Warne was attending the unveiling of a waxworks double for Madame Tussaud's at a sport theme cafe he part owned in the city, when he was asked by a television reporter if he preferred the shape of his wax image, which looked considerably leaner than the spinner.

Irritated by the question, Warne, 28, snapped: ``That's why I don't answer any questions from you blokes. That's it, you've ruined it . . . thanks very much.''

Then to the astonishment of the gathering, Warne stepped down from the podium after only a minute before the cameras and stormed from the room.

Warne's weight was a ribald subject for chanting sections of English supporters during Australia's Ashes tour earlier this year and recently there has been comment about a noticeable expansion of his waistline and cherubic face.

Australia coach Geoff Marsh said last weekend that he was concerned about Warne's weight and had asked the Victorian captain to monitor his diet.

Warne was in good spirits when he arrived for yesterday's function and applied his trademark zinc cream to the lips and nose of the £25,000 wax dummy.

He then invited the media to ``feel free to ask any questions''. When one reporter took him to his word, Warne took offence and left.