Wayne Rooney wipes away a tear alongside wife Coleen at Manchester Cathedral(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

All the famous people at Ricky Hatton's remarkable funeral as stars in tears

by · Wales Online

Boxer Ricky Hatton's funeral is being held in Manchester today, nearly a month after his death rocked the city and sporting world.

In a remarkable send-off, thousands of mourners lined the streets as the funeral cortege made its way through the streets of Manchester, visiting places that had meant so much to him during his life.

Among the mourners was former girlfriend, TV actress Claire Sweeney, as well as Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher. Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen, boxers Tyson and Tommy Fury, 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 were also among those seen arriving on Friday.

The private memorial service began at midday after Hatton’s funeral cortege arrived, which was led by the famous Reliant van from Only Fools And Horses.

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 arriving 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 legend’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.”

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”.

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.

You can see pictures of the famous faces who came to pay their respects here.

Former cricketer Andrew Flintoff arrives with his wife Rachael ahead of the funeral service for Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral(Image: PA Wire)
Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney, who was previously in a relationship with Hatton, was emotional as she arrived at the funeral(Image: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)
Tyson Fury was at the funeral wearing a unique jacket that featured pictures of himself(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney wipes away a tear alongside wife Coleen at Manchester Cathedral(Image: 2025 Getty Images)