A plan to make a Shane Warne television drama is “beyond disrespectful” according to his heartbroken daughter.
The cricket icon sadly passed away in March of this year at the age of 52 after suffering a suspected heart attack whilst holidaying on the Thai island of Ko Samui. Australia’s Nine Network, for whom Warne worked as a commentator for more than 20 years, are now reportedly planning to produce a two-part film titled Warne, which they say will serve as a fitting tribute to him.
However, with work on the project said to have started just weeks after his death, Warne’s family have criticised the move, labelling it insensitive and calling for it to be scrapped.
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His daughter Brooke Warne has now taken to Instagram to criticise the project and stated: “Do any of you have any respect for Dad? Or his family? Who did so much for Channel Nine and now you want to dramatise his life and our families (sic) life 6 months after he passed away? You are beyond disrespectful.”
Her comments come after Warne’s long-time manager James Erskine also slammed the decision to produce the mini-series back in June.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, he said: “He’s only been dead for a couple of months and for them to turn this around and think about doing some sensational thing, well they should be ashamed of themselves.”
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
A Nine spokesperson told Guardian Australia on Thursday that the mini-series will be a celebration of the life of “a man who lived life large and loved passionately”.
“We have enormous respect for Shane and all his achievements,” they explained. “And our hope is all Australians including Warnie’s family will feel the programme honours his legacy and life.”
Casting details for the television mini-series are yet to be announced, with Nine understood to be planning to air the film in Australia over two nights next year.
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