Shane Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan at airport as legend’s body arrives back in Australia

Shane Warne’s body has returned to Australia by private plane, as members of the cricket legend’s family waited to greet him.

Almost a week after his sudden death at the age of 52, Shane Warne’s body has arrived back in Australia.

A private jet carrying the Australian cricket legend’s body touched down at Essendon Fields Airport in Melbourne at around 8.30pm on Thursday night. The charter flight was moved into a private hangar.

Warne’s body was flown back by a company owned by Australian millionaire Terry Peabody.

Family and friends, including Warne’s personal assistant Helen Nolan, were at the airport to greet the private plane.

In a heartbreaking image, a woman believed to be Warne’s mother Brigitte was spotted inside the hangar holding a white rose by her side as her son’s body was returned home.

Warne’s son Jackson and ex-wife Simone Callahan were among those at the airport.

A woman believed to be Shane Warne’s mother holds a white rose inside the hangar after his body returned to Australia. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Warne's family, including ex-wife Simone Callahan, waited for the return of his body. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Callahan and Warne were married for 10 years before splitting up in 2005. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Earlier, the first pictures of Warne’s coffin emerged as his body was transported to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok on Thursday morning ahead of his return home.

His coffin was seen draped in an Australian flag as it was moved onto a private flight ahead of his return home to Australian soil.

The moving spectacle of seeing Warne’s body decorated in the Australian flag was a fitting tribute to the cricket legend who took 708 test wickets for his country and played 145 Tests in the baggy green.

Warne’s body underwent an autopsy at Bangkok Police Station’s mortuary, where it was confirmed by police that he died of natural causes — a suspected heart attack.

Warne’s state funeral will take place on March 30, after a private family service is expected to be held towards the end of next week.

Jackson Warne drives with his sister and mother Simone Callahan also seen in the car. (Photo by Aaron FRANCIS / AFP)

A staff member comforts Australian cricketer Shane Warne's personal assistant Helen Nolan (left) as she waits for the coffin bearing Warne to be brought out from a private jet at the Melbourne airport. (Photo by Aaron FRANCIS / AFP)

Discussions into the service’s organisation have begun, with immediate plans put on hold until Warne’s body was back on Australian soil.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews previously said the public service would be an opportunity for the state to pay tribute to one of its biggest sporting icons.

“It will be an opportunity for Victorians to pay tribute to his contribution to his sport, to our state and the country,” he said.

The MCG’s Great Southern Stand will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand in the spin king’s honour.

Warne's body returned to Australia via a private jet. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

An ambulance carrying the body of Australian cricket player Shane Warne leaves the Police General Hospital in Bangkok. Photo by James WILSON / various sources / AFP.

“I’ve just informed the Warne family that the government will rename the Great Southern Stand at the MCG — the place he took his hat-trick and 700th wicket — to honour Shane and his contribution to the game,” Mr Andrews said when he made the announcement.

“The S.K. Warne Stand will be a permanent tribute to an amazing Victorian.”

Warne was staying in a private villa on the Thai island of Koh Samui with three friends, including one who performed CPR after finding him unresponsive when he did not show up for dinner.

Police Colonel Yuthana Sirisombat, director of Bo Phut Provincial Police Station in Koh Samui, said Warne had experienced chest pains before his trip to Thailand.

Warne’s family revealed he had been suffering with heart troubles and asthma in the weeks leading up to his death, and had also completed a 14-day liquid only diet.