ED Sheeran has remembered Shane Warne as an “amazing friend” following the news of his death at age 52.
He fought back tears as he paid tribute to the record-breaking Australian bowler after his untimely passing earlier this month.
Ed, 31, told Australian TV show The Project: “We met in 2014, when I was doing the Logies. He was staying at the hotel next to me, and do you remember he had that club at Crown?
“He took me and my friends there, and that was like the first time I’d hung out with him.
“Then – mate, 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 [in London]?'”
The singer added: “You guys know – the heart of that bloke was so big, and he’s just such a lovely person inside and out. There’s so many stories like that.”
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Sheeran said he had spoken to Warne on the phone this week to mark the anniversary of music mogul Michael Gudinski, who died March last year, with both of them raising a glass in his honour.
The singer-songwriter shared a photo of Warne and Gudinski together on Instagram when Shane passed and wrote: “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.
“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. Il bloody miss you mate. Absolutely gutted.”
The Victoria-born spinner was engaged to actress Elizabeth Hurley from September 2011 until they split in December 2013.
In 2016, Warne took part in the Australian version of the TV programme I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
During his six-week stay in the jungle, he was bitten on the head by an anaconda during a Tucker Trial which required him to stick his head into tanks fills with African clawed frogs, scorpions, cockroaches, rats and snakes.
During his stay in the South African bush, Warne received criticism after being openly critical of Steve Waugh, who was his captain while playing for Australia.
He also received a backlash for his outspoken views on the theory of evolution, suggesting humans “started from aliens” on the TV show.
Warne was the joint-leading wicket-taker as Australia won the 1999 World Cup and finished with 293 one-day dismissals in 194 matches. He ended his illustrious 15-year international career in 2007.
