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Matthew Newton speaks out

Actor Matthew Newton has given his first interview since his highly publicised stint in a mental health clinic.

Speaking on radio this morning at Sydney's 2DayFM studios with Kyle and Jackie O, Newton denied claims he had fallen out with his parents, Bert and Patti Newton, after they contributed to an A Current Affair interview about his mental illness.

"The only distance between my family and myself is a thousand kilometres. I live in Sydney and they live in Melbourne." said Newton in response to questions about an alleged rift in the family.

Newton says Bert and Patti were crucial to his recovery.

Discussing his time spent in a Sydney clinic Newton said, "The people at Northside West ahhh, you know really saved my life."

The interview confirmed that Newton was admitted into the Northside West 'mood unit' and not in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as previously reported.

"I was kind of all over the place." said Newton.

"I was you know, I suppose a bit of a lost soul in a lot of ways, and I didn't want to face that." he continued.

Criticism claiming Kyle and Jackie O failed to ask Newton the tough questions have surfaced since the interview this morning.

Earlier this year Matthew Newton faced court over charges of an apprehended violence order breach in relation to former girlfriend actress Rachael Taylor. Reports claimed Newton bombarded Taylor with calls and texts in the hope of a reunion.

Allegations that Newton had abused Taylor while the couple holidayed in Rome cut his X-Factor host gig short in 2010.

The timing of Newton's radio interview has also been questioned as the star begins promoting his new project. Titled Face to Face, it's a film about workplace bullying, Newton plays a mediator who counsels others.