Ricky will be remembered for entertaining in and out of the ring, with his ability to make anyone laugh, as fondly recalled by the MEN’s Dianne BourneRicky received a standing ovation at a charity event at The Hilton Hotel in February 2008(Image: PAUL SIMPSON PSP PHOTO)

Boxing catapulted Ricky Hatton to worldwide fame, but he was a born entertainer in and out of the ring.

As his fame grew as the Hitman, demand for Ricky the man on the Manchester social scene was even more intense.

His huge personality – and innate comic streak – made him an in-demand after-dinner speaker and masterful showman, his comedy routine was so funny it would be the envy of most professional comedians.

He was a man who simply had funny bones, perhaps that’s what helped him roll with all the punches in his career, and the highs and lows in his personal life.

As the world mourns the loss of Ricky today at 46, I fondly recall all the many times I saw Ricky do what he did best – and that was to make people smile.

At the height of his fame in the noughties, fresh from winning boxing world titles, I’d sit and watch as he captivated hundreds of guests at charity balls across Manchester that I’d be covering for the MEN.

Guests, myself included, would be near rolling around in stitches, so funny was his after-dinner routine.

Never afraid to laugh at himself, the funniest jokes would show off that self-deprecating northern wit.

“I’m known for putting weight on in-between fights and you should have seen me at the start of training,” he’d begin, before quipping: “I got on the rowing machine and it sank.”

Ricky plays it for laughs with (and for) the camera for the MEN in 2008(Image: PAUL SIMPSON PSP PHOTO)

Talking about his success on the after-dinner circuit, he told me with that cheeky grin back in 2008: “It makes a change entertaining an audience without someone smashing your teeth in.”

I saw first hand just how happy it made people to meet Ricky, to be in the presence of Ricky.

Wherever he went people would clamour for photos, some jokily putting their fists up to play-fight, always keen to hear a cheeky quip along the way.

In turn, he’d happily play along, play up for the cameras, allowing people to have their moment.

Ricky sang alongside Recardo Patrick and Wayne Rooney at Lounge Ten(Image: MEN)

And even on his own nights out, he would still love to entertain – particularly with his love of an impromptu sing song.

I remember reporting on a night at the old Lounge Ten in Manchester when he duetted with Wayne Rooney and Sweet Sensation’s Recardo Patrick to the delight of diners.

Meanwhile his last public appearance was another one of those surprises – when he jumped up to sing a song from his beloved Oasis on a night out in Ibiza.

He mixed as easily with ordinary Mancs as much as showbiz royalty, and his passion for Manchester City made for many memorable nights out with his footballing idols too.

Ricky Hatton with Carlos Tevez at an end-of-season party with Man City stars (Image: Carl Sukonik | The Vain Photogra)

Naturally among the thousands of tributes flooding in today have been from across the showbiz and sports world.

All recalling fond moments with the star, and all sending love and sincere condolences to the Hatton family.

Paddy McGuinness had to fight back tears as the news broke of his death during his live show on Radio 2 on Sunday morning, and his tribute afterwards sums up Ricky to a tee.

Paddy McGuinness pictured with Ricky in 2008(Image: PAUL SIMPSON PSP PHOTO)

Paddy wrote: “I’ve had some great times with Ricky over the years.

“From being out in Vegas to the streets of Manchester, he always had time for everyone.”

While Manchester music legend Rowetta hailed him a “legend with a heart of gold” adding: “Going to miss that love & laughter.”

She added: “Not just a world champion boxer but his one man shows were up there with the best. An incredible father, grandfather and friend.”

Ricky Hatton played it for laughs with Ryan Thomas at the Michael Josephson MBE Charity Ball on November 11, 2023(Image: Carl Sukonik/TheVain.co.uk)

The last time I met Ricky, he was, yet again, having us all in stitches.

It was at the annual Michael Josephson charity ball at the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate in late 2023, where he was joshing with former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas after they’d both been confirmed to take part in ITV’s Dancing On Ice skating show.

I asked why he’d wanted to take part, and what he thought his chances were on the show.

“I thought after the boxing career, why not go on your arse one last time?” He deadpanned to me, and then urged everyone who’d listen to vote for Ryan, not himself, when the TV competition started.

It summed up a man who loved to make people laugh – often at the expense of himself – while championing others.

Looking back at some of these old photos from our archive of Ricky, so cheeky, so funny, it brings that smile back again. And for me that will be the lasting legacy of a Mancunian legend gone too soon.