Ricky Hatton's Funeral: Sky-Blue Coffin & Reliant Robin Give 'People's Champion' Final Send-Off

Yeah, some send-offs you just don’t forget. And Manchester’s farewell to Ricky Hatton on Friday, October 10, 2025, was one for the ages. We’re not just talking about a funeral. We’re talking about a city-wide embrace for a true working-class hero, a boxer who was so much more than his titles.

Thousands of fans lined the streets. Not to mourn in silence, but to celebrate a life lived to the fullest. It was an extraordinary scene, a powerful goodbye to “The People’s Champion” who passed away on September 14, 2025, at just 46 years old.

A Send-Off Like No Other

Look, you’ve got to understand this wasn’t your typical procession. Leading the whole thing was a bright yellow Reliant Robin van. Seriously. It was a nod to Hatton’s favorite TV show, “Only Fools and Horses.” He was a massive fan and even owned one of the original vans from the show. It was quirky, it was funny, and it was so, so Ricky.

And then there was the coffin. It was sky-blue, emblazoned with the words “Blue Moon.” If you’re a football fan, you know what that means. It was a tribute to his walk-out song and his unwavering love for Manchester City Football Club. His final journey even ended at their home ground, the Etihad Stadium.

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Key Takeaways

Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton was laid to rest in Manchester on October 10, 2025.
His funeral cortege was led by a yellow Reliant Robin van from the show “Only Fools and Horses.”
His coffin was sky-blue, paying tribute to his beloved Manchester City FC.
Thousands of fans and celebrities like Tyson Fury, Liam Gallagher, and Wayne Rooney attended.
The procession passed significant places in his life, from his local pub to his gym.

Legends Pay Their Respects

The sheer number of famous faces tells you everything you need to know about the respect Hatton commanded. Boxing royalty was there in force. We’re talking Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, and Tony Bellew. They came to say goodbye to one of their own.

But it wasn’t just boxers. Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was there. So were football star Wayne Rooney and cricketer Andrew Flintoff. It was a who’s who of British sport and culture, all there for one man. His son, Campbell, gave an emotional tribute, reminding everyone why his dad was truly “the people’s champion.”

A Journey Through His Life

The two-hour procession wasn’t just a drive to the cathedral. It was a map of his life. It started at his local pub, The Cheshire Cheese, and wound its way past his gym, Hyde Town Hall, and other spots that shaped him. It was a final tour of the community he loved and that loved him right back.

The service at Manchester Cathedral was the formal part, but the real tribute was out on those streets. It was in the applause, the thrown flowers, and the shared stories. It was a testament to a man who fought like a lion in the ring but never lost his connection to the people. A true one-off. What’s your favourite Ricky Hatton memory?