Patti Newton shares sad health update as she misses opening night of her new show Grease: The Musical

Patti Newton was struck by Covid as she was about to start her role in the Melbourne production of Grease: The Musical.

The showbiz icon shared the sad news with her fans on Sunday, posting on Instagram to show off her legs covered in a blanket.

'Happy New Year, I hope it will be a wonderful 2024. Covid has hit me, but I wish the cast of Grease a great first show. See you again soon,” she wrote.

Patti renewed her showbiz career as a way to cope with the loss of her beloved husband Bert Newton, who passed away in October 2021 at the age of 83.

The 78-year-old cast herself in a leading role in the touring stage production of Mary Poppins before joining Grease.

Married to Bert for a whopping 47 years, Patti told the Herald Sun that making the hit musical was one of the “best things” she could do for herself as 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 will never stop thinking about him,” the artist said.

She then revealed some of the ways she has been keeping Bert's memory alive since he passed away on October 30, 2021 after a long illness.

'Happy New Year, I hope it will be a wonderful 2024. Covid has hit me, but I wish the cast of Grease a great first show. See you again soon,” she wrote

'When Bert was in Epworth Hospital he had this little wooden cross. A friend of mine gave it to him. Bert always took it off the tray and kissed it,” she said.

“He held it for a minute and then put it down. I take him to the theater and before a performance I pick him up and kiss him.

'Like him, I hold it to my heart and say: “Come on Bert, let's move on.” He's coming on stage with me.'

Patti renewed her showbiz career as a way to cope with the loss of her beloved husband Bert Newton, who passed away in October 2021 at the age of 83. Both in the photo