Tributes are flowing across social media for Australian cricketer Shane Warne, who passed away suddenly overnight on March 5 while away in Thailand with friends.
WATCH: Shane Warne speaks with The Morning Show
The news has rocked Australia and the world Saturday morning, as tributes begin to flow from devastated fans, friends and fellow celebrities.
While local Aussie stars like Jimmy Barnes and Dannii Minogue have shared their sadness and condolences, the likes of Boris Johnson, Ed Sheeran and Mick Jagger have also paid tribute to the beloved larrikin cricketer.
Read their loving tributes below.
Dr Chris Brown
In a chat with Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa, Dr Chris Brown opened up about his time in the jungle with Shane during I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
“I think everyone that was around him on the show just was drawn in and there’s an aura around Warnie, but also it just so incredibly likable and I think the spider… Yeah, I don’t know how we managed to get that across the line or how that actually happened given his extreme phobia, but it was kind of the first time I think any of us had seen a very, very vulnerable, Warnie with the twinkle out of the eye for the first time.
“And that vulnerability. It really drew people in it made people go oh my god, he is human and he is he has the fragilities that had that we all have. But he’d spent so much time in the jungle rallying around everyone else and entertaining everyone else that when his moment of fragility came everyone rushed back into it to help him and it was…”
Michael Clarke
Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke broke down on live television over the death of his best friend Shane.
“Yeah, it will be hard. It will be hard,” he said on Today.
“You know, I see they have named a stand after him, which he definitely deserves. I’m sure he will get the send off that he deserves. I don’t think I will ever say goodbye.”
Adam Gilchrist
Former cricketer Adam Gilchrist appeared on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa to talk about losing Shane, and how playing with him was the highlight of his career.
“I’m like everyone, a bit numb,” he said when asked how he was doing after hearing the news. “You just don’t believe it, larger than life characters.”
He then added that Shane was “fiercely loyal” as well as “brilliant, generous, stunning.”
“People unfortunately, that didn’t know him really well wouldn’t understand how generous he was. But the highlight of my cricketing career was just the…. We get him to sit behind the stamps on the heels and we exclusively kept that from the rest of the world and 20 years and how fortunate we are to sit and watch the maestro at work.”
Stephen Milne
AFL player Stephen Milne also opened up on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa about his friend, saying “Warnie was just absolute legend and even a better bloke when you meet him.”
“Warnie was a special person every time he spoke, you just listened. And it was just always something happening,” he said.
“There was no boring stuff about morning everything that he spoke he listened, he laughed, he loved a good time he got right into it, that competitive love the gym loved a good time and love the St’s and that’s kind of how I got to know him and still a bit surreal at the moment.”
Elizabeth Hurley
Though their romance came to an end in 2013, the same year they got engaged, Liz only had kind words for her former flame.
She wrote on Instagram: “I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart.”
Magda Szubanski
The TV star, who worked with Shane for his guest appearance on Kath And Kim, wrote that she was in “utter shock” after getting the news in the middle of the night. She said on Instagram: “Inconceivable that a life crammed with so much genius and larrikin charm could be snuffed out so suddenly and so soon.”
She recalled filming with him and said the cricketer was “a great sport” and “we had loads of fun” before turning her attention to his family: “Mostly I remember how he spoke with such great love and pride of his beautiful kids. This is a shocking loss for our nation and for the cricketing world.
“But right now my heart is with his family and his friends – and most especially with his beautiful children Jackson Summer and Brooke whom he loved so very very much. RIP Warnie.”
Jimmy Barnes
From one Aussie legend to another, Jimmy Barnes shared a tweet in tribute to Shane Saturday morning.
“Shane Warne was a champion. One of a kind. Every time he touched a ball, Australia had a chance,” he wrote.
“But I remember him as the guy who met my son Jackie once when Jackie was very young. Three years later he still remembered his name and made him feel special.
“RIP Warnie.”
Ed Sheeran
British singing sensation Ed Sheeran took to Instagram to celebrate the beloved cricketer, sharing a snap of Shane alongside Michael Gudinski, a giant of the Australian music industry who passed away last year.
“The world keeps taking incredible people away. I spoke to Shane on the anniversary of Michael’s passing this week saying we were both raising a glass of 707 in his honour, and now this news comes out,” Ed wrote.
