New face, new man: Shane Warne plays smooth-faced English gent as he accompanies Elizabeth Hurley to Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball

By SARAH BULL

Red carpet debut: Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne leave the model's London home to head to Sir Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball


Shane Warne's new appearance continues to baffle and entertain in equal measure.

The 41-year-old Australian cricket star played the smooth-faced English gent as he escorted his girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley to Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball.

The pair, who have been dating since last December, cut quite a dash as they headed to the annual fundraising event held at Sir Elton and partner David Furnish's Windsor Home but the main talking point was Mr Warne's distinctly smoother face.



Smooth operator: Shane Warne as he was in 2005 and how he now looks six years on


The cricketer, who has built up a reputation as a stereotypical macho Australian 'bloke', appeared to be wearing make up to boost his looks.

He had his eyebrows shaped into a definite arch, perhaps styled by his own girlfriend, together with a goofy smoothed over hairstyle.

Also noteworthy was his distinctly smoother looking face, particularly the area around his eyes with the disappearance of his crow's feet.


You old smoothie: Shane Warne's altered appearance has led to speculation from some observers


Posed up: The couple, who have been dating since last December, looked smart in their outfits


In recent weeks observers have noted that the cricketer's formerly weathered, rough and ready appearance has altered somewhat thanks primarily to his weight loss, though he has rubbished any suggestion of surgery.

Last week, cosmetic surgeon Dr Shahab Mahdi told the Daily Star: "The difference in Shane's appearance is dramatic. In my opinon it looks as though he has had a facelift.'

His army of followers are not convinced either, accusing Shane of having a little help in the anti-ageing department.


The morning after! Shane Warne didn't look like he was recovering from a hangover today while strolling around London


Making a statement: Elizabeth opted for an animal-print gown which featured a long trailing train


One fan took to Twitter, saying: 'He looks like a waxwork, all plucked and sculptured.'

Another blogger from the social networking site wrote: 'How much surgery has shane warne had? Lol, the male version of jordan!'

However the 41-year-old bowler defended himself, retaliating with: 'Questions re faclift/ Botox etc are absolute rubbish.'



Home and dry: Liz Hurley wears Shane Warne's dinner jacket as they arrive back at her Chelsea home


New look: The cricketer has shed his rough and ready image for a more dapper, smooth look


The sportsman is believed to have lost around 22lbs over the last few months, largely due to his girlfriend's influence.

In fact, Shane has now completely changed the way he thinks about food, as he showed on his Twitter page when he asked his followers for advice on what to eat.

He tweeted: 'Feel like a hot pie with copious amounts of sauce with crinkle cut chips!! What the best pie?'


Stunning: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attended the event with their mother Sarah Ferguson


Hosts for the night: Sir Elton and partner David Furnish pose for photographers inside the party


But Shane then added just minutes later: 'NO Shane!! 78kg is target currently 82.5. Settle on a protein shake with an apple and banana - sob.'

In the fashion stakes Elizabeth stuck to her usual formula in a floor-sweeping animal-print gown.

She admitted to her Twitter followers earlier in the day that she had been struggling to decide what to wear.

She wrote: 'Off to Elton & David's White Tie & Tiara Aids fundraiser. Can't decide which dress......'

Meanwhile, Shane looked sharp in a black tuxedo which highlighted his recent weight loss.

Elizabeth and Shane looked happier than ever as they attended the ball, keeping their arms around each other and smiling for photographers.

And, in a recent interview, Shane said he was looking forward to spending more time with his gorgeous girlfriend.


Smile, Boris! Becker and wife Sharlely 'Lilly' Kerssenberg arrive at Sir Elton's Windsor home for the annual event


He said: 'She's a lovely lady. We get on really well and I'm spending a lot of time in England this summer, working for Sky.

'We'll wait and see what happens between Liz and I - but at the moment things are great.'

Earlier in the day, Shane was photographed arriving at Elizabeth's London home with a huge grin on his face and carrying a bag of golf clubs.

Elizabeth, 46, announced in December that she had split from husband Arun Nayar, after pictures emerged of her kissing cricketer Shane Warne in a hotel in London.
Following the pictures' publication, both Hurley and Warne hastily issued statements revealing that their respective marriages had been over for some time.

Since then, the new couple have been making headlines for their on/off romance, rendezvous in Australia and India and tabloid rumours of his alleged infidelity.

Elizabeth married Indian textile heir Nayar at Sudely Castle, near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, in March 2007 - and had a traditional Hindu wedding at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India.



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The ceremonies were attended by numerous celebrities, including Sir Elton John, who gave the bride away.

Announcing her separation from Arun, Liz tweeted: 'Not a great day. For the record, my husband Arun & I separated a few months ago. Our close family & friends were aware of this.'

She added: 'Painful, sad days. Arun & I separated for private reasons but FTR he has been a great father to our son Damian & will always be in his life.'


Date night: Noel Edmonds and wife Liz Davies arrive at the estate


Brunettes have more fun: Alexa Chung and Nancy Del'Ollio were among the invited guests


Dressed in black: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace arrives


Hours later, Shane, 41, took to his own blog to confirm that his tumultuous marriage to wife Simone was also over.

In a statement he said: '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.'

A notorious philanderer, Shane split from Simone, the mother of his children Brooke, 13, Jackson, 11 and Summer, 8, after a string of affairs, including a notorious sex text scandal in 2000 which saw him stripped of his Australian vice-captaincy.


Casual wear: Earlier in the day Elizabeth was seen out shopping while Shane later popped around to her house carrying his bag of golf clubs


Let me in! Shane rings the doorbell as he waits for Elizabeth to buzz him in

source: dailymail