The world has been left in shock over the news Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has died at the age of 52, following a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Thailand on Friday.
And as the nation comes to terms with his devastating death, Australian stars who have worked and spent time with the sporting icon, have shared their disbelief over what has happened.
On Saturday morning, Hollywood heavyweight Hugh Jackman shared a photo of himself wearing cricket gear alongside Warne, writing: ‘Like you all, I’m in shock to wake to the news that @shanewarne23 has passed away.
Heartbroken: Tributes have poured in for cricket legend Shane Warne, including from close friend Hugh Jackman (pictured right)
‘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.’
Magda Szubanski, who famously starred alongside Warne in an episode of Kath & Kim, wrote: ‘I’ve woken in the middle of the night to this terrible terrible news. I’m in complete shock. This is just too sad. Devastating.
‘Incredible to think that bright, cheeky spark has been snuffed out.’
Heartache: Magda Szubanski, who starred alongside Warne in an episode of Kath & Kim, wrote: ‘I’ve woken in the middle of the night to this terrible terrible news. I’m in complete shock. This is just too sad. Devastating’
Warne’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2016 campmates also took to social media to share their heartache, with DJ Havana Brown writing: ‘It’s hard to comprehend the devastating news @shanewarne23.
‘We clicked straight away, you were an amazing friend. I loved how excited you always were about life and making things happen. It’s hard to come across people like you. That’s what makes you legendary.
‘Thank you for always being there as a good mate, the fun we have had, for teaching me how to play poker and always being open to help me wherever and whenever you can. You were always there for your friends.’
Loss: Warne’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2016 campmates also took to social media to share their heartache, with DJ Havana Brown (pictured) writing: ‘It’s hard to comprehend the devastating news @shanewarne23’
In his element: Havana also shared a video of Warne dancing behind a bar, captioned: ‘I know you’re still rocking and throwing the best parties in heaven’
Havana also shared a video of Warne dancing behind a bar, captioned: ‘I know you’re still rocking and throwing the best parties in heaven.’
She concluded: ‘You lived your life to the fullest and achieved what most could only dream of. My heart goes to your beautiful children, @jacksonwarne18, @brookewarne & @summerwarne ,you were an amazing father. Completely gutted. You will be missed. RIP LEGEND.’
AFL star Brendan Fevola posted a photo of the cricket legend with a broken heart, while his wife Alex added: ‘What a loss for everyone that knew and loved you. A true gentlemen, kind hearted and a loving Dad. My heart breaks for @brookewarne @jacksonwarne18 @summerwarne @simonecallahan.’
Devastated: Brendan Fevola simply posted a photo of the cricket legend with a broken heart, while his wife Alex added: ‘What a loss for everyone that knew and loved you. A true gentlemen, kind hearted and a loving Dad. My heart breaks for @brookewarne @jacksonwarne18 @summerwarne @simonecallahan’
Co-star: Neighbours star Dean Geyer also shared a photo on the show with Warne, adding; ‘I only got ot spend a month with Shane, but during that time everyone on the show fell in love with the man he was’
Neighbours star Dean Geyer also shared a photo on the series with Warne, adding; ‘I only got to spend a month with Shane, but during that time everyone on the show fell in love with the man he was.
‘He was incredibly warm, fun, and as generous of a person as they come. He was the first to congratulate you on a win, and the first to give you a pat on the back when things don’t go your way.’
Sad: Meanwhile, Dannii Minogue added: ‘I am devastated to wake up to the news that Shane Warne has passed. My heart breaks for his family and friends’
Meanwhile, Dannii Minogue added: ‘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. 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, how Disco how are you?”‘
Today Extra host David Campbell Tweeted: ‘This can’t be true. RIP Shane Warne. Gone way too soon. Two legends of the sport in two days. My thoughts to his family.’
TV stint: Shane came fourth on the 2016 series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Shock: Today Extra host David Campbell wrote: ‘This can’t be true. RIP Shane Warne. Gone way too soon. Two legends of the sport in two days. My thoughts to his family’
Tragic: Michelle Bridges added: ‘This can not be. I can’t even. Such an incredible athlete, a legend. Shane, you were always so warm, so welcoming and so darn funny’
The Biggest Loser star Michelle Bridges added: ‘This can not be. I can’t even. Such an incredible athlete, a legend. Shane, you were always so warm, so welcoming and so darn funny.
‘Always up for a chat and a laugh. You inspired a nation and an army of next gen spinners. You put the cool into spin. Heartfelt wishes to your family.
Model Laura Csortan added: ‘I’m just waiting for someone to tell me this is a bad joke… he can’t be gone. Aside from being incredibly talented, an Aussie icon and a great father he had a lust for life and lived with no regrets, his last words to me.
