This Morning presenter Ben Shephard was visibly emotional on air as he paid tribute to former world champion Ricky Hatton, who was found dead at his home on Sunday morning at the age of 46.
Shephard, 50, told viewers he had known Hatton for years and described the Manchester boxer as a mentor and close friend. "I was lucky enough to spend some time with Ricky over the years," he said, recalling a Sport Relief bout in 2008 in which Hatton coached him. Shephard described Hatton as "so generous with his time and his humour and his energy" and said the fighter "wore his heart on his sleeve." Co-host Cat Deeley and regular contributor Gyles Brandreth were with Shephard for the tribute segment.
Former world champion Chris Eubank Sr joined the programme on the phone and offered an emotional message to Hatton's children, Campbell, Millie and Fearne. Eubank called Hatton "a tremendous fighter" and said the family should be proud. He described Hatton as "a lovely, happy go lucky, jocular, fun, man of the people." Eubank also urged promoters and broadcasters to improve support for fighters, saying becoming a world champion brings enormous public pressure and that retired boxers need better safeguards. "All you promoters, all you broadcasters, please look after the fighters," he said, adding that boxing can cause physical harm, including brain damage, and that more must be done for athletes after they retire.
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called by a member of the public to Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 a.m. where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. The force said there were not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.
Nicknamed "the Hitman," Hatton was one of Britain’s best-known boxers between 1997 and 2012. He held multiple world and UK titles and became a national figure after an unexpected victory over Kostya Tszyu, which elevated him from underdog to boxing sensation. Hatton was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to sport.
After retiring he moved into coaching and was due to return to the ring for a planned fight in Dubai in December. The Daily Mail reported that friends became concerned after Hatton failed to appear at a fight in Bolton connected to one of his boxers and missed a gym session the previous Friday. Boxing pundit Steve Bunce, a close friend, said Hatton "was in a really good place" after confronting and addressing past struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
Hatton's ties to Manchester were evident on matchday: he had a table in corporate hospitality at the Etihad Stadium and was due to be at the Manchester derby on Sunday. Manchester City observed a minute's applause and both clubs wore black armbands in his memory.
Broadcasters paid tribute on air and figures from the sport reflected on Hatton's career and public struggles. Eubank's appeal for a formal support system for fighters highlighted ongoing concerns within boxing about the long-term welfare of athletes.
Police said inquiries are ongoing and no further details were released. Family members have been named publicly as Campbell, Millie and Fearne; no funeral arrangements have been announced.