FAREWELL Ricky Hatton: Liam Gallagher, Wayne Rooney and ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney join thousands in paying their respects to iconic boxer in star-studded funeral
Hatton, a popular character who unified the light-welterweight division and won a world welterweight title, was found d3ad aged 46 at his Hyde home on September 14.
In attendance for the funeral was Oasis star Gallagher, a long-time friend of Hatton who joined him on his ring walk once against Paulie Malignaggi in 2008. As he left the funeral with partner Debbie Gwyther, they each placed a hand on Hatton’s coffin.
The great and good of British boxing also turned out, with Fury, Amir Khan, Tony Bellew, Frank Bruno, Scott Welch and Frazer Clarke arriving as well as former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff and ex-Manchester United star Rooney.
Also among the mourners were Hatton’s emotional parents Carol and Ray who led the rest of his family into the service; as well as former trainer Billy Graham, from whom he was inseparable on his journey from an amateur to the top of the boxing world.
Other celebrities included Rooney’s wife Coleen, Hatton’s ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney, comedian Paddy McGuinness, darts legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones, TV personality Calum Best, ex-Manchester City footballer Paul Dickov, sports presenter Chris Kamara and EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney.
As mourners arrived at the cathedral, a brass band played Winter Wonderland, synonymous with his fans’ chant ‘There’s Only One Ricky Hatton’, which rang round the many stadiums he fought in.
Hundreds of people outside broke into applause as the cortege arrived. Several shouts of ‘go on Ricky’ were heard and people sang ‘There’s Only One Ricky Hatton’.
The service was played to the crowds outside the cathedral and Hatton’s son Campbell, who followed his father into the boxing ring, paid an emotional tribute, saying: ‘I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you, dad, and that we won’t be making any new memories – but the ones we did I will cherish forever.’
He added: ‘Growing up I looked up to my dad in every aspect of life whether it be following in a career in boxing like he did or the way he carried himself out of the ring. But all of that was fuelled by the love I had and always will have for him.
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Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther at Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral
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Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther touch Ricky Hatton’s coffin after the funeral
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Ray and Carol Hatton leave Manchester Cathedral following the funeral of their son today
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Claire Sweeney leaves the funeral of her former boyfriend Ricky Hatton this afternoon
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Tyson Fury and Tommy Fury depart after the funeral service for Ricky Hatton today
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The coffin of Ricky Hatton is carried out of Manchester Cathedral this afternoon
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Wayne Rooney and Coleen Rooney depart after the funeral service for Ricky Hatton today
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Mourners leaving the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral this afternoon
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Tyson Fury and former footballer Wayne Rooney arrive to attend the funeral this morning
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Hatton’s three-wheeled Reliant Robin in the procession arriving at the Etihad Stadium today
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Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther at Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral
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Ricky Hatton’s parents Carol and Ray arrive at Manchester Cathedral for the service today
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The funeral cortege of Ricky Hatton pass3s his boxing gym in his hometown of Hyde today
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Mani from the Stone Roses and Oasis star Liam Gallagher leave Manchester Cathedral today
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Ricky Hatton’s hearse arrives at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon following the funeral
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The front cover of the order of service for Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral today
‘I am so proud of my dad that it’s hard to put into words. Not just his boxing career, the one-of-a-kind fanbase and the things that made him the People’s Champion but because of how happy we all were when we were all together.’
Hatton’s daughter Fearne, 12, said: ‘Over the 12 years I have had with you, we have made so many memories. The memories I have loved the most was when we were at your house watching Grown Ups or being in the games room playing darts.’
And his daughter Millie, 13, said: ‘I cherish all the memories we had – singing Oasis in the car, in particular Live Forever… just seeing your face in general.
‘Although you were the greatest boxer and I am forever proud of all you achieved in the ring, my favourite times with you were when we were just in the house singing Oasis and watching Grown Ups. I miss you unconditionally, daddy.’
Hatton’s mother Carol said in a statement read on her behalf: ”The Hitman’ was adored by his army of fans – the People’s Champion, and he would say that’s how he would want to be remembered. Long before this accolade he was our little champion from the day he was born.’
Before the service, Bez from the Happy Mondays told reporters: ‘He was one of the great ambassadors of the city. One of the great champions. I got to know him very well down the years.’
And McGuinness told the BBC: ‘It has brought Manchester to a standstill. There is a lot of love and a lot of positivity knocking around.’
Outside the cathedral, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told Sky Sports News: ‘Ricky was a true working class hero and you can tell that by the numbers that are here outside.
‘When I was elected mayor, I would turn up and he’d be there at a corner of an event, sometimes a very low-key event. He turned up for people – you can’t say that about everybody in life but Ricky turned up for people, and that really matters.
‘He’s one of Britain’s best ever fighters. He should be remembered first and foremost for getting to the top of his game and for giving that pride to this place in the country.’
Well-wishers gathered around the cathedral ahead of the service.
Among them was Jay Dodds, 36, who took an early train from Durham to the city to pay her respects.
She recalled meeting Hatton for a photo opportunity after she attended a speaking event in Cardiff in which he appeared alongside Bruno.
Ms Dodds said: ‘He was just a nice lad who was really down to earth. He didn’t think he was any better than you. Some celebs think they are and don’t have time for you, but not him. He had a good crack with us. A bit of banter.’
Ms Dodds, who watched Hatton’s triumphant Homecoming bout against Juan Lazcano at the Manchester Arena, added: ‘Meeting him in person wasn’t a disappointment. He was an entertainer, but he was just normal.’
Steve and Julie Coleman, both 66, from Audenshaw, said they knew the Hatton family well and had holidayed together.
