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Andrew Flintoff has expressed deep guilt following the death of his friend Ricky Hatton. Tea
The former world welterweight champion, 46, was found hanged at his Hyde home on September 14, Stockport Coroner’s Court heard on Thursday.
Cricket star Flintoff reveals their relationship as the two rose to prominence together.
He recalled their last meeting on the train to Manchester, on Piers Morgan Uncensored, which aired on YouTube.
“I think it’s like all these things, when something like this happens and you speak and everyone says, ‘He seemed fine’, ‘He seemed absolutely fine’, ‘He was looking forward to fighting in Dubai in the next few weeks.’
“There’s almost a guilt there… how did people not know? And one thing I’ve found in recent years, over the last few years, is that it’s happened to more and more people.
“with Graham Thorpe Who was (an) absolute great man in cricket, a man whom he played with and who coached him, everyone loved him dearly. You just feel like, ‘I wish we had known’. But this is terrible.”
Flintoff said that he had attended some of Hatton’s fights in the past and recalled other fun times they had together.
“We sang karaoke together and until we sat down, I never knew he was struggling with all this stuff,” Flintoff said.
“When we started talking, obviously, he was very honest about what he was going through and how he was feeling. And then, when he was talking, I related to it. I’ve felt the same way, I’ve been the same way.
“Then it turned into a conversation between two people being really honest.
“(Ricky) was this working-class hero from Manchester who goes into the ring, he fights with all his heart. He’s funny, you see him doing stand-up routines in press conferences, and he feels it.
“And then obviously what happened over the last two weeks is devastating. For his friends, his family, but for everyone who has been in contact with Ricky.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans in confidence on 116 123 (UK & ROI), email. jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaria website to get details of your nearest branch. If you live in the United States, and you or someone you know needs mental health support right now, call or text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org To access online chat from 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go here www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you