Shane Warne’s family, friends farewell spin king in private funeral

Just how many lives Shane Warne touched off the field as well as on it, was shown by the guests who joined his family at a private funeral today.

Shane Warne’s devastated family and friends have farewelled the cricketing legend in a private funeral on Sunday.

The private event at his beloved St Kilda Football Club was attended by family, friends, former teammates and luminaries from the sporting and entertainment worlds.

His son Jackson was among the pallbearers as his coffin was carried to a hearse before the car took the Australian Test great on one final lap of the ground.

A song by Coldplay, one of Warne’s favourite bands, was played over the loudspeaker as he was carried out.

A funeral program for Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne. Picture: William West / AFP.

Jackson Warne helps carry his dad’s coffin. Picture: David Caird.

Family and friends follow the hearse for a lap of the ground. Picture: David Caird

Brooke and Jackson Warne pay tribute to their dad. Picture: David Caird

The 52-year-old’s died of a shock heart attack at a villa in Koh Samui, Thailand on March 4.

Warne’s three children Brooke, Jackson, Summer, his parents Keith and Brigitte Warne, were among the mourners on Sunday.

“He brought together so many things,” television personality Eddie McGuire said outside, The Herald Sun reported.

“The reason why he was so loved is because he was fallible, he was Superman. You threw the ball to Warne, you sat in that Southern Stand and he did the things you dreamt of doing as a kid.

“He had the hat trick, took 700 wickets, the Gatting ball, he did everything.

“He did the things like wow, I wonder what it would be like to be a playboy in London society.”

Dannii Minogue and Sue Gudinski arrive at Shane Warne’s funeral. Picture: Ian Currie

Brendon Julian and Mark Howard. Picture: Ian Currie

Lloyd Williams and Keith Warne arrive. Picture: Ian Currie

Merv Hughes arrives for the ceremony. Picture: Ian Currie

Former Australian teammates Allan Border, Glenn McGrath, Merv Hughes, Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh were among the mourners.

As was Ian Healy, who was behind the stumps for the early part of Warne’s Test career.

St Kilda president Andrew Bassat also attended.

Eddie McGuire, David Evans, Merv Hughes and Allan Border arrive. Picture: Ian Currie.

Actor Glenn Robbins. Picture: Ian Currie

Former teammates Ian Healy and Merv Hughes. Picture: Ian Currie.

There were also Warne’s friends from the entertainment world including Dannii Minogue and comedian Glenn Robbins.

AFL personality Sam Newman also arrived to pay his respects along with horse racing personality Lloyd Williams.

Fox Sports colleagues Mark Howard and Brendon Julian were also in attendance.

Sam Newman arrives. Picture: Ian Currie

Glenn McGrath. Picture: David Caird

Eddie McGuire and Luke Tunnercliffe. Picture: David Caird

A crowd of 50,000 is expected to gather at the MCG for a star-studded public memorial next week.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin will be sending a music performance to be played during the memorial, while pop icons Elton John and Ed Sheeran will also deliver messages.

The MCG’s Great Southern Stand will be renamed in the king of spin’s honour, a move announced just hours after his death.