Ricky Hatton, the beloved British boxing icon known for his fierce punches and down-to-earth charm, left an indelible mark on the sport before his untimely passing at age 46. Found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on September 14, 2025, his death shocked fans and loved ones alike, with police confirming no suspicious circumstances. Beyond the ring, Ricky’s life revolved around a vibrant, sometimes chaotic family dynamic that included long-term romances, three kids, and a rocky relationship with his parents, all set against his working-class roots in Stockport.
Growing up on the Hattersley council estate, Ricky came from a household steeped in sports, with his dad, Ray, and granddad both having played football for Rochdale. His mom, Carol, ran a carpet stall at Glossop Market, and the family once managed a pub, instilling in him a gritty resilience that carried through his career and personal ups and downs. He had a brother, Matthew, who also stepped into the boxing world, trained under their father’s management, creating a tight-knit yet occasionally strained sibling bond amid the pressures of the fight game.
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Romances That Shaped His World
Ricky Hatton’s love life was a rollercoaster of passionate connections, filled with highs of companionship and lows of heartbreak, but he never walked down the aisle in marriage. Despite never having a wife, his most enduring partnership was with Jennifer Dooley, starting back in 2005 and lasting over a decade until their split in 2016. They shared a home called the Heartbreak Hotel in Hyde, and Jennifer stood by him during pinnacle moments like receiving his MBE in 2007 and celebrating world title wins. Yet, their time together wasn’t without turbulence—rumors of infidelity, including an affair with Irish boxer Emma Bowe in 2010, led to temporary breakups before the final parting.
Before Jennifer, in his early twenties, Ricky had a short fling with a woman named Claire, which resulted in the birth of his first child. Later relationships kept the headlines buzzing: he dated longtime pal Marie Pollard from 2017 to 2018, with a failed attempt to reunite in 2021; then came Charlie Nordell for two years until 2020, when differing life paths pulled them apart as she eyed a move to Dubai.
In 2022, beauty therapist Angela Blemmings entered the picture, but that fizzled out the next year. A quick romance with Playboy model Chelsea Claire in 2023, despite their age gap, ended due to busy schedules. Most recently, in 2024, Ricky sparked up with actress Claire Sweeney after meeting on Dancing on Ice—they’d known each other for 25 years—but called it quits amicably in December 2024, staying friends.
These relationships painted Ricky as a guy who dove headfirst into love, often blending his personal world with his public persona, like bringing partners to fights or sharing glimpses on social media. His bonds, though not formalized by wedding vows, created a support network that helped him navigate post-retirement blues, including battles with depression and addiction that he openly discussed.
Children and the Family He Cherished
At the heart of Ricky Hatton’s life were his three kids, who brought him immense joy and purpose, especially after hanging up his gloves. His eldest, Campbell (son, 24), born January 9, 2001, to ex Claire, followed in dad’s footsteps as a pro boxer, trained by uncle Matthew, but hung up his own gloves at 24 in July 2025 to install solar panels instead—a practical shift Ricky supported proudly. Campbell even gave Ricky a granddaughter named Lyla, adding a new layer of family delight.
Then there are his daughters with Jennifer: Millie, who turned 13 in September 2024, and Fearne, now 12. Ricky doted on them, throwing Millie a big bash for her birthday and often posting about family outings or their antics at home. He set up trusts for all his children early on, ensuring their futures were secure amid his fluctuating fortunes from boxing riches to reported financial woes.
Ricky’s relationship with his parents, Ray and Carol, had its share of drama—a major fallout in 2012 over money matters escalated to a punch-up with his dad, leading to years of silence. They patched things up somewhat by 2019, with Ricky voicing regrets about lost time, but a 2023 documentary stirred old wounds when his ex-trainer accused Ray of mishandling funds, prompting Carol to pen a heartfelt letter about the pain. Despite the bumps, family remained Ricky’s anchor, and his passing leaves a void for his kids, parents, brother, and extended circle, who now carry forward his spirit of resilience and warmth.
