A Playboy model once linked to Ricky Hatton has issued a stern warning to his new girlfriend Claire Sweeney.
Welterweight boxer Ricky, 45, and Coronation Street actress Claire, 52, have been quietly dating for months after hitting it off while competing on ITV's Dancing On Ice earlier this year. In recent weeks the new couple are said to be 'besotted' with each other as they enjoy their new romance.
Ricky and Claire went public with their surprise relationship over the weekend as they appeared loved-up on a date night out. The pair were spotted leaving a pub in Ricky's beloved Manchester on Saturday night, with Claire donning a classic LBD as she headed out with her new boxer beau.
But the pair also left staff in at a pub in Stockport starstruck thanks to nipping in for a drink the night before. The lovebirds called in at The Crown pub in Heaton Moor on Friday night, mingling with locals during a live music event. But now, former Playboy model Carla Howe has opened up about the time Ricky allegedly set his sights on her.
Berkshire-born Carla, 33, claims that The Hitman had previously invited on her on a string of dates as well as a luxury holiday to Tenerife but branded the boxer 'immature.'
Carla moaned: "When Ricky was pursuing me he was living a really unhealthy lifestyle - drinking a lot and partying, he was really immature," she told The Sun.
The model went on to tell the publication that she was "shocked" by Ricky and Claire's romance, claiming the soap star is "very different" to who she imagined Ricky would fall for. She added: "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."
But a spokesperson for Ricky said they were "shocked" by Carla's claims and insisted that they were never in a relationship with one another. Carla claims she and Ricky were in touch until the end of last year but despite his romance with Claire, he often likes her racy snaps on Instagram and views her Stories on the photo-sharing site.
Ricky and Claire are said to have had "electric chemistry" when they met during rehearsals for the ITV reality show. And sources last night said the get-together was one in a long line of dates they have been on since March. Claire was happily single, but Ricky – nicknamed The Hitman in his boxing days – turned her head.
A source told the Mirror: "The chemistry was electric. Ricky went out of the show early on but he contacted her afterwards and let's say he started wooing her. 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.
"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 so they are being very careful. Let's watch this space."
The Mirror has approached Hatton's representatives for comment.
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