Warne splits with his wife amid claims of affair with Liz Hurley

The ex-spin bowler's admission came just hours after Hurley said she had parted from her husband, businessman Arun Nayar.

In a message posted on his website, 41-year-old Warne 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."

He and Hurley, 45, spent two nights together in a London hotel suite last week, according to a Sunday newspaper, after he arrived to record TV interviews.

The unlikely pair have been exchanging messages on social networking site Twitter.

Hurley – also an actress, producer and businesswoman – used the site to confirm her separation: "Not a great day. For the record, my husband Arun & I separated a few months ago. Our close family & friends were aware of this."