Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Ekin Karasin,Michael Howie and Vicky Jessop

Oasis pay tribute to Ricky Hatton at Wembley gig after boxer’s death

Oasis paid heartfelt tribute to their late friend, British boxing hero Ricky Hatton, at their Wembley gig.

Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester aged 46 earlier this month, with police confirming they were not treating the death as suspicious.

Noel, 58, and Liam Gallagher, 53, commemorated their fellow Manchester City fan when they returned to London on Saturday night as part of their ‘Live 25 comeback tour.

The rockers dedicated their 1994 song, Live Forever, to Hatton as they performed to the 90,000-strong crowd.

The Britpop legends - who also recently paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in concert - flashed up a photo of Hatton on the arena’s screens as they sang.

Frontman Liam shared his “devastation” about Hatton’s death on social media earlier this month.

Oasis paid tribute to their late friend Hatton (REUTERS)

He penned on X: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about RICKY HATTON it was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts RIP CHAMP LIVE FOREVER LG.”

He was referring to one of Hatton’s career highlights when, in 2008, Liam and Noel walked the fighter to the ring in Las Vegas ahead of his world-title clash with Paulie Malignaggi.

Hatton won the bout, later calling the moment a childhood dream come true.

Hatton with Liam and Noel in 2008 (Getty Images)

In a January interview with Vegas Insider, Hatton described it as “the one extra box I wanted to tick,” adding: “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a boxing world champion, support Man City and listen to Oasis.

“But I became a four-time world champion in two weight classes, ended up boxing at the Etihad Stadium in front of 55,000 people, and became mates with Noel and Liam Gallagher over the years.”

Liam and Noel Gallagher perform on stage to fans (Vicky Jessop)

He said of the brothers carrying his belts, “I feel very proud. I’ve had bigger wins no disrespect to Paulie but the performance and the occasion with Noel and Liam carrying the belt was one of the highlights in my career.”

After the fight, Hatton joined the Gallagher brothers in Mexico City to watch Oasis perform, celebrating into the early hours.

“They were great memories and will stay with me forever,” Hatton recalled.

Oasis perform at Wembley Stadium (Vicky Jessop)

Noel and Liam returned to London to play two sold-out shows on September 27 and 28 - just two weeks after playing for crowds in Mexico City.

The brothers stunned fans last August when they announced their reunion tour, marking the first time they would be reuniting in 16 years after a long and public feud.

The majority of the songs on their setlist come from the band’s first two studio albums, as well as their renowned B sides from the same era.

Just two songs feature from third album Be Here Now, while 2002 single Little by Little - from fifth album, Heathen Chemistry - is the latest they go into their back catalogue.

Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage (Vicky Jessop)

After the London dates, the siblings will perform in Australia in October and November and jet to Chile and Brazil for further shows in November.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.