By Steven White
Copyright dailystar
Ricky Hatton’s ex Claire Sweeney wiped away tears at the boxing icon’s funeral service held on Friday. Stars of sports, music and TV turned up at Manchester Cathedral to say a final farewell to the former two-weight world champion, who died last month aged 46 . He was due to to come out of retirement and fight Eisa Al Dah in the ring in Dubai on December 2 before his tragic death. Mourners included fellow former boxers Frank Bruno and Tony Bellew as well as Tyson Fury. Elsewhere, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was spotted along with Wayne Rooney, Paddy McGuinness and darts legend Phil Taylor. Although there were plenty of stars at The Hitman’s funeral, locals in Manchester also turned up to grieve for the boxer. Dionne Hampson, 39, who runs a local beauty salon, said: ” I remember when he fought in Las Vegas. The whole town went – the whole of Britain went. It was unbelievable. “I remember when I was 13 a big group of us used to hang around together in the park. We’d all be sat around doing nothing and he’d be running – always running. He was just Ricky until he fought in Vegas. “Then he was suddenly huge. It was unbelievable. But he didn’t buy a mansion in Vegas. He stayed here. It’s a great community and he was a great part of it. He made a lot of money but he put an awful lot of it back into the community. “He was very generous. You can tell from the turn out today how many people’s hearts he touched.” Rita Ellis, 60, added: “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.” Although the private memorial service held at Manchester Cathedral was for family and friends only, the people of Manchester flocked to the streets to pay tribute to the man. A crowd of some 2,000 lined up for the start of the 12-mile procession, which began around 9:45am outside the Cheshire Cheese – Hatton’s local pub – in Hyde. Many were waving flags in the sky blue and white colours of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City and many flags bearers drank pints of Guinness and toasted the star. A wreath of a pint of Guinness was placed on the truck festooned in flowers spelling ‘Ricky’ as the tearful crowd sang ‘Walking In A Ricky Wonderland’. It was a day of high emotion for many and Wayne Rooney didn’t hold back as he was spotted with his wife, Colleen, among the mourners outside Manchester Cathedral. A photos of the ex-Man Utd and Everton star clearly showed him wiping away the tears from his eyes. The 39-year-old carried Hatton’s belts into the ring before the boxer’s victory over Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas back in 2007. Paying tribute, he said on his podcast: “Ricky was such a good lad and a good person. He is someone who captured the nation, in terms of the support he got, they followed him all around the world. “I want to pay my condolences to his family and everyone who is really close to him. It is way too soon. It has not fully kicked in, it’s devastating. Heartbreaking.” Claire Sweeney, who dated Hatton last year, looked emotional as she arrived at Manchester Cathedral with fellow mourners, wearing all black. Daily Star reporter Jerry Lawton, who also attended the funeral procession, said the star looked “close to tears” on the heartbreaking day – however, photos then showed the star crying over her former boyfriend. Upon hearing about his death, she said at the time: “I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky. “My thoughts are with his family especially his children Campbell, Millie Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter. “To them, Speaky and to all his friends who loved him so deeply and for so many years I send you my deepest sympathy. “Ricky, you were the people’s champ. We adored and cherished you. Love you always.” Fellow boxing legend Amir Khan said he “needed to be here to show his respects” as he arrived at the funeral. He added: “He was a good friend of mine, he was a family friend he used to come over to the house and we were talking on the phone quite regularly. It’s a big loss for us.” Khan, who never ended up fighting Hatton despite the rumours over the years, also described Hatton as an ‘inspiration’. He said: “He was a fantastic fighter, one of the best out there. He obviously inspired so many fighters like us. “He’ll be definitely remembered as one of the greatest to come out of Britain. Very jolly, very fun, a very respected person and very nice. He was always a people’s champion. “It’s great to be here to see so many of the boxing community come together to show our respect. Hundreds on the streets – that shows he was a popular man.” A flashy-looking Tyson Fury – dressed in a suit laden with images of himself – also turned up at the funeral. Earlier in the day, he paid a touching tribute to Hatton. He wrote: “Today is the day of Ricky Hatton’s funeral, and I am not going to be alone when I say this… Ricky inspired me as a young boy to go on and do great things in boxing,” he began. “I wanted to be just like him; the ringwalks, the flashy shorts, the fans, the chanting. “When I was a little kid, he was fighting for his world title in Manchester against Kostya Tszyu and I was there along with a lot of young proper kids who were also inspired by Ricky. “So, without Ricky Hatton, Manchester would not have had, the North West would not have had, the UK would not have had so many boxing world champions… inspired by the great Richard ‘the Hitman’ Hatton. Rest in peace, Rick. See you soon, buddy.” Our coverage today has been helped by Daily Star reporter Jerry Lawton, who was outside the service in Manchester. Thankfully, this meant that he was able to lay down a wreath from us in honour of the boxing legend. Perhaps the biggest star to turn up to Hatton’s funeral was Liam Gallagher – although brother Noel was nowhere to be seen. Clad entirely in black, he was accompanied by his partner Debbie Gwyther and family members, alongside Stone Roses icon Mani, as they came to pay their respects to the boxing great. In a moving moment during the service, the Oasis song ‘Live Forever’ echoed through the cathedral. Following the service, service concluded, Liam delivered his own heartfelt gesture by blowing a kiss towards the Blue Moon coffin as it prepared to carry Ricky on his final voyage to his cherished Etihad Stadium. Aside from his love of boxing, it was no secret that Hatton’s other love was Manchester City. He was such a fan that his coffin was clad in a sky blue colour and, following the ending of the service at Manchester Cathedral, the funeral cortege then made its way to the Etihad Stadium for one final trip. Hundreds of fans have welcomed him, chanting “there’s only one Ricky Hatton.” Many were applauding and cheering as the hearse made its way to the front of the stadium. Hatton’s 24-year-old son, Campbell, gave a beautiful eulogy to his dad at the service. He said: “Never has a father and son had so much in common. I looked up to my dad in every aspect of life. All of that was fuelled by the love I had and always will have for him. I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you dad. “I can’t believe we’re not going to make any new memories together. But the ones I have I will treasure forever.” Among the mourners today at the funeral, many felt that Hatton was nothing but the ‘people’s champion. Amir Khan used this term this in his tribute, while boxing commentator Adam Smith said at Hatton’s service: “He was warrior and a legend, the people’s champion. What a ride it was. There is and ever will be one Ricky Hatton…” His address triggered applause, cheers and a chorus of ‘Walking In A Ricky Wonderland’ to 10,000 fans listening outside the cathedral. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .