Ricky Hatton, the former world champion boxer, has died at the age of 46, prompting an outpouring of tributes from figures in sport and entertainment including Oasis singer Liam Gallagher.
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called by a member of the public to an address on Bowlacre Road in Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. The force said there are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances. Daily Mail Sport reported that friends were initially concerned when Hatton failed to appear at an event featuring one of his boxers the previous evening.
Hatton rose to prominence as a four-time world champion across two weight classes and was a popular figure in British boxing, known to fans as "The Hitman." He was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to sport. After retiring from active competition, Hatton moved into coaching but had announced plans for a dramatic return to the ring, with a fight reported to be planned for December.
Tributes were fast to appear on social media and in broadcast media. On X, Liam Gallagher wrote: "Absolutely devastated to hear the news about RICKY HATTON it was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts RIP CHAMP LIVE FOREVER LG x." Gallagher and his brother Noel famously carried Hatton’s world title belts into the ring ahead of his 2008 Las Vegas bout with Paulie Malignaggi.
Fellow former athletes and television colleagues also paid tribute. Olympian Greg Rutherford, who partnered Hatton on the 2024 series of Dancing On Ice, described the news as "utterly heartbreaking" and recalled Hatton's kindness and engagement. Hatton's skating partner from the show, Robin Johnstone, told The Mirror he had seemed to be "doing so well" and described recent memories of Hatton watching a Torvill and Dean show with his daughters.
Other public figures who posted condolences included former footballer David Beckham, who called Hatton "one of a kind" and shared a photograph from his boxing career; broadcaster Paddy McGuinness, who broke the news on his BBC Radio 2 show and dedicated a song to him; and actor Ray Winstone, who expressed his sympathy for Hatton's family. ITV and reality TV figures, as well as professional boxers such as Tommy Fury, paid their respects online.
Several people who encountered Hatton in recent weeks said he had appeared in good spirits. A holidaymaker told reporters Hatton was filmed on August 29 performing Oasis' "Wonderwall" in an Irish bar in Playa de las Américas, Tenerife, and had stopped for photos. On Dancing On Ice, judges and colleagues including Oti Mabuse and Amber Davies described him as kind and generous.
Hatton had publicly discussed struggles with mental health and addiction in recent years. Will Mellor, among others, referenced those battles in posts mourning his friend. He leaves behind a family whose privacy has been asked to be respected amid the tributes.
Greater Manchester Police said enquiries remain ongoing. There was no immediate confirmation of a cause of death on Sunday, and authorities did not classify the circumstances as suspicious. Further statements from Hatton’s representatives or family have not been released publicly at the time of publication.