Good evening, Mostafa Rachwani with you to take you through Shane Warne’s memorial service at the hallowed MCG.
We are expecting tens of thousands of mourners and fans to attend tonight, in addition to a raft of celebrity guests including Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, James Packer, Eric Bana, Greg Norman and Kelly Slater. Everyone will be paying their respects to the great man who died suddenly of a heart attack in Thailand earlier this month.
© Provided by The Guardian Cricket referee and former Australian cricketer David Boon arrives at the MCG. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Television personality Eddie McGuire’s production company has put the event together and he will be hosting the memorial.
A number of local and international musical acts are expected to perform both live in-person and with prerecorded songs including Elton John, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran.
Jon Stevens is set to front a band playing a medley of Warne’s favourite INXS and Noiseworks songs while Anthony Callea will also sing.
Warne’s father, Keith, is expected to give a speech. Warne’s three children and his brother, Jason, will also be in attendance.
The scale of the memorial reflects how much Warne meant to people here in Australia and around the world.
The memorial is due to begin at 7pm local time (in about 45 minutes) and will run for more than two hours. Stick around for reactions and live updates as we celebrate the life and times of Warnie.