Newton & Taylor engaged in Rome before meltdown

A Current Affair tonight claimed that former X Factor host Matt Newton and Rachel Taylor became engaged in Rome before his ‘meltdown.’

Reporter Tom Steinfort tonight said Newton and Taylor were due to have their news published in New Idea but that after the turn of events between the couple the story was off.

He claims photos that were taken at the time have been withheld.

“Channel Seven as we hear it was potentially looking at still keeping Matthew Newton on as host. They brought him back to Australia quietly, checked him into a private hospital, all the while they were hatching a Plan B. Luke Jacobz was brought in to shoot some promos late last week in the event that he may have had to have taken over a host.

“In the end the network had their hand forced on that when Rachel Taylor revealed on Monday her version of events and also the fact that she had taken out this restraining order on Matthew Newton.”

A Seven spokesperson denied the claims by ACA saying, “The sequence of events isn’t as Nine claims. Matthew Newton withdrew on medical advice before any AVO from Rachael Taylor. Jacobz was approached late Sunday night and actually signed Monday afternoon. Promos were shot Monday afternoon.

“Nine’s swinging at shadows that don’t exist. We reject their claims. We appreciate seeing an X Factor and Seven logo on Nine.”

Steinfort says New Idea, which is part of Seven’s Pacific Magazines, will release a Special Edition tomorrow to “capitalise” on the interest in Matthew Newton, instead of the engagement story it had planned to publish timed with The X Factor launching.

ACA host Tracy Grimshaw told viewers she has spoken at length with Bert & Patti Newton and expects to bring an in-depth interview with them soon.

The X Factor begins on Monday with Newton edited out of the show and Jacobz in his place.