Matthew Newton: 'I don't blame my parents for my downfall'

Matthew Newton has insisted that he doesn't blame his parents for his downfall.

The Australian actor, whose parents are television personalities Bert and Patti Newton, said that he doesn't want people to judge them for him receiving psychiatric treatment or for his attacks on ex-girlfriends Rachael Taylor and Brooke Satchwell.

In a tell-all interview with A Current Affair's Tracy Grimshaw, Matthew admitted that he did struggle with a childhood in the public eye, but added: "It hasn't contributed to my illness. We're just a family. We have a great relationship."

Matthew said that he "wasn't thrilled" when Bert and Patti decided to speak publicly about their son shortly after he entered rehab. However, he said: "I completely understand now... I've caused them a lot of embarrassment and pain."

In response to Patti describing him in the clinic as the "saddest person [she'd] ever seen", Matthew said: "I was terribly sad, devastated, broken."

When asked if he was remorseful for his behaviour, Matthew told Grimshaw: "Of course I'm sorry. It's shameful and my biggest mistake was not knowing that I needed treatment sooner than I did. I'm very grateful to the people that forced me to get that treatment. It saved my life."

A friend of the Underbelly star revealed earlier this year: "Poor Matthew was born into a family he doesn't want to be a part of. He doesn't want to be a Newton," while another said: "I have always felt sorry for him because of the pressure of being Bert's son."