Claire Sweeney and Ricky Hatton have sparked romance rumours after they were spotted looking cosy on a night out together over the weekend.
The Brookside and Coronation Street actress, 52, and the former professional boxer, 45, – who are both believed to be single – looked loved-up and put their arms around each other as they enjoyed a pub crawl in Manchester.
The pair both starred on Dancing On Ice earlier this year where it appears they developed a connection.
On the show Claire was partnered with professional skater Colin Grafton and was eliminated in week three, while Ricky was partnered with Robin Johnstone left in week one.
And while neither were particularly successful on the skating show it appears a romance may have blossomed from it.
Claire Sweeney and Ricky Hatton have sparked romance rumours after they were spotted looking cosy on a night out together over the weekend
The Brookside and Coronation Street actress, 52, and the former professional boxer, 45, – who are both believed to be single – looked loved-up and put their arms around each other as they enjoyed a pub crawl in Manchester
The pair both starred on Dancing On Ice earlier this year where it appears they developed a connection
On the night out Claire looked glamorous in a sparkly silver dress and heels which boosted her height.
While Ricky wore a pair of ripped black jeans and a velvet jacket.
Ricky and Claire were spotted leaving the first pub on their crawl with friends at and were later spotted arriving at another nearby boozer with their arms around one another.
Ricky later wrapped his jacket around the actress to keep her warm when they left an hour after before heading home.
Their representatives have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
Claire and Ricky were also seen together at another point in the weekend as they met with friends at the Hot Water Comedy Club.
Ricky shared images of them enjoying some drinks together as Claire looked stylish in a denim jumpsuit.
Two days before that a pub called The Crown Heaton Moor in Stockport shared an image of them on another night out with a group of friends.
Claire’s last long-term romance came with Daniel Reilly, and the pair split in 2017. They share son Jaxon, eight.
She has acted in Legally Blonde, and Educating Rita, but currently stars as Cassandra Plummer in Corrie.
On the show Claire was partnered with professional skater Colin Grafton and was eliminated in week three, while Ricky was partnered with Robin Johnstone left in week one
Claire had her arm slung over his shoulder
They looked close and comfortable together on the night out
Claire and Ricky were also seen together at another point in the weekend as they met with friends at the Hot Water Comedy Club
Two days before that a pub called The Crown Heaton Moor in Stockport shared an image of them on a night out with a group of friends (Claire second left, Ricky second right)
And while neither were particularly successful on the skating show it appears a romance may have blossomed from it
On the night out Claire looked glamorous in a sparkly silver dress and heels which boosted her height
While Ricky wore a pair of ripped black jeans and a velvet jacket as he stepped out for drinks with Claire
Ricky and Claire were spotted leaving the first pub on their crawl with friends at and were later spotted arriving at another nearby boozer with their arms around one another
She wore silver studded heels and carried a chic black quilted Chanel bag with her
She wore her long blonde tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for glowing makeup
They looked in good spirits as they stepped out together on the night out
Claire’s last long-term romance came with Daniel Reilly, and the pair split in 2017. They share son Jaxon, eight
She looked gorgeous in the figure-hugging dress
Meanwhile Ricky has had a colourful love life over the years.
In his early 20s, Ricky had a brief relationship with a woman known only as Claire, who went on to have his boxer son, Campbell Hatton – born on January 9, 2001.
Ricky – born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 1978 – had his longest relationship with Jennifer Dooley, from 2005 to 2016.
Jennifer was there for some of the highest points of his career, seeing him win or retain multiple world titles as well as being there for the presentation of his MBE in 2007’s New Year Honours.
Hatton proposed to her on Valentine’s Day of 2009.
He fatefully named the couple’s Cheshire house the ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ after Elvis Presley’s hit track.
In 2010, a video of Ricky taking cocaine was leaked, leading him to begin rehab as Jennifer stood by him.
However, another month later, Irish boxing champion Emma Bowe told the Mirror of how she had been having an 11-month affair with the boxer after getting his autograph in Dublin.
A rocky period between Jennifer and Hatton after the fighter’s retirement in 2012 included him moving in and out of their £3 million home a number of times.
A December 2013 holiday bust-up led to Ricky moving out and after moving back in again months later, in June 2014, he moved out for a second time after going AWOL during a boozy trip to Lanzarote.
But their turbulent year was put behind them in the New Year when they went on holiday to Tenerife with their two daughters, Millie, 11, and Fearne, 10.
In 2016, however, another string of drink-fuelled nights out for Ricky put a final end to his and Jennifer’s 11-year relationship, after he was pictured looking worse for wear partying with other girls in his arms.
He said of Jennifer: ‘It’s very upsetting when you’ve been in such a long-term relationship and it comes to an end.
‘I can’t deny there are times I have found things difficult.’
The year after that split, Ricky enjoyed a night out with Playboy model Carla Howe – but rumours of a romance were never confirmed.
Also in 2017, Hatton started a relationship with long-term ‘bezzie’ Marie Pollard, with the then-39-year-old posting a slew of snaps with his new partner over the course of the year.
On one of their most entertaining early dates, Ricky was hoping to take Marie to the Church Inn, but instead of an ale house the pair ended up at a house of God.
Despite meeting Ricky’s family, and spending time with him watching another thing close to his heart – Manchester City FC – the couple had separated by July 2018.
That month, Ricky shares a gallery of pictures with his new girlfriend, Charlie Nordell, on a trip to Las Vegas.
The couple stayed at the prestigious Caesar’s Palace hotel and posed for a number of smitten snaps to celebrate their romantic break.
The sportsman commented: ‘Nice to go to Vegas for a night and not get knocked the f*** out.’
He affectionately called Charlie the ‘fun police’ as she was one of those who had attempted to keep Ricky on the straight and narrow since his 2012 retirement.
However, the pair split after two years as a source told The Sun they ‘wanted different things’ with Charlie planning a move to Dubai for 2020.
Hatton managed to rekindle his romance with Marie in 2021, but only for less than 12 months with the boxer going public with new girlfriend Angela Blemmings in July 2022.
He took the beauty therapist – owner of EyeCandy beauty salon in Stalybridge – on a romantic getaway to Dublin.
They then hopped into a waiting car together
As they arrived at the next venue then walked down the street together
Ricky completed his outfit with comfortable black trainers
He helped her down the stairs in her heels
After the pub crawl they headed home
Ricky smiled as he looked back at her while they walked along the pavement
They were joined by a wider group of pals as they stepped out
Ricky held two bottles of Champagne as celebrations got underway
Claire then followed him out of the pub
They were joined by pals on the day out
She touched him on the shoulder as they left the pub
They took a ride to the next pub
She held onto his arm as they went into the next pub
She looked great in her tight black dress
Ricky looked smart in a black jacket
She headed into the car wearing her glam black outfit
She had her arm over his shoulder as they headed home
She accessorised with silver jewellery
They were visiting pubs until nearly midnight
Claire is seen with her ex Daniel Reilly in 2012
Ricky – born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 1978 – had his longest relationship with Jennifer Dooley, from 2005 to 2016
Ricky was also preparing for a delayed comeback fight against Marco Antonio Barrera that Autumn, showing off a slimmed figure despite indulging in a few pints of Guinness on the trip.
Angela shared the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year red carpet with Ricky in December, but the following year was less celebratory for the couple as they went their separate ways.
Ricky ended up with another Playboy model – Chelsea Claire – in August 2023, but this ‘ended up being more of a fling’ according to a Sun insider.
Their split was revealed in January 2024, shortly before Ricky was due to make his Dancing on Ice debut.
