Shane Warne’s ex-wife, Simone Callahan, labels Warnie telemovie ‘mean-spirited’

Shane Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan won’t be watching the “mean-spirited” telemovie set to depict the cricketing icon’s life.

Alex Williams and Marny Kennedy as Shane Warne and Simone Callahan in the upcoming telemovie, Warnie.

Shane Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan has slammed the upcoming telemovie about the late cricket great’s life, labelling it “unkind” and “mean-spirited”.

Callahan, who shared three children with Warne from their decade long marriage, says in her opinion it’s too soon.

Warne died suddenly last year on March 4 with a heart condition while holidaying in Thailand. The telemovie, Warnie, airs on Sunday and Monday nights on Channel 9.

“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,’’ Callahan told the Herald Sun.

“It’s my opinion. 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.”

Simone Callahan and Shane Warne in 2010. Picture: Getty Images

Warne’s death sparked an outpouring of grief from around the world.

Callahan has grieved the Aussie icon’s passing largely in private, focusing on being a mum to Brooke, Jackson and Summer, and on her yoga teachings which includes being a Wanderlust ambassador to mark International Yoga Day on Wednesday.

Last year, Brooke slammed the production as “beyond disrespectful” which led to crisis talks between the network and the family.

Warne’s former manager James Erskine led the discussions and said there was an understanding that it would be a celebration of Warne’s life.

“They have assured me it will be done appropriately. At the end of the day if they do a hatchet job, then the whole world will be watching,’’ he told the Herald Sun in September.

But the promo trailer that has aired over the past few weeks highlighting raunchy scenes has been labelled by some as tacky and distasteful.

Callahan says she won’t be watching the ‘mean-spirited’ telemovie. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Callahan, who is being portrayed by Marny Kennedy, said it was disappointing.

“He just passed last year and they’re already creating some show or whatever drama, miniseries, you want to call it,’’ she said.

“No compassion, really unkind. They’re (the children) still grieving, they lost their dad, unfortunately with the way mainstream media are it’s all about the dollars to be made, it’s a business for them, but it’s very personal for us.”

Nine has billed the production as a must-see drama event and released a glowing statement about the spin king, being played by Alex Williams, when filming started in November.

“Shane Warne was an Aussie legend, a cultural icon, a cricketing genius, a charmer and a loveable rogue,’’ it read.

“Warnie, as he was affectionately known to all, transcended cricket.

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