Hatton 'has taken cocaine for months'

Ricky Hatton has been embarking upon cocaine and alcohol fuelled binges for months, those closest to him have claimed.

The retired boxer was allegedly filmed snorting several lines of the Class A drug during a recent night out, but a close source revealed to The Sun that his cocaine usage has been apparent for some time.

"His coke problem has been getting ridiculous," the source said. "This wasn't just one party night out on the town. The fact he's being doing cocaine was an open secret among those close to him."

The insider continued: "In a way we're almost relieved he's been caught out because something had to be done. He couldn't go on like that."

In the wake of the footage, Hatton has acknowledged that he requires professional help to fight the problem and has vowed to get clean for the sake of his supporters.

He said: "I've been in a bad place for some time. It's all down to me. I feel I have let everyone down especially all my fans in the country who have always supported me. I know I've got to make it better. I've now got the biggest fight of my life."

Hatton's spokesman Max Clifford added: "His family are obviously very concerned for him and have become increasingly so. Ricky has given them an assurance he will go into rehab in a matter of days.

"I think it is fair to say, friends and family have been trying to warn him in recent times, for the last few months. And now they are all hoping this situation will bring him to his senses.

"Since retirement he has found it very difficult. There has been something missing in his life - boxing. He is very upset and very subdued, very flat."