Patricia Anne Newton AM (née McGrath; born 4 February 1945) is an Australian singer, actress, dancer, stage performer and radio and television presenter.

Patti Newton
Patti Newton in 2022
Born
Patricia Anne McGrath

(1945-02-04) 4 February 1945 (age 79)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
  • dancer
  • stage performer
  • radio and television personality
Years active1964−present
Spouse
(m. 1974; died 2021)
Children2; including Matthew

Life and career

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Prior to her marriage, Newton worked under her birth name, Patti McGrath, when she appeared on programs such as the Tarax Show and The Graham Kennedy Show. In 1967, she won the Logie Award for Most Popular Female in Victoria.[1] She has appeared in many stage shows, and has made television appearances on Good Morning Australia and the Logie Awards.

Newton was married to fellow Australian entertainer Bert Newton from 9 November 1974 until his death on 30 October 2021. She often appeared with him and Bert Newton sometimes referred to her as "Patricia Anne Therese Bernadette McGrath Newton". She is the mother of Lauren and Matthew Newton.

Newton is a regular on 3AW's Nightline program with Philip Brady and Simon Owens, Monday nights from 10.15 pm – 11.00 pm AEST.

In 2007, Newton was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and Deal or No Deal.

Her first grandchild was born to daughter Lauren on 19 January 2008 and her sixth grandchild was born in 2019.

On 16 May 2008, Newton was robbed at Chadstone Shopping Centre, in suburban Melbourne, while she was at a café. A bag containing a diary, cash, and jewellery inherited from her mother was stolen.[2] Some of the items were recovered days later, and two people were later charged over the theft.[3] In 2018, she appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?

In 2012, Newton was one of the 12 celebrities to take part in season two of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia. She was "fired" after task 5, which involved the team on which she was part (Team Fortune) taking part in a semi-nude publicity stunt for the We Care charity. She effectively chose to leave when she requested to be the one who was fired.

Newton made a guest appearance in Neighbours as Valerie Grundy on 21 December 2018.[4]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
The Bert & Patti Family Album
(with Bert Newton)
  • Released: 1977
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Pisces Records (L 27027)

Filmography

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Actress

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Year Title Role
1957 The Tarax Show (TV series) billed as Patti McGrath
1970 Hans Christian Andersen (TV movie) The Shepherdess
1972 The Graham Kennedy Show" (TV series) herself
1989 Sugar and Spice (TV series) Freddo's Mother
2013 The Wiggles: Go Santa Go! (video) Mrs. Claus
2018 Neighbours (TV series) Valerie Grundy
 
Patti Newton with son-in-law Matt Welsh at Carols By Candlelight in 2008
 
Patti with daughter Lauren at Logie Awards

Showbiz appearances

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Year Title Role
1957 Swallow's Juniors (TV series) herself as Patti McGrath
1966 Bandstand (TV series) herself as singer (as Patti McGrath)
1969–1970 In Melbourne Tonight (IMT) herself as Patti McGrath
1974 Ted Hamilton's Musical World (TV series) herself
1974–1975 The Graham Kennedy Show (TV series) herself
1974–1975 The Ernie Sigley Show (TV series) herself
1975 Celebrity Squares (TV series) herself as celebrity contestant
1981 The James Pegler Show (TV series) herself as guest
1981 Ford Superquiz (TV series) herself as host
2005 Australia Unites: Reach Out to Asia (TV movie) herself
2004–2005 Good Morning Australia (TV series) herself/performer
2006 Postcards (TV series) herself as celebrity guest
2006 Lou Dobbs Tonight (TV series) guest
2006 20 to 1 (TV series documentary) herself as commentary
2007 The 2007 TV Week Logie Awards (TV special) herself
2006–2007 Berts Family Feud (TV series) as celebrity model/audience membera
2007 Deal or No Deal (TV series) herself
2007 Dancing with the Stars (TV series) herself as celebrity contestant
2009 Australia Unites: The Victorian Bushfire Appeal appears as herself
2009 Shaun Micallef's New Year's Rave (TV series) herself
2010 Spicks and Specks (TV series) celebrity contestant
2010 Talkin' Bout Your Generation (TV series) guest
2012 The Celebrity Apprentice Australia (TV series) herself team fortune

References

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  1. ^ TV Week 1967 Logie Awards Archived 31 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Patti Newton warns others after bag theft
  3. ^ Patti grateful as handbag contents returned – theage.com.au
  4. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (10 December 2018). "Neighbours shares first look at death storyline as Valerie Grundy is revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
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