Heartbreaking Revelation: Ricky Hatton’s Ex-Girlfriend Shares His Final Video – A Chilling Detail Emerges from His Last Night Alive
The boxing world, already shrouded in grief over the sudden death of British legend Ricky Hatton at just 46, has been further shaken by a poignant tribute from his ex-girlfriend, Claire Sweeney. The Coronation Street actress, who shared a whirlwind romance with Hatton after meeting on Dancing On Ice in 2024, has broken her silence with an emotional post that includes what appears to be one of the fighter’s final videos. This footage, capturing Hatton in high spirits just days before his tragic passing, has left fans devastated. But it’s a chilling detail about his last night alive—revealed through family statements and insider accounts—that has sparked widespread speculation and heartbreak, painting a picture of a man who seemed on the verge of a triumphant comeback yet was alone in his final moments.
Hatton, known as “The Hitman,” was discovered unresponsive at his home in Gee Cross, Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday, September 14, 2025, around 7:42 a.m. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious, with a post-mortem underway to determine the exact cause. The former world champion in two weight classes had announced a sensational return to the ring just weeks prior, set for December 2 in Dubai against Eisa Al Dah. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes, but none as personal as Sweeney’s, which has humanized the loss in a profoundly moving way.
Claire Sweeney, 54, and Hatton had known each other for over two decades before their romance ignited during the ITV skating show. They dated for eight months, splitting amicably in December 2024, but remained close friends. Sweeney, who plays Cassie Plummer on Coronation Street, posted a montage on Instagram on Tuesday, September 16, featuring photos and a video of Hatton training in his home gym. Set to Elvis Presley’s “If I Can Dream,” the clip shows Hatton sweating through a treadmill session, looking fit and focused, just days before his death. “I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky,” she wrote. “My thoughts are with his family especially his children Campbell, Millie, Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter. To them, Speaky [Paul Speak, Hatton’s manager] 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.”
The video, which Hatton himself shared on Instagram two days before his death, captures him grinning at the camera amid heavy breaths, captioned simply about his preparation for the comeback fight. Fans flooded the comments with heartbreak, one writing, “This is so sad, he looked so happy and healthy.” Another added, “RIP Ricky, gone too soon. That smile will be missed.” But the footage’s timing—mere days before the end—has amplified the tragedy, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.
What elevates this tribute to truly chilling territory is the emerging details of Hatton’s final hours, particularly a revelation about his last night alive that underscores his isolation despite outward optimism. According to a new family statement released on Wednesday, September 17, via Hatton’s Instagram, the boxer had enjoyed a “lovely meal” with his daughters Millie and Fearne at Thai Botanico restaurant, followed by a visit to a safari center. Photos from the outing, shared weeks earlier, show Hatton beaming proudly beside his girls and granddaughter Lyla. “He was in a good place,” the family stated. “To all our knowledge, despite his well-documented struggles, Richard was excited for the future. His bag was packed for a trip to Dubai to promote his comeback fight, and he was planning a celebration there with his daughters—they were finally going to see him box for the first time.”
Yet, the heartbreaking twist comes from accounts of the nights leading up to his discovery. Boxing commentator Steve Bunce, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, revealed that Hatton missed a gym session on Friday, September 12—an unusual lapse for the disciplined fighter prepping for his return. More alarmingly, on Saturday night, September 13—his last night alive—he failed to attend a boxing show where one of his trainees was fighting. This absence raised immediate concerns among his inner circle. His long-time manager and confidant, Paul Speak, grew worried and let himself into Hatton’s Bowlacre Road home the next morning, around 6:45 a.m., where he tragically found the body. “Speaky went round and let himself into the house. In fact, it was Paul Speak who found his great friend and the people’s champion Ricky Hatton,” Bunce detailed.
This chilling detail—that Hatton, who had just shared a family dinner and was buzzing about his future, spent his final evening alone and unaccounted for—has fueled speculation about what might have gone wrong. Given Hatton’s well-publicized battles with depression, alcohol, and substance abuse post-retirement, whispers of suicide or overdose have circulated, though officials have urged caution until the post-mortem results. In his 2013 autobiography, Hitting Below the Weight, Hatton openly discussed multiple suicide attempts, saying, “I was suicidal. I tried killing myself several times.” Friends insist he had turned a corner, with Sweeney noting in her tribute how he seemed “in such good form” during recent interactions. Former skating partner Robin Johnstone echoed this, saying Hatton was “doing so well” and had even brought his daughters to see her on tour.
Sweeney’s post has resonated deeply, not just for the video but for its raw emotion. She supported Hatton’s comeback announcement weeks ago, commenting “This is brilliant” on a press conference video. Now, that enthusiasm feels hauntingly prophetic. Other exes have also spoken out; model Chelsea Claire, who dated Hatton briefly in 2023 after meeting in a Tenerife nightclub, posted, “You were an inspiration… I was lucky to call you my partner.” She described their first meeting fondly, noting his humor and dance-floor energy, 14 years her senior notwithstanding.
The tributes extend far beyond personal connections. Hatton’s son, Campbell, a rising boxer, shared family photos with the caption, “Heartbroken isn’t the word. Dad, you were my hero, my best mate.” Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn called him “a true warrior,” while rival Manny Pacquiao remembered his “bravery in the ring and out.” Even Oasis’s Noel Gallagher, a close friend, lamented, “Ricky was like a brother.” On X, posts about the final video have gone viral, with users like @MailSport sharing the clip and noting, “Former World Boxing Champion looked fit and sharp as he sweated through training just days before his death.”
Hatton’s career was a tapestry of triumphs and trials. From dethroning Kostya Tszyu in 2005 to his valiant losses against Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao, he amassed 45 wins (32 KOs) in 52 fights. A Manchester City fanatic, his post-fight parties were legendary, often featuring Oasis sing-alongs. Retirement brought darkness—he entered rehab multiple times and faced family rifts—but recent years showed resilience, including training Kazakh boxer Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world title.
This latest revelation from his ex-girlfriend and the details of his solitary last night have intensified calls for better mental health support in sports. As one X user posted, “Ricky’s final video shows him thriving, but that missed event on Saturday night… it’s chilling. We need to check on our heroes more.” A makeshift memorial outside his home grows daily, with fans leaving gloves, scarves, and flowers.
Hatton’s family has requested privacy, stating no further public comments. As Sweeney concluded in her tribute, “Love you always.” For a man whose heart was as big as his punch, these final glimpses—joyful yet foreboding—serve as a poignant epitaph. The boxing world mourns not just a champion, but a flawed, beloved everyman whose light flickered out too soon.
