Robbie Williams, 48, ‘terrified’ of death after pal Shane Warne died unexpectedly aged 52

ROBBIE Williams has been left "stunned" at the "difficulties" in finding an actor to play the younger version of him in his new biopic. The Rock DJ legend, 48, who hails from Stoke-on-Trent, is struggling to find someone with an appropriate Stokie twang and demeanour to pull off his teenage antics on-screen.

Robbie Williams is 'struggling' to find an actor who can play a younger version of him in a biopic about his life.Better Man is the name of the biopic about the Take That singer's life, and the production team behind it have been looking for the right person to play the role of a young Robbie in his early stages of life – but this has been more of a challenge than they anticipated.Speaking to the Mirror, an insider revealed: "Michael [the director] and Robbie held top-secret auditions to find a star to play the young Robbie recently."They didn’t meet anyone they were confident could pull it off."Before adding that: "Robbie is stunned at how difficult the project has been to get made. And now he’s starting to worry it’s never going to make it to the big screen and he’ll look foolish for hyping it up."Better Man will take an in-depth look into Robbie's turbulent life – from his rise to international fame and the demons he had battled.Hollywood is apparently excited about this new biographical movie – especially after the huge success from Elton John's Rocketman and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.In another chat with the Mirror, a source revealed that Robbie could crack America with Better Man.The source revealed that "it may really cut through to US audiences" adding that it "will really resonate with people, even those in America who may not know much about Robbie himself."Better Man is directed and co-written by Michael Gracey who worked on The Greatest Showman and filming was scheduled to take place early this year at the Docklands Studios in Melbourne.It is reported that the singing sensation is due to fly out to Australia to film some scenes very soon.

HEARTBROKEN Liz Hurley put on a brave face today as she filmed an upcoming movie that prevented her from attending ex Shane Warne's funeral in Australia. The actress, 56, was spotted looking downcast on the London set of the film Christmas in The Caribbean, where she was comforted by her son Damian who held her hand. In between takes for the festive flick, which is filming in the capital before moving to the Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis, Liz looked understandably sombre.

Cricket legend Shane Warne's family paid tribute to him as friends, celebrities and those closest the Australian icon gathered pay their final respects.

"And now he’s starting to worry it’s never going to make it to the big screen and he’ll look foolish for hyping it up."However, the upcoming movie has not been put on hold, with Robbie set to jet to Australia to film the concert for the film very soon.The project will follow the singer on his rise to fame and the demons he battled both on and off the stage.Insiders believe it could help Robbie big in America, after struggling to make it big, despite success in Europe when he first went solo.A source previously told The Mirror: "Early indications are that it may really cut through to US audiences, not least as the people in place on it have such pedigree."Movie chiefs think the script – essentially a stirring story about an underdog catapulted to fame – will really resonate with people, even those in America who may not know much about Robbie himself."It was announced in December that producers would begin filming in Melbourne in early 2022.Director Gracey said in a statement: "To tell Robbie Williams' beautiful, distinct story, back home, in my own city, is a dream come true."There is a creative energy that burns across the Melbourne film industry, and I know this movie will thrive here.Robbie found fame as a teenager as a member of Take That and found wider success when he went solo in 1996.His hits include Angels, Candy, Rock DJ, Freedom, and Let Me Entertain You, to name a few.He has received a record 18 Brit Awards, eight German ECHO Awards and three MTV European Music Awards.After a 15-year break from Take That, Robbie rejoined in 2010 to co-write and perform vocals on the album Progress.This album became the second fastest selling album in UK chart history and the fastest-selling record of all time.Robbie started

Shane Warne's funeral as son Jackson and daughter Summer kissed their dad's coffin as they said their goodbyes.Warne passed away on March 4 after suffering a heart attack while holidaying with some pals in Thailand. Friends and family poured into the St Kilda Football ground, Melbourne, on Sunday to say one last goodbye to the 'King of the Spin'.Jackson Warne, 22, who looked the spitting image of his dad, kissed the coffin as the procession come to end as 'The Best' by Tina Turner began to play.

Shane Warne was laid to rest at a private funeral on Sunday, with his loved ones seen paying respects at the service in Melbourne, Australia. The legendary cricketer died suddenly on March 5 at the age of 52 following a suspected heart attack. An autopsy later revealed he died from ‘natural causes’. On Sunday, his family and friends were seen at the St Kilda Football ground where they attended a private funeral service. There were emotional scenes as his children, including son Jackson, 23, and daughter Brooke, 24, pictured gently kissing his casket at the end of a procession where Tina Turner’s hit song The Best played in the background. Warne’s casket, which was draped in a St Kilda Saints scarf, was carried out by Jackson, Shane’s brother Jason and others, while his daughter Summer, 20, was seen in tears at the end of the service. Other music that featured during the ceremony included Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, and Fix You by Coldplay. Guests, many of who wore St Kilda Saints scarves around their necks in honour of Warne’s favourite AFL team, were seen raising glasses as the casket was transported back to the hearse. Celebrity guests included Dannii Minogue, Michael Clarke and Merv Hughes, while his ex-wife Simon Callahan was also in attendance to pay her respects and support the children she shares with the late sports icon. A state memorial is scheduled to take place on March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, so that the wider public can pay their respects.

