Liam Gallagher's poignant final gesture to Ricky Hatton after boxing legend's funeral

Liam Gallagher kissed the coffin of Ricky Hatton as he said a final goodbye to the boxing legend. The Oasis frontman was just one of a number of stars who turned out at Manchester Cathedral topay their respects to a Manchester icon.

Ex-Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen were also in attendance alongside boxers Tyson and Tommy Fury, Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder and Mark “Bez” Berry, Paddy McGuinness and former cricketer Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff. Rooney was seen fighting back tears ahead of the service.

And Gallagher shared his own emotional moment as he interacted with Hatton's coffin. The sky blue casket, the boxing world champion was a Manchester City fan, was touched by fellow supporter Gallagher, who then pressed his fingers from his lips onto the coffin to deliver a kiss in honour of the Hitman.

The private memorial service at Manchester Cathedral started at midday after Hatton’s funeral cortege arrived. The procession was led by the famous Reliant van from Only Fools And Horses as the fighter's passions were honoured.

Hatton, who won the IBF world welterweight title in his home city in June 2005 with a victory over Kostya Tszyu, was a big fan of the Del Boy and Rodney sitcom. He once purchased one of the original three-wheelers and used to drive it around his home city.

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A number of famous figures from the world of boxing also were present to pay tribute. Frazer Clarke and Natasha Jonas, former boxers Amir Khan, Scott Welch, Frank Bruno, Barry McGuigan and Anthony Crolla arrived, as did former Manchester City footballer Mike Summerbee, pundit and former footballer Chris Kamara and Hatton’s former trainer Billy Graham.

Tributes have poured in since the boxing legend’s death last month, at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester. More followed on Friday.

Outside the cathedral, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told Sky Sports News: “Ricky was a true working class hero and you can tell that by the numbers that are here outside.

“When I was elected mayor, I would turn up and he’d be there at a corner of an event, sometimes a very low-key event. He turned up for people – you can’t say that about everybody in life but Ricky turned up for people, and that really matters.

“He’s one of Britain’s best ever fighters. He should be remembered first and foremost for getting to the top of his game and for giving that pride to this place in the country.”

Before the service, Bez told reporters: “He was one of the great ambassadors of the city. One of the great champions. I got to know him very well down the years.”

Thousands of people lined the streets of Manchester to pay their respects and hundreds of people broke into applause as the funeral cortege arrived. As mourners arrived, a brass band played Winter Wonderland, synonymous with his fans’ chant “There’s Only One Ricky Hatton”.

The service was played to the crowds outside the cathedral. Hatton’s son Campbell, paid an emotional tribute, saying: “I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you, dad, and that we won’t be making any new memories – but the ones we did I will cherish forever.”

Hatton’s mother Carol said in a statement read on her behalf: “‘The Hitman’ was adored by his army of fans – the People’s Champion, and he would say that’s how he would want to be remembered. Long before this accolade he was our little champion from the day he was born.”

Following a private memorial service, the procession will make its way from the cathedral to the Etihad Stadium, home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City.