By Lisa McLoughlin

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Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher paid emotional tribute to British boxing hero Ricky Hatton, who was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester aged 46.

Police confirmed on Sunday that Hatton’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

Gallagher, 52, broke his social media silence to honour his fellow Manchester City fan, writing on X: “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.”

The singer’s heartfelt post recalled one of Hatton’s career highlights when, in 2008, Liam and his brother Noel walked the fighter to the ring in Las Vegas ahead of his world-title clash with Paulie Malignaggi.

Hatton won the bout, later calling the moment a childhood dream come true.

In a January interview with Vegas Insider, Hatton described it as “the one extra box I wanted to tick,” adding: “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a boxing world champion, support Man City and listen to Oasis.

“But I became a four-time world champion in two weight classes, ended up boxing at the Etihad Stadium in front of 55,000 people, and became mates with Noel and Liam Gallagher over the years.”

He said of the brothers carrying his belts, “I feel very proud. I’ve had bigger wins no disrespect to Paulie but the performance and the occasion with Noel and Liam carrying the belt was one of the highlights in my career.”

The friendship continued beyond the ring.

After the fight, Hatton joined the Gallagher brothers in Mexico City to watch Oasis perform, celebrating into the early hours. “They were great memories and will stay with me forever,” Hatton recalled.

The boxing community and entertainment world have been united in grief.

Hatton’s Dancing On Ice partner, Canadian skater Robin Johnstone, told The Mirror she was “shocked and devastated”, revealing they had remained close since competing together in 2024 and had been in contact less than two weeks ago.

She shared: “We’d speak every couple of weeks.. I think we Whatsapped a week or two ago. I mean we stayed in touch after DOI – he’d check in with my husband Andy [Buchanan] and I all the time.”

Adding: “Out of all my partners on the show, we kept in touch the most.

“He was in training mode and seemed in such good form, he was asking how we were… we were on the Torvill and Dean tour, and his girls came with him to see the show. We’ve met his girls quite a few times.”

The death of Hatton is not being treated as suspicious by Greater Manchester Police.

A police spokesperson said on Sunday: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today, where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.

“There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

The athlete was open about his mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring.

He announced in July that he would return to the ring in a professional bout in Dubai in December.