Patti Newton has been struck down with Covid right as she was about to start her run in the Melbourne production of Grease: The Musical.
The showbiz icon shared the sad news with her fans on Sunday, posting to Instagram to show her legs covered in a blanket.
‘Happy New Year hope it’s a wonderful 2024. Covid has hit me but wishing the cast of Grease an amazing first show. See you back there soon’ she wrote.
Patti renewed her showbiz career as a way to cope with the loss of her beloved husband Bert Newton, who died in October 2021 at the age of 83.
The 78-year-old says threw herself into a featured role in the touring stage production of Mary Poppins before joining Grease.
Patti Newton (pictured) has been struck down with Covid right as she was about to start her run in the Melbourne production of Grease: The Musical
Married to Bert for a staggering 47 years, Patti told the Herald Sun that doing the hit musical was one of ‘best things’ she could do for herself, because it helped her heal.
She said her late husband Bert will always be her one true love and she is still haunted by his death in 2021.
‘Bert will always be the love of my life. I’ll never stop thinking about him,’ the performer said.
She then revealed some of the ways she keeps Bert’s memory alive since he passed away on October 30, 2021, following a long illness.
‘Happy New Year hope it’s a wonderful 2024. Covid has hit me but wishing the cast of Grease an amazing first show. See you back there soon’ she wrote
‘When Bert was in Epworth Hospital, he had this little wooden cross. A friend of mine had given it to him. Bert used to pick it up from the tray and kiss it,’ she said.
‘He’d hold it for a minute and then put it down. I take it to the theatre with me and before a show I pick it up and kiss it.
‘I hold it to my heart as he did and say, “Come on Bert, we’re on.” He comes on stage with me.’
Patti renewed her showbiz career as a way to cope with the loss of her beloved husband Bert Newton, who died in October 2021 at the age of 83. Both pictured