Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell Hatton has been comforted by his new girlfriend Brooke Heaton, the daughter of the late boxing legend’s ‘best mate’ Simon
Patrick Hill Senior News Reporter and Neil Docking
10:30, 10 Jan 2026Updated 11:00, 10 Jan 2026
Campbell Hatton and girlfriend Brooke Heaton(Image: FACEBOOK)
Ricky Hatton’s son, Campbell Hatton, has found solace in the arms of Brooke Heaton, the daughter of one of his late father’s closest friends.
The 25-year-old is being comforted by Brooke, whose father Simon Heaton, a non-league football manager, was a lifelong friend of Ricky, the boxing legend who died at the age of 46 in September, and who described him as his best mate.
The young couple recently made their relationship public, with Brooke posting a heartfelt birthday message for Campbell – a former boxer himself– on Instagram. “Happy birthday Campbell. You are so special. Have the best day, I love u,” she wrote alongside a series of photos of them together.
Campbell Hatton and girlfriend Brooke Heaton(Image: INSTAGRAM /)
Campbell, who shares a seven-year-old daughter with an ex-partner, rang in the New Year with Brooke and other loved ones. The pair shared snaps from their holiday on social media, sparking warm comments from friends.
One friend, Chelle Wray, commented on a photo of the couple: “Aw, you’re with Simon’s daughter, love this…you look lovely together. Keep on keeping on Campbell,” reports the Mirror.
She added words of encouragement, saying, “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”. Another friend, Andrea Mellor, chimed in with: “Be happy you’re dad would approve. Love from Benidorm.”
Ricky Hatton with his friend Simon Heaton(Image: FACEBOOK)
Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell has found love with Brooke Heaton, the daughter of the boxing legend’s friend Simon(Image: INSTAGRAM /)
Campbell and Brooke have shared numerous romantic photographs together in recent weeks, including shots from a football match where they watched Ricky’s cherished Manchester City. Additional snaps captured Campbell with his arms wrapped around Brooke’s waist before a mirror and her embracing him at a restaurant.
Brooke’s father Simon featured in the 2023 documentary film ‘Hatton’, where Ricky confessed to wanting to “drink myself to death” during his mental health struggles. Simon appeared alongside four of Ricky’s other close mates in the Harehill Tavern, which Simon’s family operate and where Ricky was a frequent visitor.
Discussing the athletic ability Ricky displayed from an early age, Simon recalled: “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.”
Brooke Heaton and Campbell Hatton watching Manchester City together(Image: INSTAGRAM /)
Brooke Heaton and Campbell Hatton have shared loved-up snaps(Image: INSTAGRAM /)
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*****.”
Ricky subsequently claimed world championships at light-welterweight and welterweight, battling some of the finest fighters in history during a brilliant 15-year career.
Simon Heaton and Ricky Hatton were good pals(Image: FACEBOOK)
He triumphed over boxing legends including Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo before enduring crushing losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jnr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
Ricky, who received an MBE in 2007, is said to have left a £40million inheritance for his children, including Campbell, Millie, 13, and Fearne, 12. Campbell was once considered a potential boxing talent, but Ricky revealed last year that his son had abandoned the sport to work as a solar panel fitter.
Hundreds of mourners attended Ricky’s funeral, with celebrities including boxing champion Tyson Fury and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher filling Manchester Cathedral for a moving tribute in October.
Campbell Hatton and Brooke Heaton(Image: FACEBOOK)
Beyond losing his father, Campbell also endured the death of his closest mate Justin Chappell in March last year. He was devastated once more when his dad’s friend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the Stone Roses bassist, passed away aged just 63 in November.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Campbell referenced these heartbreaking losses whilst suggesting how Brooke is supporting his recovery. He shared: “Late one but spent new year in my dads favourite place. 2025 as bad is it can get for me and mine.
“Lost the people close to me as well myself for most of it but started getting things back together over the last few weeks. Long way to go still but here’s to a better 2026.”