Loved-up Claire Sweeney and Ricky Hatton cosy up for first red carpet as the couple attend arena launch in Manchester
CLAIRE Sweeney and Ricky Hatton looked loved-up as they posed for pictures at The Co Op Live arena launch in Manchester this evening.
The pair, who met this year while taking part on Dancing On Ice, were all smiles as they posed for snaps on the red carpet.
Actress Claire, 52, wowed in a tight white jumpsuit.
She styled her blonde locks into loose waves and accessorised with a gold handbag.
Meanwhile ex-world champ Ricky, 45, went casual in a black t-shirt, denim jeans and a blazer.
The love birds grew close after taking part in the sixteenth series of ITV skating competition this year.
This is the first time the pair have posed together since The Sun exclusively revealed that Claire and Ricky were secretly dating earlier this month.
Last week Ricky gushed about “gorgeous” new girlfriend in a touching birthday tribute.
The boxer uploaded one snap of them cuddling on set of the ITV series, and another on a date night.
Ricky captioned his Instagram post: “Happy Birthday Claire. Have the best day gorgeous.
“Lots of love. Ricky. xxx”
Days before Claire admitted that she ‘feels like she’s won the lottery’ as she opened up about their romance – and are ready to take their relationship to the next step after a series of romantic dates.
A friend told MailOnline: “Claire and Ricky have become really close. She wasn’t looking for a relationship but then Ricky came along and it just felt right and natural and she’s really happy.
“She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy so it feels a bit like winning the lottery and she’s really counting her blessings as it all came from nowhere and often that’s the best way.
“She’s now really looking forward to introducing Ricky to her family and friends soon and they are really looking forward to the guy who has put a smile on Claire’s face.”
Weeks before it was revealed how Claire fell for Ricky.
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.”
The pair have been also been pictured enjoying each other’s company while at a pub.
Ricky left the Dancing On Ice competition in week two.
Meanwhile Claire was the third celebrity to be eliminated from the programme.