In a heartfelt revelation, Campbell Hatton, the son of the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton, has publicly announced his new relationship with Brooke Heaton, the daughter of one of Ricky's closest friends. At 25, Campbell is finding solace during this challenging time following his father's passing, and his bond with 22-year-old Brooke seems to be providing him with much-needed support.
Brooke's father, Simon Heaton, a non-league football team manager, shared a long-standing friendship with Ricky, who tragically passed away in September 2025 at the young age of 46. The two families have remained close, with Campbell and Brooke recently taking steps to make their relationship known to the world. They celebrated Campbell’s birthday together, with Brooke posting a sweet tribute on Instagram that read: "Happy birthday Campbell. You are so special. Have the best day, I love u." This public display of affection reflects the deepening connection between them.
During the recent New Year festivities, Campbell and Brooke enjoyed quality time with family, sharing joyful snapshots from their getaway on social media. One of Campbell's friends, Chelle Wray, commented on a photo of the couple, expressing her happiness for them: "Aw, you’re with Simon’s daughter, love this... You look lovely together. Keep on keeping on Campbell. 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 well-wisher, Andrea Mellor, added, "Be happy, your dad would approve. Love from Benidorm." The couple has been active on social media, posting numerous affectionate photos together, including moments at a football match where they cheered for Ricky’s favored team, Manchester City.
Their posts also showcase intimate moments, such as Campbell holding Brooke close or capturing playful reflections in mirrors. Notably, Simon Heaton appeared in the 2023 documentary 'Hatton', which included poignant interviews where Ricky opened up about his struggles with mental health. In one memorable scene, Simon reminisced about Ricky’s early athletic talent, recalling, "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."
Currently managing Abbey Hey FC in the North West Counties League Premier Division, Simon reflected on Ricky's multifaceted talents, saying, "He was a good footballer, as well. We used to organize football tournaments, and if you didn't have Rick on your side, your ankles were black and blue. You didn’t want to play against him."
Ricky Hatton had a remarkable boxing career, claiming world titles in both the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions over a span of 15 years, achieving victories against renowned champions like Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo. However, he faced significant defeats against elite fighters Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009. Honored with an MBE in 2007, Ricky left behind a substantial estate valued at £40 million for his children, including Campbell, Millie (13), and Fearne (12).
Although Campbell was once seen as a promising boxing prospect, he revealed last year that he has chosen to step back from the sport to explore a new career path as a solar panel installer.
Hundreds gathered at Manchester Cathedral in October to pay their respects at Ricky's funeral, including notable personalities like boxing champion Tyson Fury and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, highlighting the impact Ricky had on many lives. Additionally, Campbell has faced personal loss beyond his father's death, mourning the loss of his close friend Justin Chappell in March and later, the passing of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, a close family friend and bassist for the Stone Roses, in November.
In a reflective Facebook post shared recently, Campbell acknowledged these profound losses while crediting Brooke for playing a crucial role in his healing journey. He expressed his feelings by stating, "Late one but spent New Year in my dad's favorite place. 2025 has been as tough as it can get for me and mine. Lost the people close to me as well as myself for most of it, but I’ve started getting things back together over the last few weeks. There’s still a long way to go, but here's to a better 2026!"
