Shane Warne flies back to the UK in last-ditch effort to save relationship with fiancée Elizabeth Hurley

Shane Warne will arrive in London on Friday in a bid to 'patch things up' with fiancée Elizabeth Hurley.

The former cricketer, who has remained adamant that he and Elizabeth have not split, despite her Twitter messages suggesting otherwise, flew out of Australia on Thursday with his three children for what he said would be a prolonged holiday.

Arriving at Melbourne airport, the usually chatty Warne made it clear he wasn't going to answer any questions about his relationship with Elizabeth.

Last-ditch attempt: Shane Warne was spotted boarding a flight to London via Abu Dhabi from Melbourne alongside his children on Thursday in a bid to work on his relationship with fiancée Elizabeth Hurley

However, he did say of the trip: 'We're going to have a good time - we're going to be away for ages.'
A friend of the 44-year-old sportsman told Australia's Herald Sun newspaper that Warne had told him he was confident he could patch things up.

The source said: 'The constant travel and work commitments for both Elizabeth and Shane are taking their toll. They have not been able to spend much time together, but they are going to try and work things out.'
And despite claims that Warne's close friendship with ex-wife Simone Callahan is at the root of his relationship issues with Elizabeth, the source insisted Simone has nothing to do with the high profile couple's difficulties.

Not long: Shane will arrive back in the UK on Friday when he will meet up with his fiancée

Mixed messages: Warne's tweets so far have been in almost direct contrast to Elizabeth's, who appeared to confirm the split with her tweet

Complications: Elizabeth Hurley's alleged split from Shane Warne is complicated due to their joint ownership of a £6million mansion

Upfront: The couple paid in cash for Donnington Hall at Ledbury in Herefordshire last September

The friend added: 'Shane and Simone have a civil relationship that revolves around their three children.'

Miss Callahan has been calling around at Warne's beachside mansion in Melbourne - where he had intended setting up home with Miss Hurley - almost daily to visit the children, Brooke, 14, Jackson, 12 and Summer, 10, who have been staying at times with their father.

On Wednesday, when Warne cancelled a media appearance at which he was to 'star', Miss Callahan called around at the house to collect the children and take them to school.

'It's not an unusual event to see her there' said a neighbour.

Family home: The property was not just a love nest but a place for both of their families

On hold?: The couple's plans to renovate the property had been recently accepted

Warne's trip to England comes amid claims that if he and Elizabeth did break up, the split would be complicated by the fact that they own a £6million country estate together. 

The property - Donnington Hall at Ledbury in Herefordshire – which is under both their names was paid for in cash last September.

According to the Mirror neither Liz nor Shane are willing to give up the 13 bedroom property.

A source told the paper: ‘They both love the property so neither would want to relinquish it.’

Just last week reports emerged that the pair had been granted permission to dramatically renovate their love nest.

With plans submitted for a luxurious garden room and a complete interior redecoration, Liz and Shane were hoping Donnington Hall would be fit to house their big family.

High spirits: Shane's ex wife looked in good spirits as she headed out and about on Thursday amid reports she has grown close to Shane once more

The Grade II listed Georgian mansion currently boasts 13 bedrooms, five bathrooms, stables, a private lake and tennis courts, as well as 187 acres of land, 46 of which are parkland and landscaped gardens.

However any work has no doubt been put on hold after as according to Shane they are ‘sorting through some (private) issues’.

On Wednesday the couple sent mixed messages on Twitter in the wake of their alleged split.

While Elizabeth appeared to confirm she and the cricketer were no longer together by telling her followers that the events were 'too raw and personal to share right now', Warne seemed to directly contradict her by insisting that the pair hadn't 'thrown in the towel just yet'.

Shane, 44, had written on Twitter on Wednesday:  'Some of the reports re EH & me r absolute rubbish. Yes, we're sorting through some (private) issues. But we're not throwing the towel in yet.'

Meanwhile, Elizabeth, 48, used Twitter to apologise for her silence on the recent speculation, before stepping out looking chic with a broad smile on her face.

Focused: Elizabeth managed a smile as she left her house on Wednesday following Twitter message

Disappearing acts: Hurley's diamond and sapphire engagement ring (seen right) was noticeably absent from her left hand

Breaking: Shane took to Twitter not long after Liz to rubbish reports

Confirmation: The model sent a message out to her fans on Wednesday morning

'Apologise to loyal followers for Twitter silence on recent events,' she wrote. 'Too raw and personal to share right now'.

Her appearance, which was noticeably without a ring, was in stark contrast to the previous day when she appeared downcast as she emerged for the first time since the news broke.

In addition, Elizabeth swapped the all-black ensemble she had worn on Tuesday for a stylish fitted jacket and skinny jeans, looking in good spirits as she smiled for photographers.

Warne and ex-wife Simone split in 2005 amid allegations that the sportsman had been unfaithful. However, just two years later, the pair gave their relationship another go after Simone decided to take him back.'

