Patti Newton has surprised many when it was announced she was stripping off on The All New Monty, but Newton says that raising money for a good cause was a "necessity".

Newton is taking the opportunity to increase awareness of breast cancer and urging young girls to take preventative measures.

"Bert's sister Alice was diagnosed with breast cancer the year we got married and passed away the next year and it was devastating for him," she says.

"So my performance is dedicated to the beautiful Alice Newton."

Newton has said that she's not nervous at all about getting naked in front of the nation.

"While everything's not like it used to be – the knees give up, the ankles give up – I'm doing OK!" she explained with a laugh. 

"I think I'm pretty lucky. A bulge here and a bit of a crinkle in the side of my hips I can cope with.

"It's not actually who I am. I am somebody who loves life and while I may not enjoy the very last moment of getting naked, this is a good thing to do."

She also has the support of her husband, Bert, who initially thought Patti wouldn't be on board.

"I think when I first told [Bert] he thought I'd say no," Patti told New Idea.

However, Newton has decided to take the opportunity to raise awareness of breast cancer and is urging people to get checked.