Speaking about his long-time collaborator, Graham Kennedy, Newton joked about how he worked with talent behind closed doors.

"Graham Kennedy was always the sort of man who nurtured young talent. He enjoyed giving young people a chance on television, he was a great mentor, he mentored a lot of young people," the veteran Australian entertainer told the awards night.

"You knew if you went to his dressing room it was locked, he will be inside doing some mentoring. Don Lane was a mentor too."

Newton was asked to clarify his remarks in the media room where he was pressed on what exactly he meant in the current climate, considering what has been exposed in the #metoo movement.

"I was just referring to the fact that it was totally innocent as far as I'm concerned. But in fairness these days everything is jumped on but I'm not that sort of person I don't mean anything untoward," he said.

Newton was presenting the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding Newcomer at the 60th Logie Awards on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.

His comments raised eyebrows on social media, with TV commentator Andrew Mercado tweeting: "I suspect that is going to be Bert's last ever appearance at the #Logies.

"He will always be a legend. But that was just sad tonight."

Another Twitter user, Steven George, said Newton's performance "was like one of those awkward wedding speeches where you snatch the mic off the best man".

Australian Associated Press