Ricky Hatton’s son dating daughter of dad’s ‘best friend’ after tragic death | Boxing | Sport
The son of boxing legend Ricky Hatton has begun a new relationship with the daughter of one of his late father’s closest friends. Campbell Hatton, 25, is finding solace during his grief from girlfriend Brooke Heaton, 22, whose father Simon Heaton manages a non-league football club.
Simon, aged 51, was childhood friends with Ricky, who sadly died in September at the age of 46, and regarded him as his best friend. The pair have recently gone public with their relationship, including when Brooke recently celebrated Campbell’s birthday with an Instagram tribute.
In a touching post alongside several photographs of the couple, she wrote: “Happy birthday Campbell. You are so special. Have the best day, I love you.”
Campbell, who has a seven-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, spent the New Year holiday with Brooke and other family members, posting pictures from their break on social media.
Commenting on one photograph of the couple, friend Chelle Wray wrote: “Aw, you’re with Simon’s daughter, love this… You look lovely together. Keep on keeping on Campbell.
“We’re all wanting to see you and the family push on through in one piece. No rush… Baby steps all the way and always in your own time too Xx.”
Andrea Mellor wrote: “Be happy, your dad would approve. Love from Benidorm.”
In recent weeks, Campbell and Brooke have posted a string of intimate photographs together, including one at a football match where they were supporting Ricky’s beloved Manchester City.
Further images show Campbell with his arms around Brooke’s waist in front of a mirror, and her cosying up to him at a restaurant.
Brooke’s father Simon appeared in the 2023 documentary film ‘Hatton’, which featured Ricky opening up about his mental health battles.
Simon was shown alongside four of Ricky’s closest friends at the Harehill Tavern, a pub operated by Simon’s family where Ricky was a regular.
In the documentary, Simon discussed Ricky’s early athletic abilities, remembering: “You’d be upstairs in the pub and you’d just hear ‘bang, bang. What’s that noise? It would be Ricky downstairs banging the [punch] bags.”
Simon, who currently manages North West Counties League Premier Division club Abbey Hey FC, continued: “He was a good footballer, as well.
“We used to organise football tournaments and if you didn’t have Rick on your side your ankles were black and blue. You didn’t pick him on your team, you were f*****.”
In October, hundreds of mourners, including prominent figures such as boxing world champion Tyson Fury and Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, attended Ricky’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral to pay their respects in an emotional ceremony.
