Australian TV personality Bert Newton has leg amputated after infection

TV legend Bert Newton has needed a leg amputation because of a life-threatening infection.

The 82-year-old had the surgery in Melbourne on Saturday.

Newton is believed to have been in hospital for the past six weeks, after a toe infection over Christmas failed to heal.

Radio entertainment reporter Peter Ford broke the news on Monday morning after receiving a call from Patti Newton on Sunday night.

Patti and Bert Newton in 2019. Photograph: Sam Tabone/Getty Images

“Bert was given the ultimatum, you only have a couple of months to live but if you have this operation and we amputate your leg you could have many years ahead,” he told 3AW.

“So that was the choice and Bert clearly chose to stick around, because he adores Patti, obviously he adores the children, he adores the grandchildren.”

He said Bert Newton is in “reasonably good spirits”, and his leg has been amputated below the knee.

A series of specialist doctors and vascular surgeons had investigated the worsening infection, although it had not seemed too serious when it began around Christmas.

In a horror run of health conditions for the popular showbiz couple, Patti Newton is also recovering from a broken ankle after a fall.

Her management says she will not be making any further comments at this stage.

Newton has battled several health issues in the past, including hospitalisation with pneumonia in 2017.

He also underwent quadruple bypass surgery the following year.