An eclectic array of celebrities together with singer Elton John, {golfing} legend Greg Norman and champion surfer Kelly Slater paid tribute on Wednesday to their pal, former Australian cricketer Shane Warne, at a star-studded state memorial service.
More than 50,000 mourners chanted their hero’s nickname ‘Warnie’ on the outset of the service on the Melbourne Cricket Ground as they used to do when he took to the pitch for a match.
It was his hometown pitch the place he cemented his sporting legend in 2006 by changing into the primary bowler on the planet to take 700 check wickets.
Warne’s demise at a Thai resort of a suspected coronary heart assault on March 4 on the age of 52 made headlines around the globe.
‘Nothing might be extra upsetting about how a lot I already miss you, dad’ 💔
A touching tribute by Brooke Warne.
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📺 Watch the #ShaneWarne memorial on @foxtel
CH 501 or stream on @kayosports: https://t.co/ESpheFH5uB pic.twitter.com/jDV5c3tjdk
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022
The ache was felt far past the cricket world. Tributes got here from the fields of music, performing, enterprise, golf, politics, browsing, comedy, poker and others.
The most lovely & emotional a part of the entire night time – thanks to Summer, Brooke and Jackson for talking so fantastically about your dad.
Their heartfelt speeches: https://t.co/oyAsF6fgTx pic.twitter.com/IIMYAj96il
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022
Elton John devoted a rendition of ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ to Warne’s kids – Brooke, Summer and Jackson- who had been among the many crowd that included Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
A heartfelt efficiency by Elton John 👏
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— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022
John and fellow British musicians Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin appeared on a big display through video. So too did Australian singers (and sisters) Kylie and Dannii Minogue.
Unveiling the official Shane Warne Stand 🙌
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— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022
Martin performed ‘Eulogy’ a piano piece that he composed for the event. In one other video, Martin apologized for not attending the memorial in particular person.
‘I feel chaos and Shane had been good buddies’ 😂
A touching tribute by Chris Martin 👏
📝 Live Blog: https://t.co/3YN6OSsA0I
📺 Watch the #ShaneWarne memorial on @foxtel
CH 501 or stream on @kayosports: https://t.co/ESpheFH5uB pic.twitter.com/FIQlhzuAkd
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022
“We’re on tour in Central America and there are a lot of background noises, but I feel like that might be OK with him,” Martin mentioned in a jungle setting.
“I think chaos and Shane were good friends,” Martin added earlier than performing ‘Yellow’ with a guitar.
Sheeran described Warne as ‘such a great bloke.’
‘Oh, when the Saints go marching in’ 🎶 @stkildafc
📝 Live Blog: https://t.co/3YN6OSsA0I
📺 Watch the #ShaneWarne memorial on @foxtel
CH 501 or stream on @kayosports: https://t.co/ESpheFH5uB pic.twitter.com/nWvpKYX1O6
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022
Australian-born former champion golfer Greg Norman recalled Warne’s ardour, power and enthusiasm for all times.
On the sector, our hardest foe.
Off the sector, as variety and beneficiant as they arrive.
A real legend.
Farewell, Shane Warne ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vM8tWEMqDh
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 30, 2022
“Rest in peace, Warnie. You are one of the best human beings I’ve ever met,” Norman mentioned in a video.
American surfer Kelly Slater described Warne as an ‘Australian classic.’
‘He was the most effective brother I might’ve requested for… He made me a greater particular person’ ❤️
A heartfelt tribute by Jason Warne.
📝 Live Blog: https://t.co/3YN6OSsA0I
📺 Watch the #ShaneWarne memorial on @foxtel
CH 501 or stream on @kayosports: https://t.co/ESpheFH5uB pic.twitter.com/IQmv3Nrgfl
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022
Some knew Warne as one of many all-time nice spin bowlers. Others knew him because the dapper one-time fiance of glamorous British movie star and mannequin Elizabeth Hurley.
“It seems too cruel that all the people who loved him will never have another Lion hug,” Hurley posted on social media in a tribute to the previous lover she known as Lionheart after his demise.
She didn’t participate in Wednesday’s service.
Warne as soon as appeared in an episode of the Australian comedy TV collection ‘Kath and Kim’ as a Warne impersonator named Wayne.
“He turned up and he was so easy to work with, had so much fun,” actor Glenn Robbins, who performed Kel Knight within the collection, instructed the service.
Today we mourn but additionally have fun the lifetime of @ShaneWarne. He taught us to stay each second to the fullest. A husband, father, cricketer and pal. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/XkFGykFHVY
— Hugh Jackman (@ActualHughJackman) March 30, 2022
Actors Hugh Jackman and Eric Bana additionally paid tribute to their pal. Bana described Warne as a “fun loving larrikin” an Australian time period for a mischievous troublemaker’ whose feats had modified cricket.
The legend of #ShaneWarne lives ceaselessly on the mighty MCG! 🏟
🎥 @MCG pic.twitter.com/pAtjmiP45j
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 30, 2022
Former English cricket staff captain Nasser Hussain and former West Indies staff captain Brian Lara additionally spoke on the service.
“I had no delight in playing against Shane. The word I should have used (to describe him) was nightmare.” 😂
Nasser Hussain remembers the time he sledged Shane Warne … and it backfired horribly 🙈 pic.twitter.com/pmjR5H4yV6
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) March 30, 2022
Warne’s love life and off-field indiscretions had been typically fodder for tabloid journalists.
But his willpower to be his genuine, flawed and irreverent self endeared him to his buddies and followers alike.
A statue of Warne outdoors the cricket floor grew to become a spotlight of public grief. Tributes left on the statue included beer bottles and cigarette packets.
It was a nod to how Warne as soon as described himself in phrases repeated at his service by his father, Keith Warne: “I smoked, I drank and I played a little cricket.”