Visitor: On Wednesday Shane received a visit from his ex wife Simone

Concern: It's believed Liz had concerns about Shane and his ex spending more and more time together

Unworried: Simone messed about with her daughter Brooke outside their house

Hug for mummy: Brooke embraced her mother as they stood outside Shane's mansion

Their split was later confirmed in 2010, when Shane debuted his romance with Elizabeth.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shane dramatically cancelled his own high-profile media event in Melbourne as speculation raged about his relationship with Elizabeth.
With just two hours to go before the spin bowler was due to make a special announcement about his foundation which raises funds to help save lives of sick and underprivileged children came the news that the event wasn't going ahead. 

First footage: Ringless Elizabeth Hurley puts on a brave face

Putting on a brave face: Liz stepped out on Wednesday looking in better spirits than the day before

Ringless: Liz's appearance came as she tweeted a message to her followers

Chic: Liz looked stylish in tight blue jeans with a boucle style jacket and black heels 

An hour later Warne, described as a serial texter, posted a Tweet aimed at all those who were planning to attend the event at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
'Hey guys apologies about today & the late notice everyone! See you November 13 at the "G" we are all pumped & excited.'
His Tweet was a reference to the rescheduled date for the foundation announcement and the venue, which will again be the MCG.

Ex: It is thought Shane's relationship with his ex wife Simone (pictured here in 2007) was causing problems

Before the event was due to get under way, invited journalists were warned that questions were to be limited to the foundation's work and its new partnership with Cricket Victoria. Then came what was virtually an 11th hour cancellation.
The official reason given by Cricket Victoria was that some of the foundation's newest ambassadors, including Australian Cricket Captain Michael Clarke and stars of Australian tv and Australian Rules football, were unavailable.
It is believed that Michael Clarke is, in fact, still out of Australia and is due to return with the defeated Ashes team by the end of the week.

Preoccupied: Shane was seen on his phone while he stood beside his daughter Summer on Tuesday

No comment: Shane has not yet broken his silence about the state of his relationship

After the cancellation of the partnership launch Australian media was abuzz, concluding that without speaking a word or showing his face, Warne appeared to have confirmed that it was all over between him and Miss Hurley.
The Age of Melbourne ran a headline stating: 'Shane Warne cancels ambassadors event, igniting Liz Hurley split rumours'.
The Australian's online heading declared that 'Shane Warne last-minute no-show fuels rumours of split with Liz Hurley'.
Warne and Hurley were first linked in July 2010 after they were photographed chatting at the Glorious Goodwood Festival in Sussex.

Keeping busy: Liz was seen running errands on Wednesday keeping herself busy

Engrossed: The mother-of-one was seen chatting away to a gentleman as they strolled along

After the couple were photographed kissing in a London hotel in mid-December that year, the former actress decided to go public with her marriage breakdown to first husband Arun Nayar.

She announced her split on Twitter: 'For the record, my husband Arun and I separated a few months ago. Our close family and friends were aware of this.'
Around the same time, Warne confirmed he too was no longer with Simone, who he had reconciled with following their 2007 divorce.

Immaculate: Liz looked her usual stylish self with her black stiletto heels and leather handbag

He wrote on his website: 'Sadly and unfortunately, Simone and I split up a while ago, our close friends and family were informed at that time.
'It is a private matter so we did not make it public. We remain friends and will continue to be good parents.'
MailOnline has contacted the couple's representatives for comment.

Downcast: Elizabeth Hurley cut a sad figure as she stepped out in London on Tuesday minus her engagement when the story first broke

Sombre: Elizabeth wore an all-black outfit for the outing

Theirs has been a very modern kind of relationship, often conducted in public and via flirtatious Twitter messages.
And now, with a couple of cryptic tweets, it seems to all be over between Liz Hurley and Shane Warne.
Although on September 1, she wished Warne a happy [Australian] Father’s Day, with a heart, on Twitter, the tone changed dramatically three days later.
She posted the message: ‘The more I know of man, the more I love my dog.’ 
For his part, Warne put online his own homespun Aussie musings, saying: ‘It’s not what happens in your life, it’s how you react to what life throws at u, in both the good & bad times!’

Stepdad: Shane and Liz, pictured with her son Damian, had embraced each others' children from previous relatiosnhips

Reports that they had separated were published yesterday while Hurley was in England and Warne was in Melbourne. Significantly, Hurley was not wearing her engagement ring — although it had been seen on her finger as recently as three weeks ago.
This would not be the couple’s first split — they broke up for a while in the spring of last year. That bust-up had been prompted by a series of long separations and Hurley’s growing fear that she really didn’t have enough in common with her blunt and brash boyfriend. 
After a series of unsatisfactory phone calls, she dumped him — but they made it up. However, the relationship was badly scarred and Warne, 44, has seldom been seen at her side since.
For example, he didn’t join her for Elton John’s annual White Tie and Tiara ball this year — that honour went to designer Patrick Cox, her closest friend. Nor was he there to celebrate Cox’s birthday at the Café Royal, even though her ex-husband Arun Nayer and ex-boyfriend Hugh Grant were.

