Pals express fears about excessive partying by boxing legend Ricky Hatton

Friends of former boxing legend Ricky Hatton have reportedly expressed fears about his excessive partying.

The Daily Star quoted some revellers in one bar, as saying that they struggled to even recognise the former fighter, who they claim looked "completely wasted and out of it".

Close pals said they have become even more concerned about Hatton's lifestyle since fiancee Jennifer Dooley kicked him out of their two million pound mansion, named Heartbreak Hotel, in Hyde, Cheshire, last month after a four-day bender.

Hatton is said to have spent Christmas and New Year at a friend's 90,000 pound terrace house.

Hatton, who has won 45 of his 48 professional fights, has been on the downswing since 2009 when he was knocked out by Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao. He retired after failing in a comeback bid in 2012 when he was defeated by Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Hatton has in the past admitted struggling with booze, drugs and depression.