TV host Bert Newton faces anger after using homophobic slur at Logie Awards
Australian TV hostĀ Bert Newton is under fire after using a homophobic slur at theĀ Logie Awards.
The 79-year-old TV host was on stage at the award to present the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent, named in honour of his late former collaborator.
But Newton attracted anger for some of the off-colour remarks at theĀ Logie Awards ceremony, an annual entertainment awards show which wasĀ held at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland, and broadcast live on the Nine Network.
Newton quipped: “Most people are wondering who this old poof up on stage is.ā
He also made comments aboutĀ Kennedy that riled the #MeToo movement.
Newton said: “Speaking of young talent, Graham Kennedy was always the sort of man who nurtured young talent.
“He enjoyed giving young people a chance on television, he was a great mentor, he mentored a lot of young people.
“You knew if you went to his dressing room and it was locked, he would be inside doing some mentoring.”
Newton, who hasĀ who has two children with wife Patti McGrath Newton, has faced anger over both remarks.
He later insisted he did not intend to use homophobic language.
He clarified of his alleged casting couch remarks: “I was just referring to the fact that it was totally innocent as far as I’m concerned.
“In fairness these days everything is jumped on but I’m not that sort of person I don’t mean anything untoward.”
His remarks were compared on Twitter toĀ “one of those awkward wedding speeches where you snatch the mic off the best man.”
Others branded the remarks homophobic.
NeighboursĀ recently confirmed it would holdĀ Australian TV’s first ever same-sex wedding.
On May 18, the country’s longest-running drama, which has been on our screens for 33 years,Ā featured a gay proposalĀ when long-term partners Aaron Brennan and David Tanaka both popped the question to each other.
The showĀ has confirmed that Aaron and David’s marriage ceremony will take place on September 3.
Jason Herbison, executive producer of Neighbours, said: āThis is a story that we have been working on for a long time, and during that time, our country was trapped in a divisive referendum.
“Would our story about love and equality even be legal by the time it aired?
“Thankfully love won and weāre very excited for viewers to see this iconic moment come to life on screen.”