Elton John and Kylie Minogue are among the celebrities who have paid tribute to Shane Warne at his state memorial in Melbourne.
A state memorial service was held at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday for the Australian cricket legend, who died earlier this month of a suspected heart attack in Thailand.
In a touching performance, Elton John sang ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ via video link in dedication to Warne’s children, Brooke, Summer and Jackson.
He described Warne was “probably one of the greatest sportsman ever”.
Singer Kylie Minogue told the crowd that Warne’s “light will continue to burn bright in our memories forever more”.
In a poignant tribute to late sportsman, Kylie described Warne as having “star quality and charisma that the world got to know and love” and that it “was the same on the doorstep” as it was on the cricket field.
Actor Hugh Jackman, in a pre-recorded tribute, said: “There’s no one like you, Warney - and there never will be again.”
Stars from the music world also paid tribute to Warne. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin sent in a recorded video from central America.
In it, he said “chaos and Shane were good friends” before performing an acoustic version of the band’s song Yellow. He signed off: “We’re gonna miss you”.
Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran played Warne’s “favourite song”, Thinking Out Loud, and said: “Shane was an incredible human to me and every single person that he came across. I’ve just got such wonderful stories of him.
And Robbie Williams sang his record ‘Angels’, with photos of Warne and his three children accompanying the song.
During his state memorial, members of Warne’s family gave heartfelt tributes to the cricket legend.
Warne’s dad Keith described March 4 as the “darkest day in our family’s life”.
He said: “It was a day that our son, Shane Keith Warne, was tragically and suddenly taken from us.
“Our family loss of a loved son, a loving brother to Jason and a devoted father to Brooke, Jackson and Summer.
“The world lost a much-loved cricketing legend whose feats on and off the cricket field will go down in history for all time.
“Looking forward to a future without Shane is inconceivable.
“We do take comfort in knowing that Shane packed more in his life of 52 years, five months and 19 days than most people would in two lifetimes.”
During the service, Warne’s children Summer, Jackson and Brooke were applauded to the stage as the song ‘Summer of 69’ rang around the MCG stadium.
Summer said: “It has been exactly 26 days since you went to heaven and I miss you more than anything in the whole world.
“I would do anything just to have one more of your cuddles and to hear your voice tell me how proud of me you were and how much you loved me.
“I know you will be forever watching me and be by my side the whole time. I will cherish the 20 years of memories we have and I’m reunited with you again. I want to say thank you Dad.
“You will always live forever inside my heart, Dad, and I will continue your legacy. Forever my Dad, no matter where you are. May you now rest in eternal paradise, I love you so unconditionally much.”
Warne died on March 4, aged 52. The results of an autopsy revealed his death was due to natural causes.
