TV icon Bert Newton tells of his battle with pneumonia and thanks his wife Patti for nagging him into getting checked out

The thieves made away with Mrs Newton’s presents to her children, grandchildren and husband Bert — which included a jacket, pair of trousers and three shirts.

Mrs Newton only realised she’d been the latest victim in a series of robberies sweeping Melbourne last Thursday morning when she went to drive her car.

“I thought ‘gee my car is a bit messy, I never leave my car like that,’” she told 3AW.

“I looked around and realised my pass for 3AW had gone, my E-tag, sunglasses, perfume.

“Then I remembered ... I did all my shopping, wrapped it, put it in the boot, put them in bags and when I went to the boot there was nothing there.”

Patti and Bert Newton. Picture: Julie KiriacoudisSource:News Corp Australia

Mrs Newton said she had done all her shopping in one day, as she was appearing at Knox Christmas Carols tomorrow night, and wouldn’t have any other time to shop.

“Nobody was hurt, you’ve got to take the good with the bad I guess,” she said.

“You feel as though it’s awful that someone has been in your car and touched all your things.”

She said all her Christmas cards on the passenger seat had also been ripped open, assuming the thieves were looking for money.

This isn’t the first time Mrs Newton has been targeted by thieves.

In 2008, her handbag and valuable jewellery worth $150,000 was stolen at Chadstone shopping centre while she was at a cafe with daughter Lauren and grandson Sam.

kara.irving@news.com.au

@Kara_Irving

Originally published asBert and Patti robbed before Xmas