‘Fly high legend’: Australian model Laura Csortan added: ‘I’m just waiting for someone to tell me this is a bad joke… he can’t be gone. Aside from being incredibly talented, an Aussie icon and a great father he had a lust for life and lived with no regrets, his last words to me’
‘Love and strength to his family. My heart breaks for his three kids.’
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins wrote: ‘Hard to fathom. We all idolised Warnie growing up for his showmanship, his will to win games for Australia from any position, and his incredible skill.
‘Players all over the world owe him so much for what he has brought to cricket. He was incredibly generous and had a profound affect as a person on all he met.
Talent: Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins wrote: ‘Hard to fathom. We all idolised Warnie growing up for his showmanship, his will to win games for Australia from any position, and his incredible skill’
‘So sad’: Model Kris Smith (left) added: ‘Can not believe what I’m seeing…. So so sad.. RIP great man
‘He transcended cricket. The sport hasn’t been the same since he debuted, and it won’t be the same again after his passing. RIP King.’
Male model and I’m A Celebrity… Get. Me Out Of Here! star Kris Smith wrote: ‘Can not believe what I’m seeing…. So so sad.. RIP great man.’
While Kyly Clarke, the ex-wife of legendary cricketer Michael Clarke, added: ‘So very very sad to hear this news this morning. I’m in shock, can’t believe this just happened.
‘Life can be so short, so unpredictable, hug tight and spend all the time you can with those you love. ‘
Former Australian captain David Warner wrote a message in tribute of both Warne and fellow Aussie legend Rod Marsh who also died on Friday.
He said: ‘Two legends of our game have left us too soon. I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just can not believe it, you will both be missed.’
Legend: Kyly Clarke, the ex-wife of legendary cricketer Michael Clarke, added: ‘So very very sad to hear this news this morning. I’m in shock, can’t believe this just happened’
Two losses: Former Australian captain David Warner wrote a message in tribute of both Warne and fellow Aussie legend Rod Marsh who also died on Friday
The tributes poured in after Warne was found dead while on holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand on Friday evening.
Four friends staying with him battled to save his life for 20 minutes, police have said.
The Australian megastar cricketer turned pundit and businessman, and the greatest leg spinner in history, was found unconscious in a villa in the resort.
Thai police said that Warne was staying in the villa with four friends, and when one of the group tried to wake Shane for food at around 5pm local time today he was found to be unresponsive.
Heartache: Australian cricket hero and legendary leg-spinner, Shane Warne, pictured at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 18, died suddenly aged 52 on Friday
Officers said the friends performed CPR on him for around 20 minutes before an ambulance arrived and took Warne to the Thai International Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Speaking this evening by phone, Police Senior Sergeant Major Suporn Hemruangsree said: ‘Police received a report about somebody who died at the Thai International Hospital so we went and asked the hotel, and found out that the deceased was with four other friends and died in the room.
‘In the villa, the people were sleeping in separate rooms. They were sleeping from afternoon to evening, until about 5pm.
‘At 5pm somebody came to call out this person for dinner but the deceased did not respond so they called three other friends to perform CPR for 20 minutes. They waited for the ambulance to come.
‘The doctor announced the death of the person at 6:53pm. Police went and checked the room and there was no sign of intrusion or possessions being searched through. The body was sent for an autopsy at Koh Samui Hospital.’
Cricket great: Warne became a global star in 1993 by bowling out Mike Gatting with the so-called ‘Ball of the Century’ – his first ball in Ashes cricket. He went on to get 708 test wickets, tormenting teams all over the world, especially Australia’s great rival England
Team player: Pictured in 1997 with her fellow Aussie cricketers in the change rooms of the 4th test match in England
Warne’s manager separately confirmed his death, saying that the father-of-three could not be revived.
‘It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday March 4,’ a statement from the management company read.
The statement added: ‘Shane was found unresponsive in his Villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived. The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.’
Warne became a global star in 1993 by bowling out Mike Gatting with the so-called ‘Ball of the Century’ – his first ball in Ashes cricket.
He went on to get 708 test wickets, tormenting teams all over the world, especially Australia’s great rival England.
Warne is survived by his three children, Jackson, Summer and Brooke, all of whom he shares with his ex-wife of ten years Simone Callahan.
MailOnline understands Warne landed in Thailand yesterday and was seen looking happy while chatting with fans at the airport and looked like he was on a boys’ break.
He is believed to have died at the luxury Samujana Villas resort in Koh Samui.
Family: Shane is survived by his three children, Jackson, Summer and Brooke, all of whom he shares with his ex-wife of ten years Simone Callahan
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