How Claire Sweeney fell for Ricky Hatton on secret Dancing On Ice dates revealed – as they plan first holiday together
AN INSIGHT into Claire Sweeney and Ricky Hatton’s secret dates while filming Dancing On Ice have been revealed by pals.
Coronation Street star Claire, 52, was spotted cosying up to boxing champion Ricky, 45, after a night out at the weekend.
And now it’s been alleged they’re taking the ultimate next step, with their first ever holiday together in the woodwork.
According to friends who spoke to MailOnline, Claire thinks Ricky is “one of the funniest people” she’s ever met – and they’ve already chatted about jetting off to Tenerife.
They reportedly think she could be a good influence on Ricky too, who’s had some personal ups and downs and is ready to leave his partying days behind him.
A source said: “Anyone who knows Ricky knows how funny and entertaining he can be. But Claire had no idea until she met him on Dancing on Ice, and that’s what really attracted her to him initially…
“He constantly had her in hysterics and they grew closer and closer after that…
“Things have become serious quite quickly and they are just really enjoying each other’s company and seeing how things develop from here…
“They are also discussing possibly going on holiday together to Tenerife the Summer which will see their relationship go to the next level.”
Claire’s representative has been contacted for comment.
Our exclusive pictures showed the pair with their arms wrapped around each other, looking very loved-up.
They were near boxing legend Ricky’s home town of Greater Manchester on Saturday night.
Ricky was seen carrying two bottles of champagne as they headed from one pub onto the next.
Claire looked glamorous in a black-patterned dress and high heels while Ricky dressed up ripped jeans and trainers with a black velvet suit jacket.
Later in the night, the jacket ended up draped over Claire’s shoulders.
He was then seen with his hand on ex-Brookside star Claire’s back, having given her his jacket to keep warm.
The couple seemed happy and carefree as they enjoyed each other’s company alongside mutual pals – before being seen wandering in the direction of Ricky’s home around midnight.
The pictures have sparked romance rumours between the pair – who both competed in Dancing on Ice 2024, which was won by Ryan Thomas.
Boxer Ricky, 45, revealed he was single again after splitting from his Playboy model girlfriend Chelsea Claire, 31.
They split in January – weeks after he began training for the ITV skating show.
It’s believed their age gap proved too much for the couple who broke up after just four months of dating.
Unlucky-in-love Ricky – known as The Hitman – was devastated when his long-time fiancée Jennifer Dooley, 44, left him in 2016 after he went on a string of booze benders.
Another of Ricky’s alleged exes was Playboy bunny Carla Howe, who recently warned Claire about his “wandering eye”.
Carla, 33, swapped flirtatious texts with the smitten 45-year-old after meeting in 2021.
Ricky, also known as The Hitman, invited the blonde bombshell on a string of dates – and even an all expenses paid holiday to Tenerife.
Speaking to The Sun after we revealed Claire and Ricky are dating. Carla said: “When Ricky was pursuing me he was living a really unhealthy lifestyle – drinking a lot and partying. He was really immature.
“He seems to be back on track now and ready to settle down – if he can control his wandering eye.
“I’m really shocked that he’s gone for Claire. She’s very different to who I would have expected him to end up with.
“I guess she might be a better fit for him. It seems like she’ll be wearing the trousers and the one in control, whereas with me he was looking for someone more submissive.
“I wish him the best though. He’s a lovely guy and deserves to be happy.”
A rep for Ricky said he was “shocked” by Carla’s comments and insists they weren’t in a relationship.