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Shane Warne death: Ed Sheeran and Magda Szubanski lead tributes

The shock death of Australian cricket icon Shane Warne at the age of 52 has sparked an outpouring of celebrity tributes on social media.

The sporting legend passed away from a suspected heart attack on Friday while on holiday in Thailand, with his management confirming he was found unresponsive in his hotel and unable to be revived.

Shane Warne.
Celebrities have shared emotional tributes to Shane Warne after his shock death. Photo: Getty

'Absolutely gutted'

Musician Ed Sheeran took to Instagram following the news to share a photo of Shane posing with his late friend and record label executive, Michael Gudinski, writing that “the world keeps taking incredible people away”.

“I spoke to Shane on the anniversary of Michael’s passing this week saying we were both raising a glass of 707 in his honour, and now this news comes out,” he detailed in the caption.

“Shane was the kindest heart, and always went above and beyond to make people feel welcome and special. Such a gentleman. He gave so many hours and years of his life to bring joy to others, and was such an amazing friend to me. I’ll bloody miss you mate. Absolutely gutted.”

Magda Szubanski, who famously worked alongside Shane on Kath & Kim, also shared a heartfelt post online reacting to the “terrible terrible news” that left her in “utter shock”.

“Inconceivable that a life crammed with so much genius and larrikin charm could be snuffed out so suddenly and so soon,” she wrote alongside a gallery of snaps of herself and Shane filming their on-screen wedding in 2007.

Magda Szubanski and Shane Warne.
Magda Szubanski penned a heartfelt tribute on social media. Photo: Instagram/magda_szubanski

“When we filmed these immortal scenes, Warnie proved that he was not just a great sportsman but also a great sport. He played along with our shenanigans and we had loads of fun. He was a great pasher!”

She continued: “This is a shocking loss for our nation and for the cricketing world. And poor Sharon has lost her hero and the love of her life.”

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Hugh Jackman posted a photo of himself and Shane online alongside an emotional tribute, remarking that he was “in shock” after waking up to the news.

“I’m grateful to have known him, and to have witnessed his once in a generation talent,” he wrote. “My heartfelt sympathies to his family and close friends at this incredibly difficult time. Rest well Shane.”

Kylie Minogue paid her respects on social media, tweeting: “Vale Warney. Condolences to his family, friends and fans. The one and only King of Spin.”

Meanwhile, Sir Elton John penned a tribute alongside an image with Shane and Elizabeth Hurley, who was previously engaged to the sports star.

“A tragic day for Australian cricket,” he wrote. “Shane was a magical bowler and such huge fun.”

Andy Lee also posted a snap of himself sharing a laugh with Shane on the golf course.

“I’m lying in bed having just heard the news that a legend and friend has passed,” he captioned the photo. “He opened so many doors for me to the sport I loved and we shared a lot of yarns playing another sport we both loved. Forever grateful. You’ll be missed.”

Legendary rocker Mick Jagger wrote online that he was “so saddened by the sudden death of Shane Warne”.

“He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever,” he tweeted.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, also took to Instagram to pay tribute to the Australian icon and share that she was “so sad” to hear that he had been “taken from us too soon”.

David Campbell called the news “devastating”, while Rebecca Gibney said it was “utterly heartbreaking”.

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