LONDON: British actress and socialite Elizabeth Hurley has paid tribute to her ex-fiance Shane Warne following the former Australian cricketer’s death.
The actress and model, 56, was engaged to the Australian from September 2011 until they split in December 2013, with their relationship attracting significant media attention.
Hurley took to Instagram and posted multiple photos of them together. Another shows them smiling and holding hands at a charity cricket match. Hurley, best known for starring in the Austin Powers and Bedazzled films, wrote: “I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart.”
Her son with American businessman Steve Bing, Damian, also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: “I’m still trying to wrap my head around this… SW was a father figure to me for most of my formative years and was truly one the best men I’ve ever known. My heart is broken. Thinking of and sending love to all SW’s family.”
View this post on Instagram
Warne died of a suspected heart attack on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand late on Friday night and his friends could revive him after being found unresponsive. Many celebrity friends of Warne have since paid tribute, recalling fond memories and remembering him as a “true cricket legend”.
Sir Elton John shared a photo of himself with Warne and Hurley, and he referenced the death of Rod Marsh, the Australian cricketer who also died on Friday. He wrote: “A tragic day for Australian cricket. Two legends passing is heartbreaking. I knew them both and played cricket with Rod in Perth. A very special and fearless man.”
“Shane was a magical bowler and such huge fun. They were both Australians through and through, which made them so endearing. My sympathies to their families and loved ones.” Hurley was among those who liked his post.
Warne and Hurley started dating in 2010, with the Aussie cricketer proposing to the British actress in September the following year. They split in 2013 before making it down the aisle.
In his autobiography No Spin, Warne said there was “no single, clear reason” why their relationship ended. Warne’s relationship with Hurley came after the 2005 breakdown of his 10-year marriage to Simone Callahan, which ended on the eve of an Ashes series in the UK.
Warne proposed to Hurley on Australian businessman James Packer’s boat off the coast of Spain in 2011 after just 18 months together. It was supposed to be kept secret but Packer let the details slip and the news broke in Australia a week later.
