Among the star-studded attendees who gathered at Manchester Cathedral to bid a final farewell to Ricky Hatton yesterday, one individual notably stood out from the crowd.

For the 6ft 9in Tyson Fury arrived at the funeral of his late friend with an extraordinary colourful suit made up entirely of images of himself.

The Gypsy King, towering over fellow mourners such as Liam Gallagher and Wayne Rooney, was seen holding a McDonald’s coffee cup upon his arrival, dressed in an eye-catching two-piece suit.

The suit, complemented by a black shirt, tie, and waistcoat, showcased religious iconography, depicting Fury in front of stained glass windows.

His attire drew some criticism towards the two-time heavyweight world champion for choosing such a bold outfit during a solemn event where thousands gathered to pay respects to Hatton, who passed away at 46 last month.

But it has now emerged that he may have donned the outfit as a heartwarming nod to his friendship with the late boxer.

Interestingly, during Fury’s presentation of BT Sports’ coverage in 2020, when Daniel Dubois triumphed over Ricardo Snijders, he wore a similar suit adorned with images of historical boxers, which Hatton humorously critiqued at the time.

Tyson Fury arrived for Ricky Hatton’s funeral in a suit brimming with images of himself

Hatton mocked Fury in 2020 for wearing a similar suit covered in boxers through the ages 

Clutching a McDonalds coffee, Fury showed off his matching suit and pants, with images depicting him on a throne wearing a crown

Fury caught up with former boxer Tony Bellew as he settled into the crowd on Friday morning

The front cover of the order of service for Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral on Friday

Tyson Fury and Tommy Fury depart after the funeral service for Ricky Hatton on Friday

In a social media clip recorded from a pub, Hatton joked: ‘Tyson, what’s with that suit? I recall when David Haye wore questionable suits, but now you’ve surpassed him, you fool, oh my goodness!’

Boxing promoter Lou DiBella reinforced the message that the Gypsy King was paying tribute to Hatton by donning the striking attire, as he hit back at those criticising Fury online.

He wrote on X: ‘For all those who are inclined to make snarky comments about Fury under the post below, he is there for Ricky. Ricky Hatton is looking down chuckling at the big Gypsy.

‘If you think Ricky would have given a s*** what Tyson wore to his send off, you didn’t know him. Blessings to all grieving today. God bless Ricky Hatton, a truly good man. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton.’

Fury, who is known for his striking outfits, also paid a more serious tribute to Hatton while on his morning run before the funeral.

In a video he shared online, Fury said: ‘Today is the day of Ricky Hatton’s funeral. And I’m not going to be alone here when I say this, but Ricky inspired me as a young boy to go on and do great things in boxing.

‘I wanted to be just like him: the ring walks, the flashy shorts, the fans, the chanting.

‘When I was a little kid, he was fighting for his world title in Manchester and I was there, along with a lot of kids, to watch a world title fight by Ricky.

‘So without Ricky Hatton, Manchester wouldn’t have had, the north west wouldn’t have had, the UK wouldn’t have had so many boxing world champions inspired by the great Hitman Hatton.

‘Rest in peace, Rick. See you soon, buddy.’

The Gypsy King was seen speaking to former boxer Tony Bellew, as well as Oasis frontman Gallagher – a long-term friend of Hatton who joined him on his ring walk once in 2008 – and Manchester United legend Rooney at the service.

Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther at Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral

Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther touch Ricky Hatton’s coffin after the funeral

The coffin of Ricky Hatton is carried out of Manchester Cathedral on Friday afternoon

Mourners leaving the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral on Friday afternoon

Tyson Fury and former footballer Wayne Rooney arrive to attend the funeral on Friday morning

Hatton’s three-wheeled Reliant Robin in the procession arriving at the Etihad Stadium 

He led the great and good of British boxing with Amir Khan, Tony Bellew, Frank Bruno, Scott Welch, Derek Chisora and Frazer Clarke arriving as well as former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff.

Also among the mourners were Hatton’s emotional parents Carol and Ray who led the rest of his family into the service; as well as former trainer Billy Graham, from whom he was inseparable on his journey from an amateur to the top of the boxing world.