Shane Warne's children have given him an emotional goodbye as they were photographed kissing his coffin during his funeral on Sunday.The cricket legend was just 52 when he passed away earlier this month, following a suspected heart attack. Shane leaves behind his ex-wife Simone Callahan and their three children Brooke, 24, Jackson, 23, and Summer, 20.

Shane Warne's closest friends and family gathered on Sunday to bid farewell to the cricket star following his death earlier this month.MORE: Elizabeth Hurley left emotional after being forced to miss Shane Warne's funeralThe sporting icon and father-of-three passed away during a holiday in Thailand of natural causes, aged just 52.WATCH: A look back at cricket legend Shane Warne's lifeA total of 80 guests, including Shane's ex-wife Simone Callahan, their three children, Jackson, Summer and Brooke, as well as his parents and brother all gathered at St Kilda Football Club in Melbourne for a private service.READ: Shane Warne's cause of death revealed as his three children and ex-wife break their silenceRELATED: Elizabeth Hurley pens heartbreaking tribute to ex-fiance Shane Warne after shock deathGuests were invited to wear St Kilda scarves and two scarves were draped across Shane's coffin as it was driven around the oval to the sound of the 1970s Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes' hit The Time of My Life. Simone and friends raised a glass for ShaneTwo other songs played during the outdoor part of the service, Fix You by Coldplay and Simply The Best by Tina Turner.The lap of honour was immediately followed by a champagne toast and ex-wife Simone could be seen smiling whilst lifting her glass.It was an emotional day for Shane's children as his youngest daughter Summer, 20, was in tears during the service and his only son Jackson was pictured kissing his coffin as the procession ended.

Liz Hurley has shared her heartache after finding herself unable to attend the funeral of ex-husband Shane Warne.The cricket legend died earlier this month at the age of 52 from a suspected heart attack.Taking to Instagram, Liz - who was in a relationship with Shane between 2010 and 2013 - shared a photo from their engagement and wrote: “My heart aches that I can’t be in Australia tomorrow for Shane’s funeral. “I was filming last night and, with the time jump, physically can’t get there.These pictures were taken in Sri Lanka to celebrate our engagement- we had all our children with us and it was the happiest time.

Elizabeth Hurley has spoken of her heartbreak after the actress will be forced to miss the funeral of her ex-fiancé, Shane Warne.READ: Elizabeth Hurley reacts as Shane Warne’s ex-wife is comforted by children in new photoThe cricket legend passed away earlier this month from natural causes and Elizabeth previously paid tribute to her "lionheart". Taking to Instagram on Saturday, she shared several photos from their engagement and explained that was going to miss his funeral, which will be held on Sunday.

Liz Hurley has taken to Instagram to tell of her heartache at missing her ex-fiance Shane Warne's funeral, two weeks after his death from a suspected heart attack at the age of 52.The model, 56, shared a series of snaps from her engagement shoot to the legendary cricketer, as she revealed that work commitments combined with the time difference made it impossible to attend the sporting star's funeral in Australia.Liz posted a string of love-up pictures of her and Shane at the beach as she told of her heartbreak at not being able to say goodbye to her ex-fiance for the last time.She told her 2.3 million followers: "My heart aches that I can’t be in Australia tomorrow for Shane’s funeral."I was filming last night and, with the time jump, physically can’t get there."These pictures were taken in Sri Lanka to celebrate our engagement - we had all our children with us and it was the happiest time," the model added.A post shared by Elizabeth Hurley (@elizabethhurley1)Liz went on: "It still hasn’t really sunk in that he’s gone."It seems too cruel that all the people who loved him will never have another Lion hug, but our memories will live forever."RIP Lionheart, with love your Luna," she ended her post.Following the star's post, Liz was soon inundated with messages of support from her celebrity friends.Ladies of London star Caroline Stanbury simply left a sad face emoji.While Susannah Constantine penned: "Sending love my darling," followed by a red heart.Actress Ever Carradine also left a heart emoji.Following the cricket star's death at the start of March, Liz took to Instagram to tell of heartbreak at losing him.She wrote: "I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever.

Liz Hurley has been forced to miss the funeral of her late ex Shane Warne following an unfortunate scheduling conflict.The star posted a tribute on Instagram on Saturday as she shared a series of photos from when they announced their engagement in 2011.Liz wrote: "My heart aches that I can't be in Australia tomorrow for Shane's funeral. I was filming last night and, with the time jump, physically can't get there.""These pictures were taken in Sri Lanka to celebrate our engagement - we had all our children with us and it was the happiest time.

