news-engine

- Jennifer Dooley dated Ricky Hatton for seven years - Jennifer is the mother to Ricky’s two daughters - She confesses she always knew that Ricky would never grow old Beloved British boxer Ricky Hatton tragically died on September 14, 2025, when he was discovered unresponsive at home by his manager and long-term friend, Paul Speak. The two-time world champion, was just 46-years-old. The streets of Manchester were lined for his funeral a few weeks later, with a 14-mile procession weaving through the city. Head of boxing at Sky Sports Adam Smith, who delivered the eulogy at Hatton’s funeral, has now written a book – Ricky Hatton: The Light That Never Goes Out – where he spoke to the fighter’s former partners about the boxer. This involved Dooley, who had only addressed Hatton’s death previously during his inquest and said: “I always knew he wasn’t going to be an old man.” Hatton and Dooley began seeing each other shortly after his world title victory over Kostya Tszyu in 2005. They went on to have two daughters together, Millie and Fearne. He also has a son, Campbell, from a previous relationship. They got engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2009 but separated in 2016 as Hatton battled alcoholism and substance abuse. Dooley made the heartbreaking confession in the book, saying: “I always knew he wasn’t going to be an old man. Rick was quite childlike and maybe he never really became an independent, fully functioning adult. I think that’s why he got on with his kids so well. Rick’s favourite time was with his girls. “He lived for everybody else. He was vulnerable about mental health and so many have come to me since his passing and said they had been very close to the edge. “Rick was really empathetic and looked at life through a wide lens, not concentrating on himself. He thought he was the same as everyone else, with small children, trying to navigate life, but he was actually a trailblazer. I wish we could have done something, but he wanted to save others. “He was as daft as a brush but also so switched on, a contradiction, yes, but he felt very deeply. Millie and Fearne loved their time in the house with him. He was really affectionate and cuddly and they loved him hugely.” Smith also spoke to former Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney, who dated Hatton in early 2024, with their time on ITV’s Dancing on Ice bringing them together after years of friendship. Sweeney and Hatton’s romance lasted less than a year before they parted ways in December 2024, with the two remaining on good terms. She said: “I was blessed to be part of his life. “He was such a good dad and I have a son so I understood. Ricky introduced me to his great mates. We spoke all the time. Ricky was the joker and although he had his deep moments, the only thing I noticed was that he became unusually reflective. He always had so much time for people. “My happiest time was when I would come home from filming Corrie and we would cook a nice, healthy meal. Not naughty food. I even introduced him to an air fryer and it changed his life! “Ricky would get so excited choosing a boxing movie for his home cinema. We would sit on the sofa and watch films. He was so normal. [But] I saw his vulnerabilities. “He was not frightened to show me then. He was extreme, but he was wonderful. I loved being with all his mates at the pub on the estate or having a sing-song at home. So much laughter. He made me laugh so much.”