Television icon Bert Newton will be officially farewelled today with a state funeral at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.

The much-loved performer, known as Moonface, passed away on October 30, following a long health battle.

With Victorian COVID-19 restrictions limiting attendance to 500 people, the service for the four-time Gold Logie winner today is limited to close family and friends.

The service, which begins at 10am local time and 7am AWST, will be televised on free to air TV and live streamed.

Eddie McGuire will perform the eulogy, and Anthony Callea and Silvie Palladino will perform at the service.

Entertainment guru Pete Ford, a long-time friend and former producer of Newton, said “we’re in for something very nice”.

“(Bert’s widow) Patti has made some beautiful choices,” he told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast.

“I think that the music, and the performers and Eddie McGuire doing the eulogy – which I think is just great.

“It won’t be a laugh a minute but I think it will be a beautiful send off.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the service and the much-loved TV performer

Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images