Robbie’s Angel
Singer shows off Maddie T-shirt at world title bout
POP star Robbie Williams gave heavy weight support to the search for Madeleine McCann yesterday. At the end of boxer Ricky Hatton’s world title bout in Las Vegas, the singer put on a white T-shirt appealing for information about the abducted child. As fans and photographers clamoured for his attention, Robbie stood up to show the shirt emblazoned with a striking image of the four-year-old. Fifty days after she went missing from a Portuguese holiday resort, Robbie’s shirt showed Madeleine dressed in an Everton football shirt. On the back, it had an image of her distinctive right eye and a plea for information.
There were 10,000 English fans cheering on Hatton in the Thomas and Mack Centre and millions more watching on TV around the world. Those around Robbie clapped and slapped him on the back in support. Gene Bennett, who flew from Manchester for the fight, was just yards away from the star. She said: “It was a touching gesture. “He must have known lots of TV cameras and photographers would be looking at him, so he used his fame for a good cause.
“I think everyone realised what a good thing it was that he was doing. “This certainly proved that Robbie has a heart of gold.” Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, was snatched from her bed onMay 3 while her parents dined at a nearby restaurant in Praia da Luz. Since then, her parents, Kate and Gerry, have launched a high-profile campaign to find her, travelling extensively around Europe and toMorocco.
Robbie was among a number of celebrities who watched as Hatton retained the IBO junior welterweight title with a stunning fourth round knockout of Jose Luis Castillo. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney carried his friend’s world championship belt into the ring ahead of the fight and joined the celebrations at the end. Fellow England internationals Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Joe Cole and Kieron Dyer were also in the crowd. Hatton is now undefeated in 43 professional fights.
K. Bale / dailyrecord.co.uk