Exclusive:
EXCLUSIVE: Dancing On Ice professional partner Robin Johnstone has spoken to The Mirror following the boxing legend’s sad death at the age of 46
Ricky Hatton dies aged 46
Dancing On Ice star Robin Johnstone has broken her silence following the shock news that Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.
The British boxing legend was been found dead at his home in Greater Manchester at the age of 46. The iconic fighter competed between 1997 and 2012 before working as a promoter and trainer. He won a total of six world titles across three weight divisions and will be remembered as one of the best UK fighters of his generation.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a body was found and said that the death is not being treated as suspicious. A police cordon remains in place at Hatton’s home in Gee Cross, Hyde. He would have turned 47 next month and leaves behind three children including his son Campbell, who also boxed professionally before retiring earlier this year.
A police spokesperson confirmed: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
The devastating news comes months after Hatton announced his planned return to the boxing ring, with a fight pencilled in for December. He was due to face United Arab Emirates fighter Eisa Al Dah over eight three-minute rounds.
While taking a break from boxing, Ricky appeared on Dancing On Ice in 2024 where he was partnered up with professional skater Robin. Speaking to The Mirror after learning of Ricky’s untimely death, Robin said that she was been left ‘devastated’ by the revelation.
“I’m devastated. It’s so sad. Ricky was a friend,” she told us. Robin went on to reveal that Ricky had ‘been doing so well’ and the news has come as a huge shock to his Dancing On Ice family.
“He’d been doing so well. He was talking about getting ready for his big fight and was all excited… it’s very shocking. He was really sweet. Such a good guy. My last memory of him is him looking out at me on the ice during Torvill and Deane’s show, with his girls and his eyes were just lit up, he was so excited to watch us, as were his girls. His kids were everything to him.”
Admitting that she had built a close bond with Ricky once the show finished, Robin told us that she would be speak to Ricky every couple of weeks to check in.
“We’d speak every couple of weeks.. I think we Whatsapped a week or two ago. I mean we stayed in touch after DOI – he’d check in with my husband Andy [Buchanan] and I all the time.
“Out of all my partners on the show, we kept in touch the most. He was in training mode and seemed in such good form, he was asking how we were… we were on the Torvill and Dean tour, and his girls came with him to see the show. We’ve met his girls quite a few times.”
Speaking about the time she spent with Ricky on the ITV show, Robin admitted that she didn’t know much about the boxer beforehand – but they cemented an incredibly close bond and friendship straight away.
“I didn’t know anything about him, but I was told he was a big deal. I remember meeting him, he took me to his boxing gym and put some globes on me but he was always so friendly, he loved a joke (some were good, some were dad jokes!) but I never saw him in a bad mood, or treating anyone badly.
“He treated me like gold. When we were out and the public stopped him for selfies, he’d always take the picture and spend time with every single person.”
Looking back on the quality time they spent together, Robin shared her favourite memory with Ricky as she recalled: “Watching him skate! We had some great laughs about that! But honestly? Just the friendship we formed with him.
“Talking about everything and anything. Ricky was very open talking about his past struggles with us, super open. He wanted to be open about mental health and his own struggles, so he could help others. But he seemed really happy. That’s why I can’t believe this.”
Shedding light on Ricky’s dating history with fellow Dancing On Ice contestant Claire Sweeney, Robin suggested that Claire will be utterly heartbroken by the news of Ricky’s sad death.
“We were friends with Claire, too. I haven’t talked to Claire in a while, but they remained good friends as far as I know, so I’m sure she’s heartbroken, everyone on the show will be so upset and sad. You become so close on a show like Dancing On Ice. He just loved life. He seemed like such a happy-go-lucky guy, so caring. We’ll miss him terribly.”
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