Ricky Hatton‘s 13-year-old daughter read a heartbreaking eulogy to her former boxing world champion father at his funeral where she asked him why he never ‘reached out’.
Stars such as Liam Gallagher, Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury were among those in the congregation for today’s private memorial service at Manchester Cathedral.
Tributes were shared by the late boxer’s 24-year-old son Campbell, who followed his father into the boxing ring, as well as his daughters Fearne, 12, and Millie, 13.
Speaking out to her late father, who had grappled with his mental health for years, Millie wept: ‘Why did you feel that way?
‘Why didn’t you reach out about how you felt?’
Hatton had previously spoken about the ‘little man on my shoulder, whispering to me’ but tragically his family had believed he was conquering the illness.
The star was found dead at his home in Hyde, at the age of just 46.
Millie said: ‘I can’t help but think about how you will never walk me down the aisle, how you will never meet my children and your grandchildren, how you won’t be here to see me leave school or even see me grow into an adult.’
Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell Hatton arrives to attend the funeral at Manchester Cathedral
Hatton’s coffin is carried by his son Campbell Hatton (left) and brother Matthew Hatton (right)
Family members embrace outside the cathedral after the funeral of Ricky Hatton today
Ray and Carol Hatton leave Manchester Cathedral following the funeral of their son today
Matthew Hatton, younger brother of Ricky Hatton, arrives at Manchester Cathedral today
Family members embrace outside the cathedral after the funeral of Ricky Hatton today
‘I genuinely hope you don’t ever think you have let me down, because I would never think that. I love and miss you unconditionally.’
Campbell was Hatton’s first son from a relationship with a woman known only as Claire, and was also a boxer before retiring in July to become a solar panel installer.
Campbell – who helped carry his father’s coffin with Matthew Hatton, his uncle and Hatton’s brother – said: ‘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.’
‘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.
‘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 was an up-and-coming fighter aged just 22 when Campbell was born, but had the foresight to set up a trust fund for the boy to ensure he would get a share of his father’s earnings – and a standing order so his mother could properly care for him.
Hatton also had two daughters – Millie, 13, and Fearne, 12 – with his former fiancée Jennifer Dooley, and posted a photograph with the girls in Tenerife in August.
At her father’s funeral today, Fearne 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.’
Ricky Hatton with son Campbell at the National Football Museum in Manchester last October
Ricky Hatton shared a photo with his two daughters Millie and Fearne in Tenerife in August
Millie added: ‘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.’
The service which began at noon was played to the crowds outside the cathedral and a statement was also read on behalf of Hatton’s mother Carol.
She said: ”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.’
Gallagher touched Hatton’s blue coffin in the hearse as he left the cathedral following the service, while Hatton’s ex-girlfriend, soap star Claire Sweeney, was in tears.
Other famous faces seen at Manchester Cathedral included Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder and Mark ‘Bez’ Berry, reality TV personality Calum Best, comedian Paddy McGuinness, former cricket star Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and actor Dean Gaffney.
Hatton’s funeral cortege was led by the famous Reliant van from Only Fools And Horses.
A family photograph from the Sky programme ‘At Home With The Hattons’ shows Ricky Hatton with (from left) partner Jennifer Dooley, father Ray, Hatton with his son Campbell, his mother Carol, brother Matthew’s girlfriend Jenna and brother Matthew holding his son Jack in 2008
Hatton had Millie and Fearne with his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Dooley (pictured in 2007)
The former boxing world champion was a big fan of the Del Boy and Rodney sitcom and once bought one of the original three-wheelers for £4,000, which he used to drive round his home city.
Also seen at the cathedral were boxers Frazer Clarke and Natasha Jonas, former boxers Amir Khan, Scott Welch, Frank Bruno, Barry McGuigan and Anthony Crolla, former Manchester City footballer Mike Summerbee, pundit and former footballer Chris Kamara and Hatton’s former trainer Billy Graham.
Tributes poured in across the world of sport and beyond after the boxing star’s death aged 46 at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on September 14.
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.’
Before the service, Bez 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.’
Thousands of people lined the streets of Manchester this morning to pay their respects to the ‘Hitman’.
Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther at Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral
Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther touch Ricky Hatton’s coffin after the funeral
Claire Sweeney leaves the funeral of her former boyfriend Ricky Hatton this afternoon
Tyson Fury and Tommy Fury depart after the funeral service for Ricky Hatton today
On the way to the memorial, the cortege arrived at the Cheshire Cheese pub – Hatton’s local – on Stockport Road in Hyde and was met with applause from mourners before it departed at 9.45am.
The procession travelled to the Harehill Tavern before doves were released in Hatton’s honour at The New Inn.
There was a further pause at Hatton’s Gym, where emotional fans sang and took pictures.
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.’
Mourners leaving the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral this afternoon
Wayne Rooney and Coleen Rooney depart after the funeral service for Ricky Hatton today
The coffin arrives for the memorial service at Manchester Cathedral for Ricky Hatton today
Hatton’s three-wheeled Reliant Robin in the procession arriving at the Etihad Stadium today
Steve and Julie Coleman, both 66, from Audenshaw, said they knew the Hatton family well and had holidayed together.
Mrs Coleman said: ‘We went on a couple of Caribbean cruises.
‘We used to leave him on the beach because when he became famous we couldn’t get from one place to the other because people would stop him for autographs and a chat.
‘He would talk to everybody.
‘He was a proper family man and just funny. Really funny. His mum and dad are funny.
‘Ricky was just proper rooted and grounded.’
Mr Coleman said: ‘He was one of the lads. Simple as that.’
Terry Rotirs, 70, from Hattersley, said he first met Hatton in their home town when the former boxer was aged 13.
He said: ‘He has done well for Hattersley and Manchester, plus he’s a City supporter.
‘He was a bit of a lad when he was a kid but just a normal teenager.
‘When he was older and became famous he still said hello to you if you saw him in the street. He was very likeable.’
Following a private memorial service, the procession made its way from the cathedral to the Etihad Stadium, home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City.
Hatton won the IBF world welterweight title in his home city in June 2005 with victory over Kostya Tszyu. He went on to fight Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in the United States.
