By Gemma Jones

September 26, 2007 06:00am

EXPERTS yesterday urged warring Shane Warne and his ex-wife Simone Callahan to end their public feud over an alleged affair for the sake of their three children.

The Australian Counselling Association's Philip Armstrong said the Warne's tit-for-tat claims over the end of their relationship could damage their children Brooke, 10, Jackson, 8 and Summer, 5.

Mr Armstrong was particularly scathing of the tell-all interview Ms Callahan, who now goes by her maiden name, gave to New Idea about an alleged affair revealed by yet another wayward text message.

"Dad's coming home from England to have a go at Mum because Mum's done a paid interview and Dad thinks what she said is wrong. What kind of position does that put the children in?" he said yesterday.

Parents acting 'selfishly' 

"They should go home, sit down and have a look at the photos of their children and reflect beyond their own lives and think about the repercussions this will have on their children and maybe stop being so selfish."

Mr Armstrong said the children could be subject to abuse from their peers over the details of their parents' relationship that have been aired in public.

"What Simone has done is create a situation where her children are going to be exposed to the attention of the media, of their friends and of their friends' parents - who may make comments children should not be hearing," he said.

"No one is thinking of the kids."

Ms Callahan went to yoga in Melbourne yesterday before Warne, who released a counter statement denying an affair on Monday, flew home last night from England.

Warne arrives home, denies affair

Clearly exhausted, Warne was met at Melbourne airport by his parents and children and again criticised his ex-wife for her accusation.

Lifting his children out of earshot, Warne said he wanted to move on from the claims he accidentally sent his ex-wife a text message intended for someone else.

"I have been single for a couple of months and I think everyone is probably sick and tired of it," he said.

"No (I didn't cheat on her). I have been single for a couple of months. She is wrong."

Simone's claims 'a PR stunt'

Public relations expert Gerry McCusker said Ms Callahan appeared to be trying to inflate her media career by detailing her life with "a love rat husband".

Mr McCusker said the sordid tale was sad for their children - who last night held up a "Welcome home dad" sign and squealed when they saw him - and that it could also affect Ms Callahan's public image.

"Simone's got her own media career starting out," he said.

"She needs coverage. She needs currency. She needs ammunition. Until she proves herself to be a media player, her only currency is her link to a love rat husband."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22484112-2,00.html





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