Tributes are flowing across social media for Australian cricketer Shane Warne, who passed away suddenly on Friday, March 4 while away in Thailand with friends.
The news rocked Australia and the world, and tributes quickly began 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, Elton John and Mick Jagger have also paid tribute to the beloved larrikin cricketer.
Read their heartfelt tributes below.
Jimmy Barnes
From one Aussie legend to another, Jimmy Barnes shared a tweet in tribute to Shane this 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.”
Dannii Minogue
Dannii 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.
“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
“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 this morning 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.”
Brendan Fevola
Fellow sporting legend and Shane’s close friend Brendan Fevola also shared his feelings on social media this morning.
“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”.
Magda Szubanski
Magda took to Instagram to share her great sadness at the loss of Shane.
Shane starred in a cameo on Magda’s iconic Australian show, Kath & Kim, where he played her fiancee and eventual husband, and participated in a hilarious scene where he claimed to have been ‘practicing his bowling’ to impress her.
“When we filmed these immortal scenes Warnie proved that he was not just a great sportsman but also a great sport. He played along with our shenanigans and we had loads of fun. He was a great pasher!” she wrote.
“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. And poor Sharon has lost her hero and the love of her life,” she added.
Magda later uploaded some behind the scenes pictures of the pair laughing together on set.
Elton John
Renowned singer Elton took to Instagram to share his condolences in the wake of Shane’s death, sharing an image of himself alongside Shane and Shane’s ex-fiancee, Liz Hurley.
He also dedicated the post Rod Marsh, a fellow cricketer who died the day before Shane.
“A tragic day for Australian cricket. Two legends passing is heartbreaking. I knew them both and played cricket with Rod in Perth. A very special and fearless man. Shane was a magical bowler and such huge fun,” he wrote.
“They were both Australians through and through, which made them so endearing.
“My sympathies to their families and loved ones.”
Lara Worthington
Australian model Lara Worthington posted a cheery snap to her Instagram stories of herself beside Shane, both of them smiling widely at the camera.
“Ohhh I can’t believe this…” she wrote.
“You were such a huge part of my life. So fiercely protective and always the gentleman. You changed our world!”
“I will miss you.”
Glenn McGrath
Fellow cricketer and former teammate to Warnie, Glenn wrote a loving tribute to his friend.
1“Just absolutely devastated today. Warnie was larger than life. I thought nothing could ever happen to him,” he wrote.
“He lived more in his life than most people would live in 20. He was the ultimate competitor. He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around & bring us to victory, which he did so many times. I think he lived his life the same way. There seemed to be never a dull moment.
“He was a great mate & a loving father. He loved his kids so much & my thoughts are with Brooke, Jackson & Summer.
“My thoughts are also with Keith, Bridgette & Jason.
“Rest In Peace my good mate, there’ll never again be anyone like you.”
Ricky Ponting
Warne’s former captain Ricky Ponting has also spoken out about the death.
2Appearing on 7News, Ricky had to take a moment to compose himself when asked to describe his personal relationship with Warnie.
“Every young kid in the country wanted to be Shane Warne and wanted to bowl leg spin,” he said.
“He’ll be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
“I’ve never played with a better and more competitive bowler, someone who changed and revolutionised spin bowling.”
Michael Clarke
Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke was reduced to tears when speaking to Channel Nine over the weekend.
“What you see is what you get, you know, there was no real surprises with him,” he said of Shane.
3“In good and bad. He was loud and proud and we all knew about it.”
Michael had idolised Shane while coming up through the ranks, but never assumed they would become close friends. Shane took Michael under his wing when he joined the Australian side, giving him the nickname ‘Pup’.
“I was, like I say, so fortunate to come into such an amazing team with so many experienced players and yeah, I was the small fish in a big pond,” Michael said.
“I think the parts that you know you’re extra lucky, you know, being his friend, is you realise how loyal he is, a very giving friend.
“Nothing was ever too difficult and he’d drop everything for you.”
Dr Chris Brown
The beloved vet and host of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! opened up about some his memories with Shane while speaking on the Fitzy & Wippa radio show.
4Chris revealed that while Shane was on the show, his contract had prevented him from having to interact with spiders due to a phobia, but someone talked him into it for the final episode.
“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,” Chris said of the challenge.
“And that vulnerability, it really drew people in. It made people go ‘oh my god, he is human and he has the fragilities that we all have.”
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