Family: 'Ricky was in a good place... excited for the future'

RICKY Hatton’s distraught family have released a heartbreaking new statement in which they said he seemed to be “in a good place” and “excited for the future”.

- By CHRIS SLATER

Mancunian icon Ricky was found dead at his home in Gee Cross, Hyde, on Sunday morning. Tributes have poured in from across the world of boxing and beyond for the widely-adored world champion.

Ricky’s cause of death has not yet been disclosed but Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said there were “not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances”.

This morning, a statement from Ricky’s family and team was published on Ricky's official Instagram page.

In it, they confirmed the 46-year-old, who they refer to by his full name Richard, was found by his long-term manager and friend Paul Speak.

They said he had spent time with his family in the days beforehand and revealed how they have all been left “distraught” at his shock passing.