Famous TV, music and sport stars at Ricky Hatton’s funeral as tributes paid to boxing icon
Ricky Hatton is being laid to rest following a huge funeral procession through the streets of his beloved Manchester and a number of famous faces were there to pay their respects
Ricky Hatton was laid to rest in Manchester on Friday afternoon, almost a month after his death sent shockwaves through the city and the world of sport. In an extraordinary farewell, thousands of mourners lined the streets as the funeral procession journeyed through Manchester, visiting locations that held significant meaning to him throughout his life.
Among those paying their respects was Hatton’s former girlfriend, TV actress Claire Sweeney, and Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher. Other notable attendees included ex-England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen, boxers Tyson and Tommy Fury, Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder and Mark “Bez” Berry, reality TV star Calum Best, comedian Paddy McGuinness, former cricketer Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and actor Dean Gaffney.
The private memorial service commenced at midday following the arrival of Hatton’s funeral cortege, which was led by the iconic Reliant van from Only Fools And Horses. The former boxing world champion was a huge fan of the Del Boy and Rodney sitcom and once purchased one of the original three-wheelers for £4,000, which he used to drive around his hometown.
Also spotted arriving at the cathedral were boxers Frazer Clarke and Natasha Jonas, ex-boxers Amir Khan, Scott Welch, Frank Bruno, Barry McGuigan and Anthony Crolla, former Manchester City footballer Mike Summerbee, pundit and ex-footballer Chris Kamara, and Hatton’s former trainer Billy Graham.
Tributes have been flooding in from across the globe following the tragic death of boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who passed away at his Hyde home in Greater Manchester on September 14, aged 46.
Speaking to Sky Sports News outside the cathedral, as quoted by WalesOnline, 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.”
He added: “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.”
Burnham also noted: “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.”
As mourners gathered, a brass band played Winter Wonderland, a tune synonymous with his fans’ chant “There’s Only One Ricky Hatton”, which echoed around the many stadiums where he fought.
The arrival of the funeral cortege was met with applause from hundreds of people gathered outside. Several cries of “go on Ricky” were heard, and the crowd sang “There’s Only One Ricky Hatton”.
En route to the memorial, the cortege stopped at the Cheshire Cheese pub – Hatton’s local – on Stockport Road in Hyde, where it was greeted with applause from mourners before setting off again at 9.45am.
The procession then made its way to the Harehill Tavern, before doves were released in honour of Hatton at The New Inn. A further halt was made at Hatton’s Gym, where moved fans sang and snapped photos.
Supporters congregated around the cathedral prior to the service. You can view images of the well-known personalities who attended to pay their respects here.
