Friends, family and stars of the sporting world gathered for the funeral for British boxer Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral
The former world champion was found dead at his home in Hyde at the age of 46 last month
Boxing legends Frank Bruno, Tyson Fury and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher were among the guests in attendance
Hatton's son Campbell fought back tears as he told the service: "Never has a father and son had so much in common"
The service began at midday before moving to the Etihad stadium
Hatton, a life-long Manchester City fan, is known as 'The Pride of Hyde' in his hometown where he grew up on a Hattersley council estate
The procession began at 09:45 BST at the Cheshire Cheese pub in the town before making its way along a 10-mile (16km) route through the city
The great and good of British boxing turned out to pay their respects including Tyson Fury, Frank Bruno and Tony Bellew.
“He was an unbelievable father and person and was always a laugh, always got something to say - a joke," said Bellew.
"He would tear the back out of you, whatever you had on.
"He was usually the worst dressed but he still find a way to tear the back out of you. Just a lovely, lovely person."
Image source, EPAAfter his retirement, Hatton was candid about his struggles with drinking and mental health as he tried to fill a void in his life.
In the wake of his death, his loved ones have set up a mental health charity called the Ricky Hatton Foundation so "no-one needs to fight alone",
Posting on social media, his son Campbell Hatton said the foundation would "carry on Ricky's spirit to help as many people as possible" so "no-one needs to fight alone".
According to the website, the charity's missions include raising awareness of mental health challenges, removing the stigma around mental illness and offering direct support through talking therapies and community programmes.
Image source, PA MediaPhil Cunliffe
BBC North West Tonight
Childhood friend Rob Brierley used to play football with Hatton and his brother when they were kids.
He was among those who had gathered to pay their respects outside Hatton's gym in Hyde.
He shared this photograph of a very young Hatton with his football team.
"He was just a guy who took over the world in terms of boxing," said Rob, who is pictured bottom left.
"But locally he was just Ricky – a great guy."
The yellow Reliant Regal on a flatbed truck, used on the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, led the procession of funeral cars as it made its way from Hyde to Manchester Cathedral.
The boxer had long been a huge fan of the show, buying the original van, which is adorned with Trotters Independent Traders decals, for nearly £4,000.
Hatton was often seen driving himself.
He also owned other memorabilia from the show and was among fans who lined up to meet David Jason, who played Del Boy, in 2020. Read more here.
Image source, Reuters
Jonny Humphries
BBC News
Former boxer Anthony Crolla said every "Manc kid wanted to be like Ricky Hatton".
"He inspired a generation," he said.
"Ricky was one of the lads and he was seen as the working class boy who did amazing things and took us all on an amazing journey.
"He was my childhood hero who happened to become a mate."
Image source, PA MediaMore of the tributes and messages left for Hatton, paying homage to his career and many passions.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, EPAMichelle Adamson
BBC Radio Manchester reporter
Dennis Hobson, who was Hatton’s promoter in 2005, said the boxer made everyone feel like he was “their pal”.
“He was such a talented kid but he still retained that common touch and was humbleness,” he said.
“There’s a hole now. He left a legacy and he will be remembered for ever.”
Anna Jameson
BBC North West, Reporter
Jo Costin, 50, from St Anne’s in Lancashire, travelled to the city last night to pay her respects.
“I followed Ricky all over the world and watched both fights in Vegas," she said.
"The atmosphere there was electric. The Americans didn’t know what had hit them.
"In every bar you could hear 'there’s only one Ricky Hatton'.
"I’m so glad a mental health foundation has been set up in his name.”
Michael Maher, 52, has made the journey from Woodley in Berkshire to Hyde.
"Ricky joined me on my honeymoon not too long ago," he said.
"He was just one of the lads.
"I’m a Man United fan but today I’m a Man City fan.”
Crispin Trueman, 63, said the boxer "never forgot his roots".
"Why else would an athlete of his stature build a gym in his hometown of Hyde?," she said.
"He could build it anywhere in the world. He was a man of the people and that’s why we loved him.”
Gary Doubleday, from Stalybridge, also wanted to say farewell to one of “Manchester’s greats".
“He loved Manchester City and Manchester City loved him," he said.
“He never forgot his roots and he loved this club. We’ll miss him so much.”
A round of applause broke out as the funeral procession arrived at the Etihad Stadium.
Hatton was a lifelong fan of the Sky Blues - he is pictured below watching a Champions League match against AC Sparta Praha in October last year.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PALauren Hirst
BBC News
Outside the cathedral, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: "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."
Image source, PA MediaOasis frontman Liam Gallagher is amongst the friends and family leaving the cathedral.
It began at 12:00 after the arrival of Hatton's funeral cortege, which was led by the famous Reliant three-wheeler from Only Fools And Horses.
As mourners arrived, 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 funeral cortege arrived. Several shouts of "go on Ricky" were heard and people sang "There's Only One Ricky Hatton".
Image source, PA Media
Image source, ReutersThe coffin will now leave Manchester Cathedral and head towards the Etihad stadium for its final journey.
Image source, PA MediaBoxing coach Nigel Travis, soap star and Hatton's ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney and Billy Graham, the Hitman's former coach, are among those seen emerging from the cathedral.
It's been a very moving occasion for Hatton's family and many friends.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport at Manchester Cathedral
The Hatton brass band strikes up once again, playing his famous tune, as tearful mourners start to leave.
It doesn’t take long for those outside to break into song too.
The cortège will now make its way to the home of Manchester City, who Hatton fervently supported.
Image source, PA MediaBobbie Jackson
BBC Sport at Manchester Cathedral
Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream plays as mourners start to make their way out of the cathedral.
Hatton was a huge Elvis fan and even nicknamed his house ‘The Heartbreak’ in tribute to the American singer.
As the song fades out, there is a round of an applause and a chant of “there’s only one Ricky Hatton”.
Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport at Manchester Cathedral
As the hymn Abide with Me is sung inside the cathedral there are tears from the large crowd listening intently outside.
Image source, ReutersBobbie Jackson
BBC Sport at Manchester Cathedral
The Reverend Canon Grace Thomas is addressing the congregation.
“Richard, Ricky, the Hitman, Richard John Hatton MBE, the people’s champion, was loved and is loved, and that love is everlasting,” she says.
Jonny Humphries
BBC News
Sky Sports boxing commentator Adam Smith was also in tears as he gave a eulogy.
There were smiles from those listening outside as he joked Hatton was “once upon a time not good enough to play for his beloved Man City” before adding that he was “an absolutely shocking carpet fitter”.
He said he was a “fantastic fighter” and his “popularity eclipsed everything”.
Smith’s voice wavered with emotion as he described how Hatton took his losses extremely hard, because he felt he would “let you all down, which I find heartbreaking”.
“I will forever love him, his fights, his friendship, his fun, his adoration of life. What a ride it was," he said.
"There is, there was and only ever will be one Ricky Hatton.”
The crowd applauded as the speech ends.
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