Actor Matthew Newton enters rehab

Actor Matthew Newton, son of showbiz golden couple Bert and Patti Newton, has entered a Melbourne rehabilitation hospital for an undisclosed personal problem.

The Herald Sun newspaper reported that Newton, 33, has been admitted to the unnamed private hospital in Melbourne's east which specialises in drug and alcohol issues.

He was admitted some time this month with the support of his parents and actress girlfriend Rachael Taylor.

We want what's best for Matthew and we are with him all the way, Bert Newton told the newspaper.

Family friend and spokeswoman Jillian Bowen said: Matthew is in hospital at the moment, but we do ask people to understand that this is a private time and we won't be discussing any details.

The news comes just before Bert makes a triumphant return as host of the annual TV Week Logie Awards in Melbourne on Sunday night.

Matthew Newton won acclaim last year for his role as Terry 'Mr Asia' Clark in the second series of the Underbelly franchise, A Tale of Two Cities.

Most recently, he worked on feature film Face To Face with Sigrid Thornton and Vince Colosimo.

Newton attracted headlines last year when a hotel room he stayed in was allegedly trashed.

In 2007, he pleaded guilty to assaulting his then girlfriend Brooke Satchwell. He was given a 12-month good behaviour bond before the conviction was later overturned.

jc