Yesterday morning Shane Warne contacted me via SMS. He was responding to my tweet about Vladimir Putin holding the entire world hostage over nuclear weapons. "When did we become so pathetically spineless when it comes to nasty little bullies?"

Warnie agreed, "Spot on mate!" It was a surprising response from a man who has never shied away from a fight on or off the cricket field.

He had been in touch with me for the past two weeks because I was in Australia. We were trying to arrange a round in Melbourne and dinner, but it never happened due unseasonably poor weather that kept me in Sydney.

I will never again play golf with my best friend or have dinner with him. He also won't let me enjoy his candid, funny, and sometimes very sad stream of consciousness via WhatsApp.

The news of Shane's passing hit me like a punch, as it will do so many people around the globe.

He was a one-off, a blond-haired, mischievous, competitive, restless, mischievous and ferociously competitive, huge-hearted, cigar-chomping.

He was also a genius at cricket, and I consider him the greatest ever bowler. His huge and skillful spinning fingers caused the ball to do things that would humiliate any of the best batsmen.

His unique talent and irrepressible personality made him the most famous cricketer, making him one of very few people to be household-name celebrities, along with Sir Ian Botham, Freddie Flintoff and Freddie Flintoff.

This is why there has been so much love, respect and shock since his tragically untimely death at 52.

Shane loved the limelight and the limelight loved Shane - even though it sometimes dragged him through the controversy mincer.

Although his headline-grabbing, love life with Elizabeth Hurley didn't win him any husband of the year awards, he admitted that he found women irresistible. They often felt the same way about the rugged, twinkle-eyed and resolutely masculine man.

One of the most hilarious things I've ever seen was Bruno Tonioli, gay judge on Strictly come Dancing, suggesting to Shane at a charity dinner that he might be interested in "crossing to another side" for the evening.

Warney, flustered, said, "No chance!"

Shane's attitude of life, "go big or go home" was very similar to Charlie Sheen, a hellraiser actor.

They met when Shane and Sheen were interviewed in a London theatre.

Charlie chuckled, "I hear that you're great... Is it 'bowler?

Shane laughed, "Correct!"

"He's also one of the few men alive who can see your lifestyle and say, ‘Lightweight’," I said.

Charlie scoffed, "Oh really?" Charlie scoffed, "Maybe that theory should be tested?"

After chatting for a while, they became like long-lost siblings, and then Shane moved on to his seat in the audience.

Charlie asked me, towards the end of the interview: "Which famous women would you most like seduce?"

He replied, "Oh, that hot English woman," "What's her name... Liz Hurley!"

"That's awkward considering her ex, Shane is in the audience," I responded to the huge laughter of the crowd. "Especially since you met him in the dressing room earlier."

Charlie was shocked.

"HE'S her EX?"

"He is..."

He yelled at Shane, "Oh man!"

Shane sent me a text a few minutes later to say, "What a classic!" This kind of s**t happens only to me, hahaha!

Actually, this kind of s**t happened quite often to Shane because of his enthusiasm for it like a Labrador hyperactive.

Shane was the most fun-loving person I have ever met over his 52 years.

He said that he still has a big child inside of him who loves to have fun when he was interviewed by GQ magazine. Although I love my family and my cricket, I also feel passionately about it. But, I admit that I am still a child and may need to learn how to be a grown-up. It's not about practicing, it's all about having fun.

Shane didn't grow up because he never wanted to.

My God, he was a joy to be around for 52 years.

He was, despite his marital shortcomings, a loving father to his children, a great son to his parents and a friend who was kind, generous, and loyal to all.

When I quit Good Morning Britain one year ago, I was furious that I had lost my job because I held an opinion. He texted me to tell me: "Congratulations on the verdict, Mate, keep smashing all idiots and holding them responsible - love it!"

(Like me Shane was deeply opposed to the cancel culture, woke brigade whining snowflakes and lying politicians.

He'd do anything for you if he said so, always smiling and with plenty of time for everyone.

He was a regular in my annual cricket match against Newick, Sussex. Both times he spent hours signing autographs, taking selfies, and talking to delighted locals. He showed no mercy to the village team and celebrated our victory like we had won the Ashes.

Shane was a brilliant sledger, and he was admired for his quick wit.

Daryll Cullinan, a South African batsman, once foolishly confessed in an interview that Warne beat him so badly during one series that he sought psychiatric treatment.

Cullinan said confidently, "It made it clear to me that it's important for the ball to be played not by the man."

Shane asked Daryll what color was the couch when they were next playing each other. Because I'm sending it right back to you.

He was last seen in Scotland at the Dunhill Links pro am golf tournament.

He stormed onto the stage and belted out a wild rendition of Satisfaction from the Rolling Stones

Shane, an avid amateur who was incredibly keen, made it to the last day. However, his idea of preparation was to party until 5am, fueled by Red Bulls vodka Red Bulls. "Bring me another one every eight minutes until my fall over!" he told a waiter at midnight.

He stormed onto the stage at 3am to belt out Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones. He gave it the full Jagger hip-wiggles and shook the microphone.

He played his best round the next day after only two hours of sleep and a hangover. He holled birdie after birdie and outscored his pro, almost winning the team competition.

"How in the hell did that happen given your current state?" I texted him.

He replied, "Hahahaha, I don't know!"

Sporting greats don't look like everyone else.

Shane Warne was, in particular, not made like us.

Allan Lamb, England's cricket legend, said it best: "He never had to take his foot off of the pedal!"

He's gone too soon, and I am devastated.

He was exhilarating, unpredictable, and entertaining, and I loved every minute of it. How many people can say that?

RIP Warnie.

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