I can't explain how much I'm going to miss you, Dad

DEVASTATED CHILDREN AND MUM OF BOXING LEGEND PAY TRIBUTE TO 'PEOPLE'S CHAMPION' AT MEMORIAL SERVICE

- By JORDAN REYNOLDS & KIM PILLING

Ricky's parents Carol and Ray Hatton outside the cathedral yesterday Campbell Hatton after the service Ricky's manager Paul Speak

THE son of former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton paid an emotional tribute to his father as a host of stars turned out for his memorial service.

Celebrities including Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen and boxers Tyson and Tommy Fury attended the private memorial service at Manchester Cathedral yesterday.

The service was played to the crowds outside the cathedral and Ricky's son Campbell, who followed his father into the boxing ring, paid tribute, saying: "I can't explain how much I'm going to miss you, Dad, and that we won't be making any new memories - but the ones we did I will cherish forever."

He added: "Growing up, I looked up to my dad in every aspect of life whether it be following in a career in boxing like he did or the way he carried himself out of the ring. But all of that was fuelled by the love I had and always will have for him.

"I am so proud of my dad that it's hard to put into words. Not just his boxing career, the one-of-a-kind fanbase and the things that made him the People's Champion, but because of how happy we all were when we were all together."