Ricky Hatton said 'helping others is my medicine' in emotional final Mirror interview

Ricky Hatton described helping others as his "medicine" in an emotional interview with Mirror, which saw him open up about his mental health, before his heartbreaking death. The 46-year-old boxer's body was sadly found at his Manchester home by police today,Sunday, 14 September.

In an interview with Mirrorback in 2023, Ricky spoke of his mental health battles and how helping others by sharing his story was the thing that kept him going. "I struggled badly before, which is well documented. I've come from a very, very bad place to where I am today," said Ricky, who battled depression back in 2007 and later become a mental health ambassador to help others.

He continued, "The best thing for me, is when people say to me, 'Ricky, look where you were a few years ago and look at you now', I was in a bad place a few years ago. When I do my talks, I tell my jokes and my stories and I get a few laughs, then I go into my mental health, and afterwards, it's sad how many people - 15 or 20 people - will come up to me."

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"They will say, 'I have mental health struggles Ricky and listening to you was very inspiring', that's what it is all about for me . And I still have mental health [struggles] but that's my medicine."

Ricky - who added that supporting important causes was "part of his job" - became an ambassador for the mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably in 2023, and often gave inspiring public talks about his own experiences.

Tributes have been flooding in for Ricky following the news of his death, which was confirmed by Greater Manchester Police.

A spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious."

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton dead: Boxing icon, 46, found at home as tributes pour in - updates

Ricky, who was known in the boxing world as "The Hitman", last fought professionally in 2012, but had been training ahead of his return to the ring in December. He was also due to attend Sunday's Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, home of his beloved Man City.

Paying homage to the sportsman, fellow fighter Tyson Fury said on Sunday: "RIP to the legend @rickyhatton, may he RIP. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can't believe this, so young."

Meanwhile, Chris Eubank Jr added: "Rest in Peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you," and Michael Owen wrote: "RIP Ricky Hatton. What a guy. And what a fighter. Incredibly sad news."

If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk

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