Bert Newton back at work for Grease musical after heart scare

Bert Newton with the cast of Grease. Picture: Annette Dew Source: News Limited

 

News Limited Network reports

A rejuvenated Bert Newton has bounced back from heart surgery to embark on a gruelling national tour in the Grease musical.

The 75-year-old TV legend underwent a quadruple heart bypass in Melbourne in November 2012 after complaining of chest pains.

After six months of rehab at home, Newton is now back in the spotlight, playing Vince Fontaine in the Australian tour of the hit musical.

Keeping up with the young cast has been an inspiration to him, he told Fairfax newspapers.

"The average age of the cast in the show, if you take me out of it, is about 22. The energy and excitement is quite contagious," he said.

"I like people of my vintage but it's important to have a few young people around you too. And that's why I'm liking this show."

Newton started his career as a 15-year-old junior announcer on Melbourne radio station 3XY and began his association with the Nine Network in 1959, striking up a partnership with Graham Kennedy on In Melbourne Tonight.

He has been a fixture of Australian television and stage ever since.

Newton said he cherished the early years of his career and is glad he is not entering show business today.

"The sort of television I did with Graham (Kennedy) and Don (Lane) is not around anymore, because there's not much live television. I miss doing that sort of thing.

"I'm just happy I'm not a young person coming into the industry now. I think it was easier at the start because we all learned together, even the audience."

Newton has four gold Logies and was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame in 1988.

* Grease had its Australian premiere in Brisbane tonight, before moving to Sydney and Melbourne.

Rob 'Millsy' Mills is our number one musical man

Rob Mills and Gretel Scarlett will star in the new production of the musical GREASE. Picture: Damian Shaw Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

There is officially only one male performer in the Australian theatre industry.

Following lead roles in Wicked and Legally Blonde: The Musical, Rob Mills walked into the last day of auditions for Grease and walked out with a new name - Danny Zuko.

As the cast for much-loved multimillion-dollar production was confirmed yesterday, the Australian Idol alumnus said he only got the part two weeks ago after appearing in a previous, smaller rendition of the show and had always wanted to be the T-Birds captain. "I don't think I'm a cool guy, but I really wanted the jacket," he said. "I had a sparkly number, but I just really wanted to be a T-Bird. I met some incredible people on that tour. That's when I fell in love with the musical theatre community.

"They opened their arms to me and gave me a big hug and I haven't let go since."

Mills joins an eclectic line-up that includes newcomer Gretel Scarlett as Sandy and seasoned performers Bert Newton, Todd McKenney and Anthony Callea .

Grease is expected to run for at least six months and will open in Brisbane in August.

Wicked! Bert Newton's back on stage

Bert Newton speaks to a Channel 9 TV crew after he was discharged from a hospital in Singapore. Picture: Joseph Nair Source: Herald Sun

Alice Coster, The Herald Sun, reports

Bert Newton is out of hospital, with Moonface back to his smiling self.

The hard-working Australian TV legend will return to the Wicked! stage in Singapore tomorrow, after being admitted to hospital last week with a health scare.

Wicked! spokeswoman Amanda Osborne yesterday said the 73-year-old was back to his old self and keen to return to work.

"He is absolutely back on track," she said.

Speculation was rife the TV stalwart had suffered a heart malfunction, with devoted wife Patti making a mad dash from the Celebrity Apprentice set to be by his side in Singapore on Friday.

It is understood Newton was suffering from a "heavy cold", which hit many of the stage production's cast and crew, and had surgery to clear fluid from his lungs.

"Bert Newton has not had a heart attack or emergency heart surgery in Singapore," Ms Osborne said.

"He has had a very heavy cold, which caused him some minor complications and a short stint in hospital.

She said Newton was admitted to hospital last week and was rested from performing as a precaution after a bout of pneumonia last June.

"Due to a bout of debilitating pneumonia last year, Newton has to be extra cautious."