Shane Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan slams Channel Nine’s new  miniseries

Simone Callahan is no fan of Channel Nine’s new Shane Warne miniseries, titled Warnie. 

The former WAG believes it’s too soon for a show about the late cricketer, who died suddenly from a heart attack aged just 52 on March 4, 2022 while on holiday in Thailand.

‘I haven’t wanted to read into too much about it, but I think it’s a bit unkind and mean spirited to be honest,’ the 53-year-old told the Herald Sun. 

‘He’s just passed, let him rest in peace. And for the kids, I just believe that they’re not showing any compassion at all by putting this out there in such a short amount of time after this has happened. To be honest but that’s how I feel about it,’ she added.

A preview for the series aired during the recent State of Origin Broadcast. 

The trailer, which sees actor Alex William depict the late Australian cricketer, wasn’t received well by many viewers, who said it was too soon to be airing a show about the sportsman. 

Just six months after his death, the network confirmed that it was producing a two-part miniseries about Warne’s life, however, it was reported that production on the series began just three weeks after his death. 

The miniseries is due to air over two nights later this year. 

Many viewers took to Twitter to share their disappointment with Channel Nine.

One person said: ‘Are Channel Nine taking the p**s with the Warnie mini series. That promo was s***house, embarrassing and disgraceful. Let him rest in peace.’

While another wrote: ‘Does anyone else think it’s too soon for a Warnie show on? He hasn’t even been gone for 15 months, and already the show seems filmed and ready to release.’ 

‘I haven’t wanted to read into too much about it, but I think it’s a bit unkind and mean spirited to be honest,’ the 53-year-old told the Herald Sun. A scene from the series is pictured 

‘He’s just passed, let him rest in peace,’ she added. Pictured are the actors depicting Warne and Callahan in the series 

The miniseries was filmed in the late cricketer’s home of Melbourne, and it tells a dramatised version of the Spin King’s remarkable sporting career and rise to fame, including his marriage to ex-wife Callahan. 

Shane’s eldest daughter Brooke, 24, previously called Nine’s announcement of a telemovie based on her father ‘beyond disrespectful’, as he spent 23 years as a commentator for the network’s cricket coverage.

‘Do any of you have any respect for dad? Or his family?’ she wrote on Instagram.

‘He did so much for Channel Nine and now you want to dramatise his life and our family’s life six months after he passed away? You are beyond disrespectful.’

According to Nine, the 9Network and Screentime met with the Warne family during pre-production and they have since changed their tune and now support the series. 

‘And for the kids, I just believe that they’re not showing any compassion at all by putting this out there in such a short amount of time after this has happened,’ Simone said 

Shane’s eldest daughter Brooke previously called Nine’s announcement of a telemovie based on her father ‘beyond disrespectful’ 

‘The 9Network looks forward to collaborating with the family as filming continues,’ Nine said in a statement.

The network has billed the production as a ‘must-see drama event’.

‘This will be the fitting tribute to one of the greatest Australians of all time, the Aussie larrikin who lived and loved large,’ a Nine spokesperson said.

‘Shane Warne was an Aussie legend, a cultural icon, a cricketing genius, a charmer and a rogue. ‘Warnie’ transcended cricket.

‘Like all great characters, he inspired extreme reactions from people from all walks of life, in Australia and around the world.’ 

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. 

Warne died suddenly from a heart attack aged just 52 on March 4, 2022 while on holiday in Thailand