Shane Warne’s heartbreaking Liz Hurley comment with actress grieving | Cricket | Sport

British model and actress Elizabeth Hurley has opened up about the emotional toll of the heartbreaking death of former fiance and Australian cricket icon Shane Warne. The ‘King of Spin’ concluded his illustrious career with 145 Test matches and 708 wickets but passed away unexpectedly in 2022 aged 52 following a heart attack whilst on holiday in Thailand.

Hurley, now 60, started her romance with the legendary leg-spinner in 2010 whilst still wed to Indian businessman Arun Nayar. The pair became engaged twelve months later following Hurley’s divorce filing, with their high-profile relationship drawing considerable media scrutiny before they cordially separated in 2013.

Despite their breakup, Warne later spoke warmly about their romance. Four years prior to his passing, the wrist-spinner disclosed that his period with Hurley represented his happiest chapter, telling the Mirror: «I was more in love with Elizabeth than I’d realised I could be. I miss the love we had. My years with Elizabeth were the happiest of my life.»

Following the cricket icon’s death, Hurley posted on social media to honour her «beloved lionheart», describing Warne as «one of the best men I’ve ever known». Her film director son Damian confessed his «heart is broken» and disclosed that Warne, universally considered among cricket’s finest bowlers, had served as «a father figure for most of my formative years».

While promoting her son’s directorial debut Strictly Confidential in an interview with The Telegraph, Hurley shared: «We have suffered loss. And interestingly, this movie sort of pulls on those feelings of loss quite a lot – and in a lot of Damian’s work I do see that.

«Yes, it’s a bond…It was appalling losing Shane, it was a terrible thing. And it’s a sadness, you know, that stays with you a long time.

«I know as we get older we’re going to experience more and more loss, but Damian as a young man has experienced probably more than most and I think it does affect you. I think it affects his writing and it does affect him as an artist.»

Last November, Hurley journeyed to Australia for a poignant reunion with Warne’s family. Speaking on the Travel Secrets podcast, she revealed: «Last November we went to the Melbourne Cup and it was the first time I’d been back to Melbourne since Shane died.

«We knew it was going to be a very traumatic trip so we linked it into going racing and also an opportunity to get some closure in other ways.»

Unable to attend her former fiancé’s state funeral in 2022 due to professional and travel obligations, Hurley used the visit to reconnect with Warne’s loved ones including his parents, brother and three children – Brooke, Jackson and Summer – from his marriage to yoga instructor Simone Callahan.

«All his family are there [in Melbourne],» Hurley added. «So I could see his mum and dad and brother, and it was the first time I’ve seen them since. I’ve seen the kids before because they’ve come to England.

«Going back was very bittersweet. I got very upset, but then I was very glad that I went. And I know when I next go back to Australia, I’ll be fine.»