Other celebrities included Rooney’s wife Coleen, Hatton’s ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney, comedian Paddy McGuinness, darts legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones, TV personality Calum Best, ex-Manchester City footballer Paul Dickov, sports presenter Chris Kamara and EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney.

As mourners arrived at the cathedral, a brass band played Winter Wonderland, synonymous with his fans’ chant ‘There’s Only One Ricky Hatton’, which rang round the many stadiums he fought in.

Hundreds of people outside broke into applause as the cortege arrived. Several shouts of ‘go on Ricky’ were heard and people sang ‘There’s Only One Ricky Hatton’.

The service was played to the crowds outside the cathedral and Hatton’s son Campbell, who followed his father into the boxing ring, paid an emotional tribute, saying: ‘I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you, dad, and that we won’t be making any new memories – but the ones we did I will cherish forever.’

He added: ‘Growing up I looked up to my dad in every aspect of life whether it be following in a career in boxing like he did or the way he carried himself out of the ring. But all of that was fuelled by the love I had and always will have for him.

‘I am so proud of my dad that it’s hard to put into words. Not just his boxing career, the one-of-a-kind fanbase and the things that made him the People’s Champion but because of how happy we all were when we were all together.’

Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther at Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral

The funeral cortege of Ricky Hatton passes his boxing gym in his hometown of Hyde

Ricky Hatton’s hearse arrives at the Etihad Stadium on Friday afternoon following the funeral

Oasis star Liam Gallagher leaves Manchester Cathedral after Hatton’s funeral on Friday

The coffin of Ricky Hatton is carried out of Manchester Cathedral on Friday afternoon

Mourners look on as the funeral cortege of Ricky Hatton passes by in Manchester on Friday

Coleen Rooney and Wayne Rooney attend the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, attends the funeral of Ricky Hatton on Friday

Tommy Fury arrives ahead of the funeral service for Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral

Boxer Derek Chisora attends Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral on Friday

Shaun Ryder and Bez from the Happy Mondays in attendance in Manchester on Friday

Darts legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor arrives at Manchester Cathedral on Friday morning

Hatton’s yellow Reliant Robin from Only Fools and Horses forms part of the cortege on Friday

Mourners outside the Cheshire Cheese pub – Hatton’s local – on Stockport Road in Hyde

Hatton’s yellow Reliant Robin from Only Fools and Horses forms part of the cortege today 

A mock-up of Hatton as Del Boy on the side of the Reliant Robin at Manchester Cathedral

Paddy McGuinness attends the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral on Friday

Former footballer and TV presenter Chris Kamara arrives for Ricky Hatton’s funeral on Friday

Wayne Lineker, brother of broadcaster Gary Lineker, at Manchester Cathedral on Friday

Former boxer Tony Bellow arrives at Manchester Cathedral for the funeral on Friday

Hatton’s daughter Fearne, 12, said: ‘Over the 12 years I have had with you, we have made so many memories. The memories I have loved the most was when we were at your house watching Grown Ups or being in the games room playing darts.’

And his daughter Millie, 13, said: ‘I cherish all the memories we had – singing Oasis in the car, in particular Live Forever… just seeing your face in general.

‘Although you were the greatest boxer and I am forever proud of all you achieved in the ring, my favourite times with you were when we were just in the house singing Oasis and watching Grown Ups. I miss you unconditionally, daddy.’

Hatton’s mother Carol said in a statement read on her behalf: ”The Hitman’ was adored by his army of fans – the People’s Champion, and he would say that’s how he would want to be remembered. Long before this accolade he was our little champion from the day he was born.’

Scores of Mancunians also lined the streets to watch Hatton’s procession and to pay their respect to one of the city’s favourite sons.

The funeral cortege departed from the Cheshire Cheese pub – Hatton’s local – on Stockport Road in Hyde and travelled to the Harehill Tavern, with doves being released his honour honour at The New Inn.

 In a nod to Hatton’s love of classic TV comedy Only Fools and Horses, his yellow Reliant Robin van formed part of the cortege, transported on a low-loader trailer.