Ed Sheeran, Elton John and more pay emotional tribute following the passing of Shane Warne

Publish Date
Monday, 7 March 2022, 10:04AM

The sudden death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne shocked the world over the weekend.

And now his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from famous faces, celebrities and royals.

British singer Ed Sheeran, a close personal friend of the sporting legend, led the tributes with a post revealing he'd had a phone call with Warne just days ago.

Eerily, Sheeran and Warne had spoken to mark one year since Melbourne-based record label executive and promoter Michael Gudinski died on March 1.

"The world keeps taking incredible people away," Sheeran wrote on Instagram beneath a photo of Warne with Gudinski.

"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.

"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. I'll bloody miss you mate. Absolutely gutted," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Sir Elton John shared his memories of both Warne and fellow Australian cricketer Rod Marsh in a heartfelt message.

Alongside a photo with Warne and his ex Elizabeth Hurley, the Rocket Man wrote: "Shane was a magical bowler and such huge fun."

He said they were both Australian "through and through", which made them "so endearing".

Kath & Kim star Magda Szubanski — whose iconic character, Sharon Strzelecki, was so obsessed with Warney that the man himself appeared on the series as Shane Warne impersonator Wayne — tweeted that she was in "complete shock" by the news.

"I've woken in the middle of the night to this terrible terrible news I'm in complete shock," Szubanski began.

"This is just too sad. Devastating. Incredible to think that bright, cheeky spark has been snuffed out ... My deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and fans."

Warne died of a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Thailand. He was 52.

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