Campbell Hatton, the son of late boxing legend Ricky Hatton, has gone public with new girlfriend.
The son of boxing icon Ricky Hatton has embarked on a new relationship with the daughter of one of his late father’s closest companions. Campbell Hatton, 25, is receiving comfort during his bereavement from girlfriend, Brooke Heaton, 22, whose father Simon Heaton manages a non-league football team.
Simon, aged 51, was childhood friends with Ricky, who tragically died in September, 2025, at the age of 46, and considered him his dearest mate. The couple have recently made their romance known publicly, including today when Brooke marked Campbell’s birthday with an Instagram tribute.
In a heartfelt message accompanied by several photographs of the pair, she posted: “Happy birthday Campbell.
“You are so special. Have the best day, I love u.” Campbell, who is a father to a seven-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, spent the New Year break with Brooke and other family members, sharing snapshots from their getaway on social media.
Responding to one photograph of the couple, friend Chelle Wray commented: “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.”
Andrea Mellor wrote: “Be happy, your dad would approve. Love from Benidorm.”
In recent weeks, Campbell and Brooke have shared a series of affectionate photos of themselves together – including one taken at a football match where they were cheering on Ricky’s favourite team, Manchester City.
Other snapshots show Campbell with his arms wrapped around Brooke’s waist and in front of a mirror, and her snuggling up to him in a restaurant. Brooke’s father Simon featured in the 2023 documentary film ‘Hatton’, which included Ricky confessing his struggles with mental health.
Simon was seen alongside four of Ricky’s close friends in the Harehill Tavern, a pub run by Simon’s family where Ricky was a frequent patron.
In the documentary, Simon spoke about Ricky’s early sporting prowess, 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.”
Simon, who currently manages North West Counties League Premier Division side Abbey Hey FC, added: “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 went on to win world titles in the light-welterweight and welterweight categories during an illustrious 15-year career. He triumphed over boxing icons like Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before suffering devastating losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jnr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
Ricky, who was awarded an MBE in 2007, is understood to have left behind a £40million estate for his children, including Campbell, Millie, 13, and Fearne, 12. Campbell himself was once considered a potential boxing talent, though Ricky revealed last year that his son had stepped away from the sport to pursue a career as a solar panel installer.
Hundreds of mourners, including notable figures such as boxing champion Tyson Fury and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, gathered at Manchester Cathedral in October for Ricky’s funeral, paying an emotional tribute.
Beyond losing his father, Campbell also had to deal with the death of his closest friend Justin Chappell in March last year. Further heartbreak followed in November when his dad’s close friend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield – the Stone Roses bassist – passed away at just 63.
In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, Campbell referenced these losses while suggesting that Brooke has been instrumental in his recovery.
He wrote: “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.”
