Last night on A Current Affair, Bert and Patti Newton talked to Tracey Grimshaw about Matthew’s drug addiction and mental illness. The full 30 minute interview can be seen on the A Current Affair website here.
When Channel 7 announced Matthew Newton as the new host of their biggest show of the year, X Factor, immediately after he left rehab, I expressed some surprise and some disappointment. Today, less than a week before the show’s premiere, Matthew Newton has been sacked from that job, admitted himself back to rehab and his fiance has taken out an AVO after he allegedly assaulted her a number of times in Australia and overseas.
MATT Newton’s former girlfriend Rachael Taylor has applied for an apprehended violence order against the Channel 7 star, alleging she was the victim of “two unprovoked violent assaults.’ <!–
Ms Taylor alleges that “This action follows a series of gravely serious incidents, including and not limited to two unprovoked violent assaults, which (she claims) occurred on the 13th and 14th August, 2010, while Ms Taylor was in Rome.
It is understood she sustained serious injuries consistent with blows to the face and body after a public altercation between the couple in the foyer of a hotel. Sources claim police were called to the scene, but no charges were laid.
I’ve written about Matthew Newton several times here on Mamamia. Ever since the incident with his former girlfriend Brooke Satchell when he was charged with assaulting her, I have believed he is a troubled individual who should not be working in the entertainment industry until he seeks treatment for his issues. And acting is one thing but a TV host? I always thought that was a mistake.
When Channel 7 gave him the plum job as host of it’s huge new family show X-Factor, I published a piece with full permission by TV writer Andrew Mercado who wrote:
It’s such a shame because Seven is one of the nicest networks to watch and work with. But decisions like this make me feel ill at the double standards. I’m not suggesting that Matthew Newton never work in the industry again. He’s admitted to his mistakes and done something about it.He has proved himself to be a successful actor, director and scriptwriter, particularly with his movie Three Blind Mice. Give him a job on City Homicide (although I’d prefer Seven first hire some of the cast of Hey Dad to prove there’s no hard feelings) . It’s all about timing and is Newton the most suitable choice to host an inspirational talent show for impressionable viewers or the best at getting publicity – good, bad or ugly. “
At the time, I strongly agreed. I think it was irresponsible of Channel 7 to hire someone who was, by their own admission, struggling with addiction mere days after he had completed a few weeks in rehab. Anyone with any knowledge of addiction understands that recovery and treatment is a long and complicated process. There are set-backs. And those who are newly ‘clean’ after a period of treatment are (to my understanding), advised to avoid situations of high stress that could see them relapse.
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I agree with Tracey Spicer and Andrew Bolt re the whole sad Matthew Newton saga. The poor man is very very sick - healthy stable minded people do not punch women to the ground - and yet his parents only have one thing on their minds - protecting Berts career and reputation, which has obviously been their prime focus for Matthew's entire life. They even admitted that Matthew would not be happy with them appearing on TV. Perhaps Australia, they are the source of all his problems..hhhhmmm????