Ed Sheeran revealed he was told about his longtime friend Shane Warne’s death by paparazzi who flagged him down in the street. The Bad Habits singer, 31, had been leaving court where he is fighting to prove he did not copy the song Oh Why by Sami Chokri and his co-author Ross O’Donoghue, when he was questioned about Warne’s death by a paparazzo. Sheeran told Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy that that was the moment he found out the cricket legend had died suddenly at the age of 52.He explained: ‘It’s been a weird month, I lost my best friend Jamal [Edwards] at the end of February and then I know I can’t talk about it but I started this thing that’s been heavily publicised that I’m going in [to court for] every day. ‘I came out of court on the first day to a paparazzi saying, “Hey, what do you think of your friend Shane dying?”‘It’s just a very, very weird time. I feel I haven’t quite been able to process or grieve anything… It’s really, really sad.’Sheeran added: ‘I love Shane and I have an amazing last memory of me and him at a Coldplay gig together and I’m grateful for all the memories I do have and I’m sad about all the memories I won’t make any more.’Explaining how he met Warne, Sheeran previously told The Project: ‘We met in 2014, when I was doing the Logies.

Robbie Williams has been sober for 20 years now, having struggled with addiction in the past. But he is still concerned about the impact it could have on his family.MORE: Robbie Williams reveals family has nowhere to live after selling lavish homesThe Angels singer shares four children – Teddy, nine, Charlie, seven, Coco, three, and two-year-old Beau – with his wife Ayda Field and has now expressed his concern that they could inherit his issues with addiction.WATCH: Robbie Williams reads his daughter a bedtime story in FrenchAppearing on the Bought The T-Shirt podcast, Robbie reflected on the path that led to him entering rehab.

"I don’t want to do anything about it, I’m just finding it interesting as a sober person of 46, we didn’t need to do that.

Robbie Williams believes he could astral project his soul as a child and leave his body.The Angels warbler’s first vivid memory is having an out-of-body experience where his spirit was separated from his physical form and he was floating above his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent.He said: "My first memory of being a child, we lived in a pub until I was four years old, so I can differentiate when my memories started."My first memory is astral project in a dream state, floating off around the town."That’s my first memory."His experience and some research he has done has led Robbie to believe that the physical human body is nothing more than an avatar.He told the Bought The T-Shirt Podcast: "This is an avatar, the Robbie Williams. I believe this is an avatar.

Ed Sheeran gave another emotional tribute to late friend and cricket legend Shane Warne as he appeared on Australian TV show The Project on Wednesday 16 March. Shane tragically died on 4 March aged 52 after suffering a fatal a heart attack while on a trip in Koh Samui, Thailand, fans were devastated to learn along with his family and friends.

Elizabeth Hurley expressed her continued support for late cricketer Shane Warne's family in a sweet gesture on social media this week.Shane's eldest daughter Brooke posted a heart-warming photo to Instagram that showed her with her mum and siblings standing in front of Shane's statue outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.SEE: Damian Hurley pays tribute to heartbroken mum Elizabeth Hurley following shock deathShane shared Brooke, 24, younger daughter Summer, 19, and son Jackson, 22, with his ex-wife Simone Callahan.The family smiled with gratitude at the outpouring of love they've received since the retired cricketer's sudden death less than two weeks ago.WATCH: A look back at cricket legend Shane Warne's lifeThat love was evident in the flowers, balloons and gifts that fans had left in front of the statue, which included a jar of Vegemite. MORE: Damian Hurley pens emotional tribute following death of 'father figure' Shane WarneREAD: Elton John pays heartbreaking tribute after 'tragic' death of 'magical' Shane WarneThe yeast spread on toast, a classic Australian snack, was reported to have been Shane's last meal. Shane's children and ex-wife thanked fans for their supportBrooke sweetly captioned the image: "We are so grateful for everyone’s support, the messages and love we have received is so special and touching, everyone's support around our Dad's statue is beyond heart-warming thank you.

Shane Warne’s children have visited a statue of him outside the Melbourne cricket stadium alongside their mother, Shane’s ex-wife, Simone Callehan. The world-renowned cricketer died suddenlyat the beginning of the month at the age of 52, leaving behind his kids Summer, 20, Jackson, 22, and Brooke, 24. Simone and Shane were married for 10 years, between 1995 and 2005.

Robbie Williams has said he may finally bite the bullet and start wearing a wig. The flamboyant singer has been open about his hair issues in the past and his latest hair transplant has been a fail.The 48 year old has also tried hair follicle injections in a bid to get his mane back to its former glory.