Warnie: Channel Nine's Shane Warne drama series receives ...

Warnie has been met with savage criticism and negative reviews, with viewers taking to social media to share their feedback.

The first instalment of Channel Nine’s two-part drama series — centred around the late cricketing legend Shane Warne — debuted on Sunday night.

Matt Cenin — the former Cricket Australia communications officer said: “30 minutes of the #Warnie telemovie … atrocious. What an embarrassment.”

Another user posted: “This #Warnie special on 9 is the worst piece of television I have ever seen.”

“I’ve had enough,” another viewer started their post.

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“This is an absolute disgrace and is tarnishing a legend of the game. It should have never seen the light of day. Shame on you @Channel9 #warnie,” they continued.

“Shane Warne would be embarrassed!! And so should channel 9 and anyone involved in this #warnie,” another said.

Another agreed: “So far it’s worse than I expected. Tacky and sensationalist. So disappointing.”

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The scathing reviews come after Warne’s ex — and the mother of his three children — Simone Callahan slammed the miniseries, which Nine revealed just six months after his death.

“I haven’t wanted to read into too much about it, but I think it’s a bit unkind and mean-spirited to be honest,’’ she told the Herald Sun.

“It’s my opinion. He’s just passed, let him rest in peace. And for the kids, I just believe that they’re not showing any compassion at all by putting this out there in such a short amount of time after this has happened.

“To be honest but that’s how I feel about it.”

Camera IconAlex Williams plays the role of Shane Warne, while Marny Kennedy plays Simone Callahan. Credit: Facebook;Channel NineCamera IconFans, as well as Warne's family, have heavily criticised the drama series which also documents the cricketers romance with Elizabeth Hurley. Credit: Facebook;Channel Nine

At the time of the reveal, Warne’s daughter Brooke shared her thoughts on Instagram.

“Do any of you have any respect for Dad? Or his family? Who did so much for Channel 9, and now you want to dramatise his life and our family’s life six months after he has passed away? You are beyond disrespectful,” she wrote.

She also confirmed that the family had met with the show’s producers.

Nine have promoted the drama series as “a look at the life and times of cricket legend Shane Warne, who was truly a larger-than-life character both on and off the field”.

“This is a sportsman who found himself in trouble, multiple times – who at one point was banned from the game, for a year.

“A man who lived his life in the full glare of the spotlight, had his every failing scrutinised by global media and had more than his fair share of controversy.

“Yet, in spite of all that, Shane Warne managed to retain the love of not only his family and friends but a vast number of ordinary folk around the world.”

Warne passed away suddenly aged 52 on March 4, 2022, while holidaying in Thailand.