‘The sun has gone behind a cloud forever’
Heartbroken Liz’s tribute to legend Shane
LIZ Hurley yesterday said the death of her old flame Shane Warne feels “like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever”.
British actress Liz, who was engaged to the Aussie cricket legend for two years, wrote on Instagram: “RIP my beloved Lionheart.” Her tribute came alongside pictures from her days with Warne, who died on Friday from a massive heart attack. He was just 52.
The spin king was found unresponsive during a villa holiday with friends on the Thai island of Koh Samui.
Yesterday Thai police said the star had previously been to a doctor after suffering chest pains and had a history of asthma. Officers searched the villa and spoke to those who were nearby at the time, but ruled out foul play. A postmortem is expected to be held before his body is flown home to Melbourne.
Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews has offered a public funeral so people “can pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to our state, community and country”.
It’s a tragic day... Shane was such a magical bowler and huge fun
SIR ELTON JOHN MUSIC LEGEND’S SAD TRIBUTE
MAGICAL
Warne’s three children – Brooke, 24, Jackson, 22, and Summer, 20 – were said to be “shattered”. And his mum Brigitte said in Black Rock, Melbourne: “We’re just in shock.”
Warne died hours after posting a tweet in memory of fellow Aussie cricket legend Rodney Marsh, 74, who passed away earlier the same day – also from a heart attack.
Liz, 56, and Warne had parted ways in 2013 and the cricketer later said their three years together were the “happiest time of his life”.
As tributes continued to pour in, Liz “liked” a comment from music legend Sir Elton John, who wrote: “Two legends passing is heartbreaking. I knew them and played cricket with Rod. A very special and fearless man. Shane was a magical bowler and such huge fun.”
Aussie singer Dannii Minogue described Warne as “such a light and energy in the room” and fellow pop star Ed Sheeran called him an “amazing friend”.
Warne was famed for his larger-than-life antics on and off the field. Outside Melbourne Cricket Ground – scene of many a triumph – fans left mementoes including cans of beer, a tin of Heinz Beans, a meat pie and a packet of cigarettes.
And floral tributes bedecked a statue of Warne, who took 708 wickets in a stellar Test career.