'We had to make out that he couldn't play': Kath and Kim star recalls unique challenge in Warne's cameo
To most of the world, he was Shane Warne. To Kath and Kim fans, he was Wayne Shaun — Shane Warne impersonator-turned-husband of Sharon Strzelecki.
The cricketer's 2007 cameo on the Aussie comedy series didn't escape mention during the memorial service in his honour on Wednesday night.
Glenn Robbins, who played Kel Knight in Kath and Kim, recalled Warne's time on the series to presenter Andy Lee. (Watch above.)
Shane Warne in his 2007 cameo on Kath and Kim. YouTube
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When Lee asked whether Warne was nervous about his foray into acting, Robbins quipped, "Well, he was working with me. I'm Kel Knight, for God's sake — y'know, Shane Warne, Kel Knight, pretty close."
"No, he was fantastic," he continued. "He came on set, just himself, no entourage. He turned up and was so easy to work with, we had so much fun."
WATCH: Shane Warne's unforgettable cameo on Kath and Kim. (Post continues.)
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Robbins recalled the unique challenge of disguising Warne's cricketing talents for the role of Wayne.
"We had to play backyard cricket, and we had to make out that he couldn't play. The problem was even backyard cricket, he could play it really well," he continued.
"And so we said, 'Shane, play left-handed, that will make you look stupid.' He played left-handed, threw the stumps down, took every catch.
Glenn Robbins (far right) recalled his time with Warne on the set of Kath and Kim during Wednesday's memorial. Getty
AS IT HAPPENED: 'Rest easy, king': Shane Warne's memorial as it happens
"Then he gave us a personal lesson on how to bowl 'The Flipper' [one of Warne's signature deliveries] with a tennis ball. That was magical."
Kath and Kim's finale featured a star turn from Warne, with Wayne marrying Sharon Strzelecki, the character made iconic by Magda Szubanski — sealing their union with a spectacular 'pash'.
Following Warne's death on March 4, Szubanski shared her memories of working with Warne on the show in an Instagram tribute.
"When we filmed these immortal scenes Warnie proved that he was not just a great sportsman but also a great sport," she said.
"He played along with our shenanigans and we had loads of fun. He was a great pasher!"
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