“Shane was the kindest heart, and always went above and beyond to make people feel welcome and special. Such a gentleman. He gave so many hours and years of his life to bring joy to others, and was such an amazing friend to me,” he shared.
“I’ll bloody miss you mate. Absolutely gutted.”
Danni Minogue
Danni posted a grinning photo of herself and Shane to Twitter, sharing her love with his family, and revealed the cute nickname Shane had for her.
“I am devastated to wake up to the news that Shane Warne has passed. My heart breaks for his family and friends. He was such a light and energy in the room. He was always lovely to my whole family,” she penned.
“He knew that I didn’t have a clue about cricket, but he liked that. To me, he was just Shane. I can still hear him say, ‘Hey Disco, how are you?’.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Australia’s Prime Minister has taken to Twitter with a kind, heartfelt message, touching on the shocking nature of the death. The PM also offered a state funeral for the cricketing great.
“Australians have woken in shock and sadness to the awful news of the death of Shane Warne, aged just 52,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Shane was one of our greatest cricketers of all time, one of only a few that could approach the extraordinary achievements of the great Don Bradman.
“Australians loved him. We all did. We are all bewildered today by this sad and sudden losss.
“There was none like Shane. He lived his life his way. He had his great achievements, but also his regrets. He carried them all the same way. With a cheeky smile and a zest for life.”
Hugh Jackman
“Like you all I am in shock to wake to the news that @ShaneWarne had passed away,” Hugh took to Twitter to write.
“I’m grateful to have known him, and to have witnessed his once in a generation talent. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and close friends at this incredibly difficult time.
“Rest well Shane,” he wrote, sharing a snap of the pair grinning, decked out in cricket whites.
Boris Johnson
The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also shared his condolences for the country at the loss of Shane.
“Totally shocked and saddened to hear about Shane Warne – a cricketing genius and one of the nicest guys you could meet, who also did a lot to help disadvantaged kids into sport,” he shared.
Mick Jagger
International superstar and former leading man of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger was another British celeb to share his love for Shane on social media.
“I’m so saddened by the sudden death of Shane Warne. He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever,” he said simply.
Andy Lee
Andy was deeply moved by the death of Shane, whom he referred to as a friend.
“I’m lying in bed having just heard the news that a legend and friend has passed,” Andy wrote on Twitter.
“He opened so many doors for me to the sport I loved and we shared a lot of yarns playing another sport we both loved.
“Forever grateful! You’ll be missed.”
Russell Crowe
Fellow Aussie legend and beloved actor Russell Crowe was also quick to share his love for his lost friend.
“S.K. Warne,” he penned.
“Woke this morning to the devastating news. Having a hard time accepting it.
“Genius player. Grand company. Loyal friend,” he wrote.
Leigh Sales
Journalist Leigh Sales took to Instagram to pen a wordy and kind tribute to Shane, admitting she had huge admiration for him.
“When I started at 7.30 in 2011, one person was at the top of my interview wishlist: Warnie,” she recalled.
“He was a genius and historically important cricketer but also something that’s increasingly rare: a true and original character who was unapologetic about who he was. I couldn’t understand why he had never been interviewed with the respect all of that deserved and I really wanted to do it,” she shared.
“It took 7 years to make it happen … I opened by saying “Nice to meet you Shane” and he replied “Nice to be met” and from that moment, I knew he would be gold. And he was – smart, charming, interesting, vulnerable, honest.
“Vale Warnie, the country will be less bright and interesting without you, and condolences to his family & friends.”
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Brendan Fevola
Fellow sporting legend and Shane’s close friend Brendan Fevola also shared his feelings on social media the morning the news broke.
“Words can’t express how I’m feeling right now. You were a true champion, a loyal friend but most of all an amazing Dad,” he wrote.
“You’ve left a huge hole in everyone’s hearts, RIP KING.”
Brendan also tagged Shane’s children, and said he was “sending love”.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, WHO.
For more on the life and legacy of Shane Warne, read the articles below
Despite his legendary cricket career, Shane Warne’s greatest achievements was his kids
Inside Jackson Warne’s close relationship with his father Shane
From Simone Callahan to Liz Hurley: Shane Warne’s love life was complicated but rewarding
How did Shane Warne die? All we know so far
1Everything we know so far about Shane Warne’s state funeral
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