Liam also paid tribute to Ricky following his death
OASIS star Noel Gallagher says he texted tragic boxer Ricky Hatton days before he died.
The guitarist, 58, also revealed how his pal was joking around at recent gigs in Manchester.
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Noel Gallagher, pictured with pal Ricky Hatton, said: ‘We were texting. I saw him at Heaton Park a couple of the nights’Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Noel added: ‘He was on standard Ricky form, wisecracking with everyone’Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Noel said: “We were texting. I saw him at Heaton Park a couple of the nights, and he was on standard Ricky form, wisecracking with everyone.
“He was having a drink. He was great. We don’t know what happened, but he struggled with mental health, that’s widely known.
“It just shows you that you never really know. It’s such a shame. He’s a great Mancunian.”
Welterweight Ricky, 46, a Manchester City fan like Noel and brother Liam, was found at his home on Sunday morning.
Noel added: “He was one of us. He came with all his mates for the week, and it was like he was part of the band.
“It is a real shame for his family. I was gobsmacked by it. But he had an amazing career.”
Noel recalled how Ricky asked him and Liam to carry his belts into the ring for his 2008 world title fight against Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas, which Hatton won.
He said: “It was an honour to do that. We had a funny night out around the clubs after that.
“That image of him as a wise-cracking lad, that was him. He will be sorely missed. He was such a humble, lovely guy.”
Liam, 52, also paid tribute to Ricky following his death.
Close friend Blain Younis trains with Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton at local gym
He posted a picture of the boxer at a recent Oasis gig adding: “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 lgx”
Oasis will pay tribute to Ricky at their next gig at Wembley on September 27.
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Noel said: ‘He was having a drink. He was great. We don’t know what happened, but he struggled with mental health, that’s widely known’Credit: Getty
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Noel recalled how Ricky asked him and Liam to carry his belts into the ring for his 2008 world title fightCredit: Getty
