Australians who are known for their straight talking, cannot quite get their heads around the recent transformation in Shane Warne. A cricketing legend, known for so long as one of the lads and loved throughout his home country, has caused consternation since becoming involved with Liz Hurley to whom he is now engaged. A beer swilling rogue has become metro-sexual man and Australians do not like it one bit.

Shane Warne: 2007 version - no longer applicable Photo Moondyne - Wikipedia

Warne has received many awards in his time, but this one is probably the least cherished – for the king of spin is now officially “Un-Australian” of the year. The “award” was handed out by Australia’s lads magazine Zoo.

“Woeful makeover”

“Warnie’s woeful makeover had sealed the deal. He’s a bloke who went from eating baked beans to being the same colour as them. He looks like Teri Hatcher’s stunt double. We’re all for punching above your weight, but you’ve got to go in the ring with the same body you had at the weigh-in,” said Tim Keen, editor of Zoo as quoted in the Daily Mail.

The “accolade” awarded on Thursday confirms the transformation that the overweight genius cricketer-turned-poker superstar has undergone in the past twelve months in the company of the English actress. The slimmed down Warne is unrecognisable now – he is a good two stone lighter than when he got divorced in 2006. Gone is the quintessential Aussie bloke, and in has come the slimline, groomed and tanned Englishman (or the term “Pom” might be more appropriate) who uses female beauty products.

No more stubble for the 42 year old anymore, that’s for sure.

Warnie has even had to deny having had plastic surgery. He is now ridiculed, and seen as an embarrassment to his formerly adoring countrymen. How could things have come to this for an Aussie icon?

In love & more mature

Warne puts it all down to being in love, and being a little more mature.

‘I’m the fittest I have ever been, I’m the happiest I have ever been. I’m healthy, what’s the crime here?’ said Warne recently.

‘I’m not longer the 30-year-old bloke who used to sit in the changing room and have a beer and pies. I’m 42 and maturing now.’

Shane Warnw, Un-Australian of the Year, Zoo News, People