NEWTON FAMILY SHOCK: MATT’S NEW CRISIS!
Bert and Patti are reeling over the news their son Matthew has ended his latest engagement
They have endured ill health and bounced back from financial ruin, but the end of their famously troubled son Matthew’s engagement to a US socialite has “devastated” Bert and Patti Newton and left them extremely worried for him.
“It’s the worst possible news for Patti coming up to Christmas,” confirms one close friend, who says the showbiz matriarch is ready to pack her bags and fly to New York to comfort Matthew, amid fears he will sink back into depression.
“She was hoping for the best Christmas present of all – another grandchild. Both she and Bert were over the moon at the thought of becoming grandparents to a child of Matthew’s because they knew he was trying for a baby. Patti will be inconsolable.”
FEARS FOR MATTHEW
Just 12 months ago Bert, 79, and Patti, 72, were celebrating their 40-year-old son’s engagement to New York socialite Catherine Schneiderman after he presented her with an impressive diamond ring.
“I have always prayed for a happy ending, and I think it has arrived,” an excited Bert said at the time. “Patti and I are thrilled. We love him as a son, and this is the best thing we could hope for.”
But privately Patti aired her fears about Matthew “going off the rails” if the relationship didn’t work out – and it looks like her worst fears have unfortunately come true.
“She saw this relationship as being stability going forward for Matthew, which is exactly what she hoped and prayed for. She and Bert got to know her, even if they didn’t meet her in person, and found her incredibly refreshing,” our source says.
“The entire family saw this relationship as a salvation for Matthew because he had never previously had a serious girlfriend who wasn’t an actress or aspiring to be
in the h film fil industry. d Catherine Ch really ll was a breath of fresh air.”
But while Bert and Patti celebrated the union and were “keeping their fingers crossed” it all worked out, Catherine’s parents were initially less than impressed with their daughter’s choice of life partner.
Her father is New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a campaigner against domestic violence, who reportedly struggled to give the couple his blessing.
“I don’t think you have to be a genius to work out that someone with Matthew’s background wouldn’t have been his first choice as a husband for his daughter, and I know Matt had to work hard to win his trust,” our source says.
STARTING OVER
After two former partners – actresses Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor – accused him of assaulting them, Matthew left Australia four years ago publicly humiliated and shamed over his behaviour.
He went on to turn his life around in New York and appeared to have finally beaten his demons, even winning awards s in his new career as a writer and film director. But Bert and Patti have never stopped worrying about him.
“They live with the constant fear he may relapse, and news of the split will have ve them out of their minds with worry,” reveals our source. “They know marrying Catherine was the best thing ever ver for Matt.”
Notoriously private Matthew and Catherine, 24, have done their best to avoid the limelight, but rumours of trouble in paradise have dogged them, as Matthew stages a career comeback in New York and has refused to finalise a date for the wedding.
“He’s hesitant about the M word because se he’s had some girlfriends he’s been crazy about b in the h past, and df for various ous highly publicised reasons it hasn’t sn’t worked out. He was happy to let et things bubble along, but Catherine erine wanted him to commit a date.”
Bert and Patti fear this latest setback could bring all his hard work to o reform himself unstuck. “It’s their biggest gest fear
– that he could slip back into o his old lifestyle,” our source says.
Just seven weeks ago, the actor-turnedtor turned director – who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder – was spotted fleeing from a medical facility in New York, dodging traffic and behaving erratically.
“With their recent run of ill health, Bert and Patti haven’t been able to travel and were hoping to get to New York in the new year to finally meet Catherine in person. But it looks like it may just be Patti flying out to give Matthew some much needed support in his hour of need,” our source says.
“It’s really put a damper on the whole family on the eve of Christmas.”
‘News of the split will have them out of their minds with worry’