How Patti Newton did the paparazzi ‘out of business’ after Bert’s funeral

Patti Newton put the paparazzi “out of business” by organising a newspaper photographer to take pictures at Bert Newton’s grave last Friday, says showbiz reporter Peter Ford.

She invited Herald Sun photographer David Caird to capture the intensely personal ceremony reserved only for her immediate family and closest friends.

“That was done with Patti’s permission,” Ford explained on 3AW Breakfast.

“She had got word, I think very correctly, that there were going to be paparazzi turning up at Springvale cemetery and she decided to take a bit of affirmative action and got on the phone to the Herald Sun news desk.

“She spoke with photographer David Caird, who has a long-time association with them both, and she invited him to be there and do that.

“Obviously it’s a highly personal and painful moment, but she knew at least he would give it a level of dignity that the paparazzi wouldn’t do.

“They would choose the worst possible pictures and then write up some hideous story and sell it to a weekly magazine.

“Patti did them out of business!”

Press PLAY below to hear Peter Ford explain

(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)