Shane Warne’s loved ones lash Channel 9’s ‘disrespectful’ telemovie plan

Shane Warne’s children have slammed Channel 9 for “disrespect” over a controversial plan for a telemovie about their dad, saying he should be allowed to “rest in peace”.

All three of Shane Warne’s children have spoken out against plans for a telemovie about their father.

Channel 9 is planning a telemovie about the late spin king, months after his shock March 4 death in Thailand.

Warne’s long-time PA Helen Nolan, who always remained tight-lipped, said it was devastating to have the telemovie in the pipeline.

“No one from the family or his team has ever been approached about anything,” she said.

“It’s disgraceful and so disrespectful. It’s six months. They started this three days after he passed away, we have heard.

“Whether it’s good or bad, they are doing something on fiction.

“Not many people know the real Shane and they will no doubt get things wrong, like a lot of media did in his life. He was sometimes hard done by.

Shane with his son, Jackson, and daughter, Brooke. Picture: Instagram

“I’m sure people have met him. Doesn’t mean you know him.

“I feel for his kids. It’s traumatising for them — just losing their dad and seeing things like this isn’t fair.”

It comes after Warne’s eldest daughter took a swipe at Nine, labelling it “beyond disrespectful”.

In an Instagram story posted directed at the network late Wednesday night, Brooke, 24, wrote: “Do any of you have any respect for Dad? Or his family? Who did so much for Channel 9 and now you want to dramatise his life and our families (sic) life 6 months after he passed away? You are beyond disrespectful.”

Warne’s manager says the decision is ‘disheartening’ given Warne worked at Channel 9 for the best part of his post-cricket life.

Warne’s two other children, Jackson, 23, and Summer, 20, have also hit out. Jackson called out Channel 9 with a thumbs down and cross emoji, while Summer was also strong in her words.

“I would really like to know what goes through people’s heads to think this is okay? @channel9 Your (sic) a disgrace. Have some respect.

“How disappointing, only 6 months after his passing and your (sic) already trying to make money off of this? Can you just let my dad rest in peace, since his (sic) not here to defend himself.”

The two-part telemovie, called Warnie, is described by Nine as being a fitting tribute to one of the greatest Australians of all time, the Aussie larrikin who lived and loved large.

The show has been casting in Sydney in recent months with predominantly newcomers being sounded out to play the cricketing great.

It is understood the actor who has landed the role of Warne is a fresh face, a virtual unknown.

Brooke with her dad before his sad passing.

Casting has also included a search for actors to play Warne’s former fiancee, Elizabeth Hurley, and his ex-wife, Simone Callahan.

In June, Warne’s long-time manager, James Erskine, told the Herald Sun he would be contacting Nine chairman Peter Costello and would not rule out taking legal action to prevent the drama series from going ahead.

“He’s only been dead for a couple of months and for them to turn this around and think about doing some sensational thing, well, they should be ashamed of themselves,” Erskine said.

“I will be writing to Peter Costello because he is their chairman and saying, please explain.”

Erskine said it was especially “disheartening” given Warne had worked at the network for the best part of his post-cricket life and had close bonds with everyone, from former Nine boss Kerry Packer to Packer’s son James and former Nine chief executive David Gyngell.

Warne worked for more than 23 years as a commentator at Channel 9, where he was one of the most revered analysts of the game.

Brooke paid tribute to her dad at Lord's Cricket Ground earlier this year.

He died in Thailand in March, aged just 52.

The telemovie is expected to focus on the more colourful aspects of Warne’s life, rather than recreating his cricketing exploits.

Nine’s Head of Drama, Andy Ryan, in April told TV Tonight website: “But the outpouring of grief adds an extra dimension. He’s definitely flawed, but a genius, a rogue and a rascal”.

“At the core, he was a genius cricketer but we don’t want to tell just a story about a genius cricketer. He was also a cultural icon but we don’t just want to tell a story about a cultural icon.”

It is unknown how much involvement, if any, Warne’s family has had with the project.

Brooke, one of Warne’s three children, saw her father just two days before he died.

In a moving speech at his memorial at the MCG, she said: “Even if you were struggling or sad about something, Dad, you wouldn’t show it. You didn’t want anyone to worry. You put everyone first before yourself because you were such a selfless man”.

Warnie will be produced for Nine by Screentime in association with VicScreen, with an air date slated for 2023.