote: “Lauren and Matt are expecting their 5th child in December. We are all just so excited especially the kids. How lucky are we, can’t wait xx.”
Lauren and her former swimmer husband Matt Welsh already share sons Sam, 10, and Monty, two, as well as daughters Eva, nine, and Lola, six. Patti regularly shares videos and pictures of the kids with Bert at home, and they were a major support throughout his past hospital stays.
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He’s now preparing to celebrate his 80th birthday, and speaking to the Mail Online, he said: “We’re just going to get the grandkids together with my daughter and her husband and we’re going to have a birthday party.”
Meanwhile, Bert was recently forced to apologise for his controversial comments at the Logies, after dividing audiences with a speech he made when he took to the stage to present an award. He referred to himself as an “old poof” and made jokes many thought were offensive to the late Graham Kennedy.
Newton addressed the comments speaking to reporters at Melbourne Airport recently, 9News reported.
“Well, I thought it went very well until after the show when I looked at comments on social media,” he said. “I never set out to offend anybody, and I think it’s well known in the industry that I don’t prepare material… I just go for it.
“If I did offend anyone, I apologise. But I can’t promise I wouldn’t do it again.”
The 79-year-old defended his use of the term “old poof”, and said he has supported the gay community throughout his career. “It was never meant in any sexual way,” he said, adding his use of the phrase shows he’s not “one of the newbies”.
The veteran’s wife, Patti, said she thought he had done “wonderfully”. “Social media is social media. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not,” she said.