England cricket legend Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff has paid tribute to his former rival Shane Warne, following the Australia leg-spinner's tragic death back in March.
Warne passed away at the age of just 52 after suffering a heart attack while on holiday in Thailand. And Flintoff has said the news of Warne's death "hit me like a sledgehammer", with the pair becoming close friends off the field after facing each other in two memorable Ashes series.
In an interview with the Times, Flintoff has recalled hearing about Warne's passing while filming BBC series Top Gear. "It hit me like a sledgehammer," he said. "It was terrible news. Devastating. I was filming Top Gear in Norway."
Flintoff also described Warne as "someone that was so much fun to be around". He added: "I just loved him.
"He played the game almost perfectly for me and he had this infectious charisma. The sad thing is that, although I played against him, I was just getting to know him as a bloke, spending time in his company.
"He couldn't help but make you smile, someone that was so much fun to be around.
"It does make you think of your own mortality. I saw him last year having a laugh with another mate of mine and a couple of lads and he was just holding court as he does.
"It was such a good day. I never thought it would be the last time I saw him."
A state memorial service was held for Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which featured emotional speeches from his family, musical performances from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sir Elton John, and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and ended with Warne's three children unveiling the new Shane Warne Stand.
