Newton, 72, left the Epworth Hospital yesterday and will spend about a week at his Melbourne home with wife Patti before flying back to Perth to resume his role in the stage musical Wicked.

The star of Australian screen and stage for more than 50 years said doctors had told him he would be ''100 per cent'' if he followed their advice.

But he's itching to get back to work. ''I'm much better today than I was two weeks ago,'' he said.

''The time spent here has been so worthwhile and I'm looking forward to getting back to work - I'm not a very happy person when I'm not working.''

It was believed Newton contracted viral pneumonia from his infant granddaughter, Eva, but he says that won't stop him giving her plenty of cuddles.

''I still feel that the pneumonia had been coming along for a little while because I felt a bit out of sorts,'' he said.

''What I'd pre-diagnosed for myself was pretty close to it … just a little more serious.''