Too much: It's been reported that Liz found Shane's behaviour 'unsophisticated' at times

Also, instead of Warne, she took her son Damian (whose father is playboy film producer Steve Bing) as her plus-one to an Elton John event earlier this month. 
Warne was said to be unavailable because of work commitments.
In any case, often when the couple were seen together, they looked ill-matched.
For example, when they attended Ascot in July, Hurley wore a dainty fascinator and patterned skirt. 
Yet Warne treated the day as a booze-up — ostentatiously squeezing her bottom and then performing his party trick of trying to put a whole glass of beer inside his mouth. 
Liz was not impressed — and it was very embarrassing and public proof that her much-mocked make-over of the larrikin sportsman into a pompadoured metrosexual had failed.

Silence: The pair have failed to mention each other for weeks

For, over three years, Hurley had transformed the porky charmer with dodgy highlights, whose nickname was Hornie Warne, into a highly buffed tailor’s dummy — the perfect Ken to her Barbie.
His eyebrows were plucked; his skin slathered in her Estee Lauder and he was put on the diet of his life, losing 22lb under her encouraging direction.
Her Cotswolds friends say that 48-year-old Hurley initially relished dating a younger, world-famous man, but it has been suggested that they shared insufficient interests and she has occasionally found his behaviour to be unsophisticated.
A friend says: ‘Shane would prefer having a “tear-up” in the pub than hanging about the countryside with Liz. She has become fed up with him behaving like a child.’

Telling: Earlier this month Liz shared a picture of herself with her dog and a not so cryptic message

For her part, Hurley can be difficult, too. Hugh Grant, her boyfriend for more than a decade, once observed that she was a high-maintenance consort who has a ‘terrible temper’.
Hurley and Warne were first linked after they were seen chatting at the Glorious Goodwood Festival.
Over the next few months, they exchanged a number of flirty text messages on Twitter. They were then photographed kissing in a London hotel, before Hurley announced on Twitter (of course) that her marriage was over.
After getting engaged two years ago, the unlikely PR-hungry couple made plans to marry last winter in Scotland. But the wedding never took place.
Then they agreed to have two weddings this year — one in England and another in Australia. But the idea was shelved.

Quite a show: Shane ostentatiously squeezed Liz's bottom and then performed his party trick at Ascot this year

Liz’s closest confidantes, the designer Patrick Cox and Elton John’s film-maker partner David Furnish, have heard her complain that Warne was resisting commitment.  
There were whispers, too, that the ex-cricketer isn’t quite as wealthy as she would like — there weren’t the private jets that she’d enjoyed while dating Steve Bing.
Despite his string of flash cars and a big house in Melbourne, she often ends up having to pay their bills.
But what has caused this reported sudden rift? 
Unsurprisingly, given Warne’s track record, there are rumours that he has been unfaithful. Although there is no evidence, he was accused of sending saucy messages to a porn star (with whom he had allegedly had sex before he met Hurley). The woman, Kimberly Conrad, said that she had suffered carpet burns after some enthusiastic love-making with him.

Ex: Liz confirmed on Twitter that she had split from her husband Arun Nayar after pictures emerged of her with Shane

The 26-year-old said: ‘If Liz thinks he has changed, she is sorely mistaken.’ Such embarrassments continued when, three months after Hurley and Warne began dating, he was reported to have sent saucy texts to a glamorous Melbourne woman, Adele Angeleri.
It has to be said that this would be par for the course for Warne, who was caught cheating by his long-suffering then wife, Simone, after he sent a sexy text intended for a girlfriend to her by mistake in 2007. 
His biographer, Paul Barry, reckons that Warne bedded up to 1,000 women during his 15-year marriage, which ended in 2010. These include a British nurse, who received X-rated texts and voicemails, and a secretary who allegedly had a four-month affair with him.
Most unsavourily, Warne was also videoed enjoying himself with two models and a large inflatable phallus.

Telling? This year Liz attended Elton John's ball alongside Patrick Cox rather than Shane

Certainly, any hint of a repetition of such antics would explain a sudden change of heart by Hurley. 
To be fair to the couple, they confounded many cynics by falling deeply in love — when, at first, it was widely assumed that what was going on was merely a fling.
Both endured gruelling 23-hour flights to meet up, but neither has been willing to relocate to the other’s country full time because of their respective children.
Nevertheless, Warne made an effort to charm Hurley’s 11-year-old son, Damian, while she grew close to Shane’s children, Brooke, 15, Summer, 13, and Jackson, ten — even calling herself ‘Mummy 2’.
They took ‘Brady Bunch’-style holidays with all the children. It was quite an undertaking, and not what Hurley was used to.
When the Basingstoke-born actress bought a £6 million home in Herefordshire last year, she set about restoring the property and enlisted her lover’s advice on how to manage the 200 acres, 13 bedrooms and 12 stables. 
But he preferred a different lifestyle of cricket and games of poker — and was not much bothered about the flock of sheep and alpacas.
Hurley may have succeeded in turning Warne into a metrosexual piece of arm candy, with perfectly dyed strawberry-blond hair, but it seems she just couldn’t manage to get him to the altar.