Derryn Hinch’s alleged fling with an iconic Hollywood star has been exposed by one of the late Aussie’s close pals.
Hinch – known as the “Human Headline” – died on Friday, July 10, aged 82.
He was laid to rest in a ceremony in Melbourne earlier this week, where his former colleague, Tony Tardio, shared one last bombshell about the late radio star.
Mr Tardio claimed to attendees that Hinch had secretly enjoyed a brief romantic affair with Hollywood icon Bette Midler when they met 53 years ago.
“The only thing history owes the dead is the truth,” Mr Tardio said, before making the wild allegation.
“Derryn and Bette Midler engaged in a bit of horizontal romper after that interview. And that is the truth.”
The crowd reportedly responded with laughter.
He went on to add that the broadcaster and politician was a “journalistic James Bond”.
“Drama followed him everywhere,” he said. “It’s been a life privilege to call you a friend”.
Meanwhile, Hinch’s ex, Jacki Weaver, broke her silence over his death earlier this week.
Weaver, who was Hinch’s third wife between 1983 and 1998, revealed she was still in contact with her ex-husband before his death.
MORE: Derryn Hinch dead at 82
“He texted me the night that he died,” she said via a video link to the funeral.
With tears in her eyes, the actor said she would love Hinch “forever”.
“Goodbye. I love you, I have loved you from the very start to the very end.
“Good Night, sweet dreams. Good Night. I love you.”
The actor, who was unable to attend the funeral due to scheduling issues, read a letter from her son, Dylan.
In the letter, he said he could not recall where the actor met Hinch.
“But I do recall that mum’s first impression of Derryn was, ‘bumptious’, she said”.
“That became a running joke throughout their marriage.”
Weaver said one of the most “humble moments” Hinch spent with her son was before his transplant.
“He and I were discussing his drinking and what it had led to. Inspired by the clarity of sobriety, his epiphany to me was simply ‘I was a f**king idiot’,” she said.
Among the famous mourners at the star’s state funeral was singer and dancer Rhonda Burchmore, talk show host and comedian Steve Vizard, Perfect Match host Greg Evans and singer and 3AW colleague Denis Walter.