Monday’s episode of BBC Breakfast began with a tribute to late boxer Ricky Hatton, after news of his d3ath broke on Sunday.

Presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent issued an emotional statement as they opened Monday’s (15 September) instalment of BBC Breakfast, saying the ex-professional boxer was “adored”.

“Good morning, it is Monday, 15 September and tributes are being paid to Ricky Hatton after his d3ath at the age of 46,” Sally began. “Nicknamed The Hitman, he won world titles in two weight divisions and was simply adored by many fans.”

Jon continued: “Following his retirement from boxing, Hatton was open about the struggles he faced in life, including problems with his mental health and addictions to drugs and alcohol. Police said his d3ath is not believed to be suspicious.”

Ricky was found d3ad at his home in Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester, on the morning of 14 September. Greater Manchester Police have said they are not treating his d3ath as suspicious.

Jon and Sally paid tribute to late boxer Ricky Hatton (Image: BBC)

A spokesperson said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today [September 14] where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

Monday’s BBC Breakfast featured a number of tributes to Ricky, with coverage showing messages from a number of sports journalists, as well as famous faces such as Wayne Rooney.

A clip of ex-footballer Wayne, who was close pals with the late boxer, was shared, in which he said: “I think he’s someone who captured the nation really. In terms of the support he got, it followed him all around the world in boxing. It’s devastating.”

Elsewhere, boxing journalist Steve Bunce spoke about the importance of Ricky being open about his struggles and praised the late boxer for making an “immense difference”.

“He actually made an immense difference. The amount of people that stopped him, times I was with him in different locations, where people would just stop him and say how much he’d helped by just raising his head, raising it up really high,” Steve said on BBC Breakfast.

“The first sportsman in British sport to do it and talk about his mental health issues, talk about the darkness he was in.”

Ricky Hatton was found d3ad on 14 September at his home (Image: Getty)

The journalist, who appeared via video link, went on to add: “And also, face absolutely front on, like Ricky did in the ring, his addiction problems. He didn’t hide from them, he didn’t sweep them under the carpet, he didn’t push them aside and say ‘Oh, it’s nothing’. He dealt with them front on, face on.”