Ricky Hayden: Mourners pack streets at funeral of celebrity bodyguard who was hacked to death outside home

Sea of orange: Mourners wore orange scarves and ties and released balloons in honour of Mr Hayden's favourite colour
Jeremy Selwyn
Jamie Bullen23 November 2016

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets in east London to pay tribute to a celebrities’ bodyguard who was hacked to death outside his home.

Huge crowds turned out on Tuesday for the funeral of Ricky Hayden, 27, who had worked as a security guard for ITV's This Morning and on the door at London nightclubs.

Among his high-profile clients included Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy.

Mr Hayden was brutally hacked to death in September as he tried to defend himself and stop a moped theft from a gang of thieves armed with machetes.

Murdered: Mr Hayden was stabbed to death trying to defend himself from a gang of machete-wielding thieves
Jeremy Selwyn

His father Paul Hayden, 54, raced to his son’s aid and attempted to shield him from a flurry of machete blows but the 27-year-old later died in hospital.

On Tuesday afternoon, a horse-drawn hearse led the procession from his home in Gibbfield Close, Chadwell Heath as mourners made their way to Forest Park Crematorium in Ilford.

Proceedings stopped briefly at a takeaway where Mr Hayden enjoyed his favourite meal of chicken and chips.

Pictures taken from the scene show a sea of orange as well-wishers wore scarves and ties while crowds gathered on the pavements released orange-coloured balloons.

Ricky Hayden died in hospital after a machete attack on his driveway
Metropolitan Police

Floral tributes taken to the crematorium included the words “Ginge” and “Bro”.

Details of Mr Hayden’s funeral were posted on the Biker Escorts UK Facebook page which asked riders not to rev their engines or perform wheelies to scare the horses.

Tributes: Huge crowds lined the streets to pay tribute
Jeremy Selwyn

Mr Hayden worked with his father at ITV’s studios minding stars including David Jason and Kerry Katona.

He also worked at England footballer Peter Crouch’s wedding to Abbey Clancy in 2011 and was on call at various east London nightclubs.

Paul Clarke, who works in ITV’s security team, told the Standard after his death: “I’ve worked with Paul for many years and with Ricky since he started in the security industry.

Flowers: Floral tributes included the word "Ginge" and "Bro"
Jeremy Selwyn

“He was a pleasure to work with and very well respected by the This Morning team. He was also a good laugh and will be sadly missed by many people at ITV.”

Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with his murder.

Tommy Lee Roome, 19, of Rams Grove, Chadwell Heath, was charged with murder and attempted murder when he appeared before the Old Bailey in September.

Ricky Hayden's father Paul, 54, pictured here with actor David Jason, suffered life changing injuries trying to save his son

He was remanded in custody and told he will face trial next March.

Another 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and was bailed to a date next month.

In addition, another 19-year-old was bailed until a date in January while a 16-year-old who was also arrested has been released.

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