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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Seamus Duff

Shane Warne's children kiss his coffin at funeral as stars gather to send off cricket icon

The family of cricket legend Shane Warne paid tribute to him as friends, celebrities and those closest to the star gathered to bid him farewell.

The sporting icon passed away earlier this month following a suspected heart attack and he was aged just 52 when he died.

The Australian sport star leaves behind 52-year-old ex-wife Simone Callahan, who he was married to from 1995 to 2005, and their three children; 23-year-old son Jackson and daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20.

Emotional scenes were captured as Shane’s family and friends watched a procession at St Kilda Football ground in Melbourne on Sunday.

Family and friends attend the funeral service for Shane Warne (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

His son, Jackson, was seen affectionately kissing the coffin of his late father as the procession ended, while the Tina Turner classic song The Best played in the background.

Shane’s coffin was draped in a St Kilda Saints scarf, while Jackson, Shane’s brother Jason and other carried the star’s coffin during Sunday’s service.

A funeral program from private memorial service for the cricket star (AFP via Getty Images)

The sport star’s youngest daughter, Summer, was in tears as the service came to an end, while his oldest daughter, Brooke, watched from behind a pair of sunglasses.

Other music that was played during the intimate funeral included (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, and Fix You by Coldplay.

Shane's coffin is carried out towards the cricket lawn (Getty Images)

Those in attendance raised glasses as the hearse drove Shane’s coffin around the grounds.

While a dress code included guests wearing St Kilda Saints scarves in a nod to Shane’s favourite AFL team.

Celebrities including Dannii Minogue, Michael Clarke and Merv Hughes were in attendance, joining the Warne family as they paid their final respects to the sport star.

Simone Callahan and other guests give cheers to Shane Warne at St Kilda Football Club (Getty Images)

Former fiancée Elizabeth Hurley had already explained that she was sadly unable to attend Sunday’s ceremony as work commitments kept her away from Australia.

Sharing a string of photos of the star on her Instagram page on Saturday, the heartbroken actress wrote: "My heart aches that I can’t be in Australia tomorrow for Shane’s funeral.

"I was filming last night and, with the time jump, physically can’t get there. These pictures were taken in Sri Lanka to celebrate our engagement- we had all our children with us and it was the happiest time.

Shane leaves behind three children including daughter Brooke and son Jackson (Getty Images)
Shane Warne with his two children (Popperfoto via Getty Images)

"It still hasn’t really sunk in that he’s gone. It seems too cruel that all the people who loved him will never have another Lion hug, but our memories will live forever.

"RIP Lionheart, with love your Luna."

The sporting world was shocked on March 4 when it was revealed Shane had suddenly died after arriving in Thailand with friends for a holiday.

Family and friends follow the hearse on a lap of the grounds (Getty Images)

Reports later confirmed the star had died of natural causes.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews revealed soon after the death that the sport star would be given a state funeral at the Melbourne Cricket Ground later this month.

His loved ones comfort one another during the service (Getty Images)

He tweeted: “There's nowhere in the world more appropriate to farewell Warnie than the ‘G.”

The state funeral is expected to take place on March 30.

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