Ricky Hatton and Claire Sweeney surprised fans when they went public with their romance over the weekend, but their pals have revealed why they're the perfect match.
The Coronation Street actress, 52, and the boxing legend, 45, struck up a connection as they competed on this year's series of Dancing On Ice. They were spotted leaving a pub in Ricky's beloved Manchester on Saturday night, and even had staff at a pub in Stockport starstruck thanks to nipping in for a drink the night before.
Ricky is said to be "besotted" with Claire and sources told the Mirror that it was the latest in a string of dates that the pair have been on since March. One source said the lovebirds had "electric" chemistry when they met in rehearsals for Dancing on Ice. They said: "The chemistry was electric [when they met]. Ricky went out of the show early on but he contacted her afterwards and let's say he started wooing her."
The source added: "They've been out on several dates. Saturday was just one in a long line of them. They've been seeing each other quite a bit. He is completely besotted." Claire's friends have since branded Ricky as "one of the funniest people" she's ever met. A source told Daily Mail: "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 in the summer which will see their relationship go to the next level," they added. "They think it could be just the right moment for them both and everyone just wants them to be happy." Ricky and Claire are said to have been out in Liverpool over the weekend too as they visited Hot Water Comedy Club.
"It seems like an unlikely match but he's always had a way with women. They fall for his personality, and Claire has. He knows her number one priority is her son [Jaxon, nine] so they are being very careful. Let's watch this space," our source added. Claire spoke about relationships on the Mirror's Invite Only podcast back in January.
She admitted she was "fulfilled" in her life and although suggesting she was open to romance, stated that she was "not searching" for a partner. "I'm so fulfilled. I get all the love I want off my son, all the attention I want at work and I'm financially secure, so at the moment it's like... I'm not searching and I don't feel there's a void in my life," Clare said.
Discussing the prospect of dating, the actress added: "I really want to be with someone who makes me laugh. Someone who's kind. Someone I will click with [and who] gets what I do... who's not threatened by what I do. [Someone]who's got their own business, their own mind or whatever. So, someone like that. It just wouldn't be about aesthetics. Okay, there's an initial attraction but I want it to be more than just aesthetics - and that's the type of person I'm looking for."
Ricky appears to be overhauling his lifestyle following the new romance as he was spotted out on an early morning run. The sports star worked up a sweat as he was pictured jogging in Manchester while wearing an all black sporty ensemble. Ricky has a son, Campbell, after a romance in his 20s with a woman named Claire. His longest relationship was with ex-fiancée Jennifer Dooley, who he was with from 2005 to 2016.
He has been linked with Playboy models Carla Howe and Chelsea Claire, along with Marie Pollard, Charlie Nordell and Angela Blemmings. Scouse Claire was in a relationship with Tony Hibbard from 2001 to 2007 and her last relationship was with Daniel Reilly, the father of her son Jaxon, eight. They broke up in 2017.
The Mirror has contacted Ricky and Claire's representatives for comment.
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