Kerry Katona has admitted that she had “massive anxiety” over late boxer Ricky Hatton’s funeral this month, leading to unbearable stress that meant she couldn’t get through the service.

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Kerry Katona has admitted that she had “massive anxiety” over late boxer Ricky Hatton’s funeral this month(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Kerry Katona has admitted that she couldn’t make it through boxer Ricky Hatton’s funeral after finding herself struggling with “massive anxiety” in the lead up to the service.

Ricky – who was close friends with Kerry – sadly passed away on 14 September 2024, with the likes of Tyson Fury, Wayne Rooney, Liam Gallagher, Tony Bellew and more gathering to say their goodbyes earlier this month.

But for Kerry, 45, the service brought back some tough mental battles for her. She wrote in her New! Magazine column: ” Last week, I was planning on going to Ricky Hatton ’s funeral to say goodbye to him, but if I’m being honest, funerals give me massive anxiety. I found myself getting really stressed before it and did try to go, but when I arrived there were so many people that I ended up not going inside.”

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Kerry was close friends with late boxer Ricky, and recently worked with him on a campaign

Continuing that she did things on her own terms, and where she felt more comfortable, the former Atomic Kitten star shared: “Instead, I decided to say goodbye in my own way. Ricky was an amazing man and he’ll be so missed by so many people, including me and my family.”

Kerry – who has previously shared that she finds funerals “triggering” – was close friends with Ricky and had been working with him in the months before his death for brand Supreme CBD, which they both filmed advertisments for.

At the time of his passing, she said: “I was devastated when I heard about Ricky Hatton’s death, it really shook me up. He was a great friend.

Admitting that she had “regrets” over their final interactions, Kerry continued: “When I was in Ibiza recently he asked me to meet up twice, and I didn’t because I didn’t want to go out and just wanted to chill, but now that has been replaying in my head.

“My kids have met him too – he jokingly sparred with DJ earlier this year and even said he would help Max with boxing lessons. The whole family have been really upset. I’m sending love to his family.”

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Ricky was laid to rest earlier this month at Manchester Cathedral(Image: Getty Images)

Ricky was laid to rest on Friday, October 12, at Manchester Cathedral in his home city; his coffin was driven past spectators outside the Etihad Stadium as part of his funeral cortege – paying homage to his football team.

At the beginning of the year, Kerry was also due to attend a funeral for The Vivienne – who sadly passed in January. However, she revealed in her column at the time that she didn’t attend, but not sharing the reason why.

She said in January, “I was meant to go to The Vivienne’s funeral last week, but unfortunately I had to pull out at the last minute which was a real shame.

“I did pay tribute in my own way but was sad to have to pull out. Their death is still really devastating to me. We’ve lost too many good people this year already, it’s awful.”