Cricket legend Shane Warne has slammed a magazine story insisting he will be bowling maidens over as the 2018 Bachelor.

Taking to Twitter on Monday, the 48-year-old – whose social media profile includes the description ‘still single’ – said New Idea had “completely made up a story” about him negotiating to be the next star of the Ten franchise.

“This is hurtful to me and my children as it’s total lies,” he posted.

Still, despite Warne’s denials, a Ten spokesperson would not comment specifically on his possible involvement or lack of next year.

“Casting is now open for The Bachelor but no decision has been made yet,” they said.

When pressed as to whether that meant Warne is a definite non-starter for the show, the spokesperson would not comment further.

The story which sparked the spin king’s ire claimed Warne had been approached by network bosses and is “ironing out the finer details” of an estimated $1 million contract to try to find love on the show.

“Whatever he does always ends up in the media so he figures why not give it a shot,” a source told New Idea.

“He is the first to admit he doesn’t always make the best choices with women, so why not get a bit of help along the way?”

New Idea claimed it spoke to a Ten insider and a friend of Warne’s when researching the story – but Warne said he did not speak to them.

“I have not had one conversation with anyone about this. How can they continue to print lies about me, make up stories and get away with it?” he posted on Twitter.

After Warne slammed the story, News Limited reported the “exasperated” Nine commentator is “considering his legal options after the publication of a series of fake stories about his personal and professional life.”

The media outlet repeated Warne’s Bachelor denials, saying he has told friends the claims he will be handing out roses are “a load of made up sh––”.

While that might be the case, Warne has embraced reality TV for Ten in the past.

In 2016 he competed on Ten’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, revealing his fear of spiders – ridding the house of them was his ex wife Simone Callahan’s job – and his theory that humans evolved from aliens.

The network also had huge ratings success with the tactic of using as a celebrity, Sophie Monk, in the just-finished season of The Bachelorette. 

On October 26, the singer chose millionaire Sydney publican Stu Laundy as last man standing.

Whatever happens, Warne has promised to reveal the inner workings of his head and heart in a new autobiography he plans to have ready for release in October.

On his list to discuss: his ten-year marriage to Ms Callahan and his broken engagement to actress Liz Hurley.

“I will just be stating facts of what it was like,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I won’t be saying anything derogatory about either of them because I had great times with both of them and we are still all friends.”