Bert Newton says he is just suffering from a bad cold and has denied reports that he has had emergency heart surgery in Singapore where he is performing in the musical Wicked.
Newton, who was hospitalised with pneumonia last year, says media reports that claim that he has had a stent inserted in his heart are not true.
A Channel Nine spokesman said he spoke with the 73-year-old television and stage veteran on Friday and he did sound like he had a heavy cold.
"He has been forced to take a couple of days from Wicked in Singapore and is resting and taking it easy," the spokesman said.
Newton issued a statement that stated he has been to the hospital over the cold as a precaution because of his recent bout of pneumonia.
"I'll be back fighting fit if not at the weekend. I'll be on stage by Tuesday," Newton said.
"Because of the fact I had pneumonia last June, I need to be extra careful when a cold strikes to ensure it doesn't become anything more serious."
Newton's family remain in Australia while he is performing in the popular stage musical in Singapore.
His wife Patti is currently filming the latest series of Celebrity Apprentice in Sydney where son Matthew also lives, while daughter Lauren is with her family in Melbourne.
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