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Millions of viewers watch star-studded memorial to remember Shane Warne
Cricket legend Shane Warne who died suddenly at the age of 52 this month has been fare welled in a star-studded memorial on Wednesday evening
One billion world-wide viewers watched Australia’s beloved ‘spin king’ being remembered by A-list sporting greats, celebrities and politicians.
The Sun reported an audience of 300 million in India watched the memorial, as well as millions in the UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Ed Sheeran and a host of former cricketers led the tributes to the Australian cricketing icon at the ceremony at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sir Elton John – who performed a song for his great mate – along with actor Hugh Jackman and Kylie Minogue all appeared via video link to pay their respects.
His father, brother and three children all gave moving speeches in front of thousands of people in attendance.
His eldest child Brooke Warne broke hearts around the world as the 24 year-old held back tears saying how much she’ll miss her dad.
Meanwhile in a moving speech, the youngest of the three children, Summer, says we were all robbed of time with Warne and she will cherish the 20 years of memories they had together.
Summer said her father would “always live forever inside my heart” in saddening scenes.
“Forever my dad, no matter where you are,” she said.
Warne’s father Keith said the former Australia international packed more into his life “than most people would in two lifetimes”.
In the service he told the crowd “Shane said of himself, ‘I smoked, I drank, and I played a little cricket’.
Shane Warne’s little brother Jason shared his favourite memories of ‘the best brother he could ask for’.
The service ended with the unveiling of the Shane Warne Stand at the MCG by Warne’s children.
Warne is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all-time, having claimed 708 Test wickets in 145 matches across a stellar 15-year international career.
So many people could relate to Warne, touched by the late cricketer’s friends and supporters including ex-teammates who shared heartfelt messages and speeches last night.
Fans laid flowers, beers and signs under his statue at the MCG while tributes for the legend continue to flood social media.
