BBC Breakfast paid a touching tribute to the Dancing on Ice star ahead of his funeral today (October 10), featuring an interview with Hatton’s former coach Blain Younis. Younis described Hatton as “a hero” to the local community, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“People are coming to lay flowers outside the gym and his house and you can just see how it’s impacted the town,” he said. “It’s like it’s hit people hard.”
“He was like the hero of Hyde,” he continued. “The astonishing thing was the heights he reached in boxing and celebrity life. He still knew everyone on a personal level around this town.”
BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt informed viewers that thousands were expected to line the streets of Greater Manchester to bid a final farewell to Hatton, before his midday funeral.
The procession will begin from Gee Cross in Hyde, making its way to Manchester Cathedral.
Hatton, who built a gym for his community, will have his procession pause there, allowing fans to reflect on their loss.
As mourners pass a pub cellar where the Hattons constructed a boxing ring, doves will be released in honour of the late sports star.
The procession will then reach Manchester Arena, a venue where Hatton often showcased his boxing prowess.
Hatton was found dead on 14 September.
His family later paid tribute, stating: “He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.
“Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.”
Gethin Jones has further fuelled speculation he’s in a new romance with his Morning Live co-star Helen Skelton after sending her a flirty birthday message
16:38, 20 Jul 2025Updated 16:38, 20 Jul 2025
Helen Skelton is thought to have found love again with Morning Live co-star Gethin Jones (Image: Instagram)
Gethin Jones has continued to fuel romance rumours with his Morning Live co-star Helen Skelton after he sent her a sweet birthday message on social media.
The TV presenters have been close pals for a while, but their friendship is said to have developed into something more after they were spotted leaving the BAFTAs together back in May. Though they have yet to confirm they are in a relationship, they have been spotted hanging out off set and enjoying a spa day at a country club recently.
In a further clue things are hotting up between the pair, Gethin, 47, took to his Instagram stories to publicly wish Helen happy birthday as she turned 42 on Saturday. Posting a photo of animal-loving Helen surrounded by a flock of sheep, Gethin wrote ‘Pen-blwydd Hapus’, which is Happy Birthday in his native Welsh.
He then joked: “Having the best time hanging out with your mates,” and added a kiss at the end of the message, suggesting their relationship is more than platonic.
Gethin’s sweet ‘Happy Birthday’ post to rumoured new love Helen Skelton (Image: Instagram )
The single stars have both had their hearts broken in recent years. Gethin’s engagement to Katherine Jenkins was called off in 2011 and he’s had a string of short relationships since. While Helen split from ex-husband Richie Myler – who she shares three kids with – back in 2022.
Helen and Leeds Rhinos rugby player Richie, 35, had been married eight years and had just welcomed their third child, Elsie, when he they split. He now has two more children with Stephanie, also 35, whose millionaire father Andrew Thirkill is president of Richie’s rugby club.
Shocking her followers at the time, Helen broke the upsetting news on Instagram and said: “Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple. He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children.”
Writing in her 2023 autobiography, In My Stride, Helen recalled her heartbreaking split and described how she hadn’t seen it coming. She wrote: “I was in shock. I know that following break-ups, people often say they didn’t see it coming and it sounds like a cliché, but that was me.”
Gethin and Helen present Morning Live together(Image: Instagram)
Despite Richie leaving her, Helen refuses to cut him out of her life entirely for the sake of their kids. She says she always wants her children to have a father figure and know their parents were once in love and happy. It’s for this reason she’s decided to keep photos of her and Richie on her Instagram, instead of deleting them. She explained: “I want them to know that we loved each other, but things change and that’s OK too.”
Welshman Gethin has not been romantically linked to anyone since he dated First Dates star Cici Coleman. In the past, he is also thought to have briefly dated former The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh.
Gethin and Helen first sparked rumours of a possible romance in March when they both took part in a 24-hour roller skate challenge for Comic Relief which raised £34 million for charity. Gethin has publicly praised Helen’s resilience as he gushed about how he loved spending time with her.
While Helen publicly said of Gethin: “My dear @gethinjonesc… You are some man. I don’t publicly say often enough how much love and respect I have for you my friend because I assume it is well known, but for the record you’re a legend and I am beyond grateful to have you by my side on the rink, the sofa and beyond.’
So if Helen has found love again with Gethin it would be some happy news. And it certainly looks like it’s heading that way. A source told MailOnline: “Helen and Gethin have an extremely close working relationship and there’s a feeling in recent months their friendship has blossomed into a deeper connection. They’re both keen to keep a lid on it to avoid public scrutiny, but there’s no denying their closeness both on and off screen.”
