Campbell Hatton reveals addiction struggle and how father's death saved his life

Campbell Hatton, son of the late boxer Ricky Hatton, has spoken publicly for the first time about the depth of his addiction and how his father's death ultimately saved his life. The interview took place at Prince William's suicide prevention campaign launch in Liverpool, where Campbell was invited to share his story. Marking one year since his father's death, he described the difficult lead-up to the anniversary and the family's shared grief.

Campbell, who has been open about his struggles in the past, revealed that in the six months before his father died, he had lost many friends, had stepped away from boxing, and was battling alcohol and drug addiction. He said that everyone in his family expected to lose him rather than his father. When the police arrived at the house to deliver the news of Ricky Hatton's death, several relatives thought they had come to tell them that Campbell had died.

He admitted feeling ashamed that his family had to worry about him in that way, but also expressed pride in his recovery. He confirmed he is now four months sober from alcohol and eleven months from cocaine, and that he is determined to keep those numbers going up. Campbell acknowledged that the difficult days never completely disappear, but they are now much fewer and further between.

The interview also touched on how he used to respond to people who reached out to him. He said that as his drinking worsened, he would disappear for weeks at a time, and that even though he was not happy, he did not want to stop because it offered a temporary escape. He now encourages others to have open and direct conversations about mental health, including asking someone directly if they are thinking about suicide. He said the word "suicide" makes people uncomfortable, but it needs to be normalised to prevent tragedies.

Campbell also spoke warmly about his father's legacy, saying he is immensely proud of the fighter who had a unique bond with his fans. He recalled watching Ricky's fights after his career had ended and realising that no one has had a fan base like that, even today. He said he looks forward to sharing those memories with his daughter Lila when she is older.

When asked what he would say to his father now, Campbell said he would tell him that he is proud of getting himself back right. He admitted that he still works through regrets about those last months, but believes his father would be proud of where he is now. He also shared his advice for anyone struggling or for those who want to help a friend: make it easy for someone to say they are struggling, ask in a one-to-one setting, and do not feel you need to have all the answers. Simply listening and acknowledging what someone has said can make a difference.

Campbell ended by remembering his father for the laughter they shared, whether in the Aerial Tavern on Hattersley or on family trips to Tenerife. He said there was never a dull moment when they were together. The interview concluded with a reminder that help is available through Samaritans on 116-123.