RICKY Hatton’s devastated daughters bravely laid bare their pain as they paid tribute to the boxing champion at his funeral today saying “I love you daddy”.
Ferne Hatton, 12, and her sister Millie, 13, both stood before a packed Manchester Cathedral and told how their world had been turned upside down since Ricky was found dead at his home on 14 September aged just 46.
ReutersThousands of mourners lined the streets to pay their respects[/caption]
GettyRicky Hatton with his daughters[/caption]
GettyA Reliant Robin owned by the boxer was part of the funeral procession today[/caption]
In moving eulogies which left the crowd – both inside and outside the cathedral – in tears, the girls spoke of their pride in having Ricky as their dad.
And they told of the heart-breaking extent of their loss.
Millie said: “My heart is in a million and one pieces that you aren’t here with me and everyone else who loves you dearly.
“I wake up every morning wishing you were here.
“You were seriously the funniest person I’ve ever ever come across and I’m lucky enough to call you my dad.
“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, that you won’t be here to see me leave school and you won’t even see me grow into an adult.
“I fear every Christmas, Easter, birthday, Tenerife holiday, and especially Father’s Day, knowing that you aren’t here to meet you laugh until my stomach hurts.”
She told how she cherishes her memories of singing Oasis anthem Live Forever in the car with her dad, and going on trips to the pub with him.
And she added that while Brits knew Ricky has one of our greatest ever sportsmen, she loved him best when watching the TV show Grown Ups and singing Oasis songs.
She added: “I love you and miss you unconditionally, Daddy.”
Her sister Fearne also showed great courage to pay her own personal tribute to Ricky.
She told the congregation: “I can’t believe that you are not here anymore, and that I have only known you for 12 years.
“Even though I have only spent 12 years of my life, knowing the strong and inspiring person you are.
“I’m having to realise that you will be out of my life more than you have been in it.”
GettyThe order of service contained touching family photographs[/caption]
ReutersRicky Hatton’s mother Carol Hatton and father Ray Hatton arriving at the funeral[/caption]
ReutersRicky’s son Campbell Hatton and pallbearers carried the coffin[/caption]
Fearne told how she loved going bowling with her dad and playing mini golf and how she loved spending time at his home in Gee Cross, Gtr Manchester, playing darts.
She added: “The thing I admire most about you is how you make the people who feel unseen feel known and how you bring a smile to everyone’s faces.
“You are known as Ricky Hatton in the Ring, but I’ve only seen you as my dad, even in the ring. I’m so proud of you words can’t express.
“I will never change the way I think of you because you are now gone.
“I love you so much, Daddy, and I will miss you more than you will ever know. More memories won’t be made but our memories I have already made you will be.
“This isn’t a goodbye forever because I know I will see you one way or another. I love you so much, my one and only daddy.”
Ricky’s son Campbell, 24, who followed him into boxing racking up 16 fights before retiring, also paid tribute to his dad.
He said: “Never have a father and son had so much in common.
“Whether it be our looks, as we’ve been told so often, our music, the same sense of humour and personalities, our love for Man City, going to the pub, butchering songs on the karaoke.
“And the s*** jokes that I’d nick from you and that even though he’d never admit it, you’d nick from me.
“When we were together, there was an undeniable bond that we shared, which has given me some of the best memories and laughs I’ve ever had.
“I’m so proud of my dad that it’s hard to put into words, not just his boxing career, the one of a kind fan base and the things that made him the People’s Champion.
“But because of how happy we all were when we were together.
“I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you dad. I’m heartbroken we’re not going to be making any new memories. But the ones we have, I’ll cherish forever.
A tribute to Ricky – always known as Richard by his mum Carol also read out.
Carol detailed how her son was born with two black eyes after a difficult birth involving forceps at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.
She recalled: “I told Richard many years ago, ‘Son you’re living the life of an express train’.
“His reply was simply, ‘Mum if I was to die tomorrow, I have lived my life already with no regrets.’
“The Hitman was adored by his army of fans, the People’s Champion, and he would say that’s how he wanted to be remembered.
“Long before this accolade, he was our little champ from the day he was born.
“Rest Easy, son. loved and remembered forever, mum and dad.”
Prior to the cathedral service, Ricky’s funeral cortege travelled two hours from his home in Hyde past some landmarks including the AO Arena where he had some of his best fight nights.
Outside the Cheshire Cheese pub close to Ricky’s home, landlord Tony Cooper, 57, said: “He was a local lad and this was his home from home.
“He would come in, have a Guinness watch the football and just be himself.
“He was a nice genuine man. He will be missed.”
Rita Ellis, 60, said: “He was just a decent bloke.
“There weren’t any airs and graces about him, and had time for everyone.
“He deserves this turnout today. He was one of us!”
Rob Knowles, 27, took a day off work to pay his respects.
The internet installer said: “I didn’t know him but sometimes people have an impact on your life.
“I grew up watching his fights and I think it meant more because he lived just down the road and there was always a chance of seeing him in the street.
“Everyone wanted to be a boxer and be Ricky Hatton.
“It’s a sad day but a great turn out for a great champion.”
BackGridLiam Gallagher paid his respects at the funeral[/caption]
SplashThe Hitman flower arrangements[/caption]
SplashManchester City fans gathered in large numbers to honor the legend[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
