Bert Newton and Patti's marriage was a rare story of enduring love in the world of television - ABC News

Thousands of fans surrounded the church hoping to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom.

It was Melbourne's own Berti-mania as television personalities Bert Newton and Patti McGrath tied the knot in Camberwell on November 9, 1974.

Police had to hold the crowd back as the bridal party's car edged its way to the steps of the St Dominic’s Church.

There were gasps and whistles when the bride emerged in a traditional long-sleeved white gown.

In a symbol of their union, the lace on Bert's shirt matched the lace on Patti's dress.

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A surprise Australia Day engagement

Patti first met Bert on a radio talent show when he was 12 — just a few years before he became Australia's youngest professional broadcaster at age 15.

"We didn't take that much notice of each other when we first met as kids," Patti told The Australian Women's Weekly a month before the wedding.

"But I recall all the little girls on the radio talent show being in love with Bert."

Bert would go from strength-to-strength in his media career, cementing his celebrity in Australian television alongside Graham Kennedy on Channel Nine's In Melbourne Tonight (IMT) and later The Graham Kennedy Show.

Graeme Blundell, who wrote the 2014 unauthorised biography Bert, said Melbourne media were obsessed with the extraordinary love life of the young, sexy bachelor, known as "Mr Teeth" for his beaming smile.

Bert was briefly engaged to fellow TV star Susan-Gaye Anderson in 1962, and had an on-and-off-again relationship with model Joy Fountain.

He would eventually realise Patti was "the one" after she left Australia to perform overseas.

Patti and Bert Newton during their time on In Mebourne Tonight.(Instagram: Patti Newton)

Patti had started out in the theatre and claimed her own fame as the host on children's television program The Tarax Show, as well as featuring in sketches on IMT.

After being apart for 18 months, Bert decided to fly to America in secret and book a ticket onto the luxury liner, the Queen Elizabeth II, where Patti was singing.

He sent her a note after her performance and they rushed to find each other.

"I came running to see him but I couldn't find him, the ship was so big," she told Women's Weekly.

"Eventually we met on the deck. It was all very romantic as we ran towards each other. I kept saying: 'I can't believe you're really here'."

Bert proposed on Australia Day 1974 and the couple disembarked in New York to buy a ring.

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'It's been a wonderful life together'

The couple would have married overseas but decided to have a ceremony in Australia so their families could be there.

Any hopes of a small Catholic ceremony went out the window when the throngs of well-wishers descended upon the church.

It wasn't just the newlyweds fans were hoping to sneak a peak of — Bert's best man Graham Kennedy was a drawcard in his own right as one of the biggest names in television at the time.

The short service was conducted by Bert's childhood friend, Father Ray Deal, and the reception was held at the Southern Cross Hotel.

Bert and Patti had their first child Matthew Joseph (named after both their late fathers) at Melbourne's Mercy Hospital in January 22, 1977.

Their daughter Lauren Elise was born at the same hospital on March 25, 1979.

Patti and Bert with their young children, Matthew and Lauren.(Instagram: Patti Newton)

Together the couple endured both Bert's career in show business as well as his struggles with gambling addiction, which almost bankrupted them in 1993.

They also stood by Matthew during his own struggles with addiction and several allegations made against him of assaulting former girlfriends Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor.

Bert and Patti's union was a rare story of enduring love in the world of entertainment, which can be brutal when it comes to relationships.

But after more than 45 years of marriage, the pair were as in love as the day they said "I do".

Patti's Instagram feed is full of posts reflecting her long-lasting devotion to "the love  of my life".

Celebrating their wedding anniversary in 2019, she wrote: "It's been a wonderful life together, ups and downs and lots of laughs and happiness. Thank you for choosing me. Love you Mack."

Bert Newton and Patti were married for more than 45 years.(Instagram: Patti Newton)

And just six days before his death was announced, she posted a photo of Newton with their grandchildren crowded around his hospital bed.

"That's what happiness is," she wrote.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiVWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTEwLTMxL2JlcnQtbmV3dG9uLXBhdHRpLXdlZGRpbmctbG92ZS1zdG9yeS8xMDAxMzM5NTLSAShodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTAwMTMzOTUy?oc=5

2021-10-30 13:20:53Z
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