TEARS FOR DAD
Shane Warne’s grieving daughter in tears as family and celebs gather and a BILLION tune in for cricket legend’s memorial
SHANE Warne's grieving daughter was left in tears as family and celebs gathered and a billion people tuned in worldwide for the cricketing king's memorial.
A teary-eyed Brooke Warne was seen welcoming in mourners attending her father's memorial at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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An extraordinary 300 million are expected to have watched the memorial in India, with the service having also been broadcast to hundreds of millions in Pakistan, Bangladesh and the UK from 7pm Melbourne time, MC Eddie McGuire revealed.
Warne's ex-wife Simone Callahan and three kids are attended the lighthearted memorial dubbed to be the "greatest party ever" in a nod to the cricketer's laissez-faire approach to life.
His son Jackson, 22, was spotted carrying a slab of lemon flavoured vodka drinks into the bus for funeral guests.
Among those attending included Aussie pop stars Danii and Kylie Minogue while Hugh Jackson and Ed Sheeran paid tribute in a pre-recorded video message.
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Sir Elton John also paid respects to his great friend ahead of dedicating the poignant Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me to Warne’s children Brooke, Summer and Jackson with his band from their American tour.
"It’s sad day today but it’s not in other ways … because his legacy will live on," the legendary musician said.
"He loved to play cricket … and he loved life."
Sir Elton became close with Warne in the 90s and is reported to have introduced the loveable larrikin to his future ex-fiancé actor Elizabeth Hurley at his Windsor home.
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Meanwhile, Kylie shared a deeply personal story about Warney and Coldplay's Chris Martin performed Yellow for his "good friend".
"How lucky we were to get to know that...that light will continue to burn bright in our memories forever more. We will miss you Warney," Kylie said.
Robbie Williams dedicated a goosebump-inducing piano version of his hit Angels to the legend while Sheeran paid respects to the "incredible human".
Jackson said his dad was his best friend in a touching tribute.
"You were the best dad anyone could have asked for and you were mine, and my best friend," he said.
"Time with you went way too fast, it just feels like yesterday that we were looking at each other’s cards playing poker, eating pizza and cheering on a multi while watching the Saints.
"I’m never going to forget how much fun we had doing just simple things.
"We would play Monopoly and you would do deals with me just to give me a chance to win. We were both so happy.
"In one of the first games of cricket I ever played you told me, just go out there and have fun, because when you’re happy, good things will happen.
"You just wanted the best for me."
He added: "There’s not a day that will go by where I will not be thinking of you.
"I know you’re watching over me. I miss you so much dad. I love you up to the sky and back and I will see you soon."
More than 51,000 tickets were given away, with millions more tuning in across Australia as Warne's tribute went wall to wall on free-to-air television and Foxtel in Australia.
People travelled from across the country to pay their respects to Warne, including Brielle Beatson, 32, who flew in from Brisbane with her mother Leanne, 66.
"I was quite devastated," Ms Beatson said when she heard the news of Warne's death in Thailand on March 4.
"I was on the Ticketek website at 3pm and kept refreshing when the tickets were available."
He had that star quality and charisma the world got to know and love... We will miss you Warney.
Kylie Minogue
The cricket fan said she wanted to be part of the special night.
"I was here at the MCG when Warne made 99," she said.
Leanne, from Alexandra Hills, Brisbane, said she was "shocked" at Warne's sudden passing.
"The whole world knew Shane Warne - he was a rockstar who could spin a ball."
A two-way stage was set up on the ground, with large screens on either side.
The MCG scoreboards were also being used as part of the broadcast.
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REMEMBERING A LEGEND
About 500 seats were reserved for dignitaries, including Aussie Prime Minister Scott Morrison who flew down from Canberra.
Fans were seated on both sides of the ground, with the majority of the crowd in the members and Ponsford stands.
The set up was to allow best viewing for a spectacular lights that took place at the end of the two-hour service when the Great Southern Stand was officially renamed after the legendary cricketer.
Earlier in the day, Guy Lavender, the chief executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club (Lord's) laid a wreath at Warne's statue.
He had travelled from London to attend, representing the UK cricket community.
Warney's heartbroken family bid farewell to the spinner 10 days ago in his home city of Melbourne.
Warne, widely considered one of the finest bowlers of all time, died suddenly earlier this month aged 52.
He had been on holiday on the Thai resort island of Koh Samui when tragedy struck.
About 80 people attended the service, including retired Australian Test captains Mark Taylor, Allan Border and Michael Clarke.
Warne captained the Australia national team in One Day Internationals and was widely considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history.
He played domestic cricket for his home state of Victoria and English domestic cricket for Hampshire.
He was captain of Hampshire for three seasons from 2005 to 2007 and played his first Test match in 1992, going on to take over 1,000 international wickets.
Perhaps the most-viewed cricket clip of all time, Warne’s Ball of the Century at Old Trafford in 1993 was the start of the leg-spinner’s legend.
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His very first delivery in Ashes cricket swerved in the air, landed outside Mike Gatting’s leg stump and turned so savagely that it clipped the top of off stump.
Australia won the match and clinched the Ashes.
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