GNOSISUnveiled

, who passed away in today aged 52 of a suspected heart attack, was one of the greatest and most iconic cricketers of all time.

The Australian leg spin bowler could turn a ball on a six pence and was the second highest wicket taker ever, often skittling the best players in the world with a flick of the wrist.

But the flamboyant cricketer’s illustrious career was matched by his lust for life off it – and his role in sex scandals, drug taking and gambling soon began to dominate headlines.

Just two years ago allegations emerged the Aussie legend was involved in a noisy four-way sex party with his lover and two escorts at his home in north west .

Meanwhile his career was nearly ruined during the 2003 World Cup when he tested positive for diuretics – which can be used to mask other substances – while the star claimed his mother gave it to him for weight loss.

And back in 1998 it emerged that three years earlier the Australian Cricket Board had fined him and Mark Waugh for accepting money from a bookmaker allegedly for information about pitch and weather conditions.

Off the pitch the father-of-three dated a raft of stunning women during and after his career, including the actress Liz Hurley – who he was engaged to – and reportedly the glamour model Emily Sears.

Triple M Sydney radio host Lawrence Mooney, a friend of Warne, said last year: ‘His life is Tinder, beers, darts, gambling and cricket.Those five things, that’s it.’

In his own words, the star said: ‘I liked loud music, I smoked, I drank, and I bowled a bit of leg spin. I don’t have any regrets.’

Despite the controversies, the ‘spin king’ remained a world-renown and well loved member of the cricketing community, most recently coaching London Spirit in The Hundred and commentating on the Ashes.