Claire Sweeney was photographed in tears as she joined mourners at the funeral of her former partner, boxing legend Ricky Hatton, in Manchester today. The streets of his home city were lined as his coffin was taken to Manchester Cathedral, where family, friends and famous faces gathered to pay their respects.
Among those in attendance were Liam Gallagher, Wayne Rooney with wife Coleen, Paddy McGuinness, darts great Phil “The Power” Taylor and boxing icons Tyson Fury and Frank Bruno. Claire — who dated the former world champion during 2024 after they bonded on Dancing On Ice — looked visibly heartbroken as the cortege arrived. Days after his death, she told fans she would “always love” Ricky in a moving post.
The pair’s whirlwind romance lasted around eight months before they amicably split just before Christmas, but they remained close. Their first red-carpet appearance came in May 2024 at the opening of Manchester’s £365m Co-op Live Arena. Friends recalled “electric” chemistry and said Ricky was “completely besotted”.
Today’s memorial route began at 9:45am at the Cheshire Cheese pub on Stockport Road in Hyde, paused at the Harehill Tavern in Hattersley, stopped at The New Inn on Mottram New Road — once owned by Hatton’s parents — where doves were released, and passed Hatton’s Gym and Betta Bodies Gym in Denton, where he trained for world title fights. An invitation-only service was held at Manchester Cathedral, before the cortege went on to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium for public tributes, followed by a private service.
Ricky Hatton, hailed by those close to him as “the hero of Hyde,” was found dead at his home on 14 September, aged 46. As eulogies from his family spoke of love and loss, Claire stood among thousands to say goodbye.
