Still grieving his unexpected death in March aged 52, Shane Warne’s children are holding each other tight as they prepare to face their first Christmas without “the best dad ever”.
WATCH: Shane Warne’s daughter, Summer, speaks at his memorial. Article continues after video.
In a new interview, the late cricketing great’s ex-wife, Simone Callahan, admitted the kids she shared with Warnie – Brooke, 24, Jackson, 23, “The grief that we’re dealing with, it’s still fresh and it’s fluid,” Simone, 52, told the Herald Sun newspaper. “It never goes away. It’s hard because it’s something I never expected would happen.
“We’re getting there and doing our best. The kids have got to keep living and moving forward.”
Simone was married to Shane for six years before divorcing in 2005 and tried numerous times to save their marriage. She now admits her role as sole parent is “complicated” because Shane was “always there for the kids”.
Celebrating special occasions without Warnie is something his family are still adjusting to. Since his shock passing, they’ve mustered the strength to get through Father’s Day, as well as what would have been Shane’s 53rd birthday on September 13.
On Father’s Day, all three Warne kids took to social media to post tributes to their larrikin old man.
Jackson shared the last photo he and Shane took together, writing: “Miss ya mate,” while Summer wrote: “I miss you more than anything in the world.”
Brooke’s heartfelt tribute included a photo of Shane smiling with his arms wrapped around her. Referring to the Spin King as “the best dad on Earth and in heaven” and “our shining star”, Brooke heartbreakingly added, “missing your dad hugs extra today”. It’s a sentiment she and her siblings will no doubt feel again on Christmas Day.
Family, friends and millions of Warnie fans have been awestruck at the composure the Warne siblings have shown following Shane’s death from a heart attack on March 4 during a holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand.
That poise was once again on display last week, when Shane was posthumously elevated to Legend status by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. He had previously been inducted onto the list in 2009.
Brooke, Jackson and Summer proudly accepted the honour on their dad’s behalf, with Brooke saying it was “awesome” that their dear dad was now officially known as a legend.
WATCH: Robbie Williams starts ‘Warnie’ chant while on stage. Article continues after video.
Yet the day was also bittersweet. The close-knit siblings revealed they canno longer watch cricket, as their dad isn’t around to commentate. They also said they’re unlikely to attend this year’s Boxing Day Test at the MCG as it’s still too soon.
“Now when I’m sort of listening to cricket it’s … that missing voice that I can’t hear anymore,” Jackson said. “Cricket was his sport and I think it doesn’t feel really right without him there.”
