Girlfriend’s stunned reaction to memorial sums up Shane Warne

As tributes for Shane Warne poured in from famous faces around the globe, one response summed up the cricket legend’s incredible life.

The biggest names loved being in Shane Warne’s company. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Nearly two hours into Shane Warne’s memorial at the MCG on Wednesday night, Ed Sheeran popped up on screen.

“Shane was an incredible human to me and every single person that he came across and I’ve just got such wonderful stories of him,” the world-famous musician said.

“People that he didn’t even know have wonderful stories of him, that he gave so much of his time and energy and love to.

“He was such a great bloke. And I’m honoured to be playing tonight.”

Sheeran then busted out a rendition of Warne’s favourite song of his, Thinking Out Loud.

The moment Sheeran appeared, my girlfriend – who is not a cricket fan but was watching the ceremony with me on the couch – turned and said of Warne: “How is he literally friends with everyone?”

Sheeran was another in a long line of celebrities who had become close with Warne over the years and wanted to pay their respects to the cricket legend.

Hollywood stars Eric Bana and Hugh Jackman made cameos, musical icons Sir Elton John, Chris Martin, Jon Stevens and Robbie Williams performed in his honour, Kylie and Dannii Minogue passed on messages of their love, Greg Norman was part of the show and even surfing megastar Kelly Slater was involved, reminiscing on his friendship with The King.

Warne really did mix in another stratosphere compared to mere mortals.

But as was stressed in heartfelt eulogies and storytelling from family and close friends, Warne’s celebrity appeal never gave him a big head. He was always humble, always down to earth, always willing to help anyone who asked and always loyal to those who relied on him – not usually traits associated with the high and mighty among us.

But how exactly did so many celebrities find themselves drawn to Warne’s inner circle? Well, he and Sheeran met in 2014 when the Brit was in Australia to perform at the Logies. Staying in adjoining rooms at Melbourne’s Crown Casino, Warne invited the singer and his mates out to his club and they remained close ever since.

“He used to do some really amazing things. I’ve got some friends that are huge into cricket, and he just offered one day like, ‘Do you want me to take them to the nets at Lord’s?’” Sheeran told The Project this month.

“He took me in the nets at the MCG. He was bowling against my dad, and my dad was doing the hits and everything.

“Then I sort of whispered to him, ‘Give him one proper Shane Warne ball’. Man, they fly don’t they! They really fly.”

Martin wrote an instrumental piece called The Eulogy specifically for Warne’s memorial. The pair were close for two decades, Warne even joining the Coldplay frontman on stage and playing the harmonica at a live gig once.

Chris Martin and Shane Warne were great mates. Picture: YouTube

Sir Elton John reportedly introduced Warne to Liz Hurley. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

During his 2016 appearance on reality TV show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Warne opened up on how he and Martin became such good mates after meeting in 2001.

“I’m in the Royal Garden Hotel, in the lift, it’s really late and I’ve got someone with me … and there’s about four or five people in the lift,” Warne said. “I notice a guy in the corner – he also had someone – anyway, Chris turns around and says ‘Are you?’ and I say ‘Are you?’

“We went up to his room, we had a bit of a giggle and then we sat there and talked all night until the sun came up. We just clicked … and ever since then we’ve been good buddies.”

Speaking to Men’s Health Australia last year, Warne said of their friendship: “Well, when I catch up with Chris Martin, who’s one of my best friends, we do something really simple. When I go down to his place in LA, we go for a walk up the hill.

“He’ll go, ‘Right, my five first’, and he’ll say the five things that are on his mind, whether that’s a block in music writing, whether it’s his children, whatever.”

There were incredible scenes at the MCG on Wednesday night. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

So many people came to pay their respects. (Photo by Sam Tabone/Getty Images)

Warnie gone way too soon but never ever forgotten. What a absolutely amazing tribute to him tonite with the pizzaz, passion and entertainment so typical of the great man. Big congrats to all those people involved in the production. 👏👏🙏

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) March 30, 2022

Robbie Williams acknowledged he hadn’t met Warne many times, but on Wednesday night explained why so many people were drawn to him.

“He was kind, charismatic, funny, charming and a gentleman,” Williams said. “And I was looking forward to spending more time with him, because you seldom come across that kind of energy with people, and easy company too.”

Warne and Bana bonded over their love of AFL team St Kilda while Sir Elton John became close to the leg-spin legend because of his love of cricket, once telling the champion tweaker if he could be anyone else, he would be Warne.

Apparently Mick Jagger said the same thing too, if you don’t mind.

Sir Elton even introduced Warne to British actress Liz Hurley, who he would later become engaged to and who posted a heartbreaking tribute after his death.

“I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart,” she wrote on Instagram.

“It seems too cruel that all the people who loved him will never have another Lion hug, but our memories will live forever. RIP Lionheart, with love your Luna.”

Originally published as Girlfriend’s stunned reaction to memorial sums up Shane Warne