So much has happened in the five years since they ended their relationship but now Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne have sparked fresh rumours they’re ready to give their romance another shot.
After reconnecting in London, Woman’s Day spies can reveal the pair have been flirting up a storm over text messages, marathon phone conversations and, most recently, they took their flirtfest to Instagram.
When the Australian cricketing legend shared photos to mark his 49th birthday on September 13, the Estee Lauder model made a cheeky comment followed by several kissing emojis – and ladies’ man Shane sent the same response back.
The father-of-three also penned a touching tribute to the actress in honour of her turning 53 in June.
“Happy birthday to my ex-fiancee & yes – still a very close & dear friend,” he wrote on social media.
The former cricketer shared this photo of the couple in happier times on Instagram for her 53rd birthday in June.
And now the mother to 16-year-old Damian – whose father is Liz’s former partner, American businessman Steve Bing – and the sports star appear to be getting reacquainted. Friends are starting to think they’re picking up where they left off!
“Liz and Shane ended things because the distance became too difficult, but that doesn’t mean the feelings weren’t there. They had an amazing connection and that’s never totally gone away,” a friend close to the pair dishes.
“Shane has always carried a torch for Liz. She was the one that got away and it seems like she feels the same.”
Want more celeb goss? Listen to the latest episode of the Woman’s Day Uncensored Podcast, where chat about Sophie Delezio’s year 12 formal, Andrew O’Keefe’s downward spiral and how Woman’s Day obtained this week’s most shocking photographs.
Shane announced a separation from his wife of 10 years, Simone Callahan – who he shares three kids, Brooke, 20, Summer, 16 and Jackson, 19, with – after he was seen kissing Elizabeth in 2010. The couple got engaged the following year but confirmed their relationship had come to an end in 2013, although the King of Spin maintains they’ve always remained close.
READ MORE: Simone Callahan reflects on her marriage to ex Shane Warne.
The British beauty is also known for keeping up firm friendships with her exes, including Hugh Grant, who she dated for 13 years and is godfather to her son.
But it seems her bond with Hugh put a strain on her engagement to Shane, and the sports star actually admitted he grew frustrated when the actor came over for sleepovers while he was out of town.
Liz Hurley and Hugh Grant were couple goals in the 1990s.
“It’s hard on your new relationship when you’re really good friends with the exes. Elizabeth was good friends with Hugh, who is like her best friend,” he said.
“When I used to go back to Australia, if she wasn’t leaving London, he’d come and spend the weekend at the house.”
But Shane added, “Contrary to what anyone writes, I didn’t do anything wrong, she didn’t do anything wrong, it all just got too hard.”
Now it remains to be seen if Shane will be able to cope this time round with Liz’s platonic affections towards her exes.
Watch the video below to hear Shane talk about Liz and Hugh Grant on I’m A Celebrity.
Also among Liz’s male entourage of mates is her ex-husband, Indian textile heir Arun Nayar, 53, who helped raise her son during their four-year marriage.
Liz and Damian recently enjoyed a getaway to Mykonos with the businessman and his new girlfriend.
But despite the challenges he may face, Shane’s close friends are confident he could still have a shot with The Royals star.
“If this is how flirty they are openly on Instagram, people can only wonder what their private messages must be like! Liz and Shane were great together and totally in love, but they just weren’t in the right place in their lives for it to work out,” says a reliable insider.
“Now, it seems like the timing could finally be right. Liz hasn’t had the best fortune when it comes to her past romances, but her luck may be turning around!”
