Claire Sweeney has opened up about her time with boxing legend Ricky Hatton, jokingly recalling his 'terrible' ice skating as she shared what her former partner wanted from his appearance on Dancing on Ice.
Remembering Ricky Hatton
The Coronation Street star was among those devastated by the Manchester-born boxer's passing at age 46 on September 14. At the time, he had been planning a return to the ring after a 13-year hiatus with a fight scheduled for December. Claire enjoyed an eight-month romance with Ricky in 2024 after they worked together on the now-cancelled ITV skating competition show.
He once joked to the Mirror after his short-lived stint on Dancing on Ice: 'I got knocked out in the first round, but I was able to meet Claire. I was always a Billy no mates at these things before Claire.'
Their Relationship and Split
In December 2024, reports emerged that Ricky and Claire had split. The breakup came before Christmas, and asked about the split during a red carpet appearance, Claire told MailOnline: 'I'm great - we're still friends, we were friends, we dated, and now we're friends again. It's all good!'
The former couple continued to publicly show support for one another. Following the news of his tragic passing, she said: 'I've needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky. My thoughts are with his family, especially his children Campbell, Millie Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter. To them, Speaky and to all his friends who loved him so deeply and for so many years I send you my deepest sympathy. Ricky, you were the people's champ. We adored and cherished you. Love you always.'
This Morning Interview
Now, Claire has been asked about Ricky as she appeared on This Morning to chat about her upcoming Corrie exit and return to the stage in Annie the Musical. Host Ben Shephard referenced a recent 'Night4Ricky' event at Manchester's AO Arena, saying: 'Just wanted to ask you, Claire, because I think it was last week that there was a lovely tribute to the amazing Ricky Hatton, who was someone that we both knew. You knew him very well.'
Claire asked: 'Did you know Ricky?' with Ben confirming: 'He trained me for my boxing fight on Sport Relief all those years ago. He was my trainer, so I got to go to his gym. He was still fighting as well, and he put me through my paces, absolutely broke me.'
'I bet he made you laugh as well, didn't he?' Claire replied, as Ben agreed: 'Endlessly. When you're broken on the floor in piles of sweat, he'd just make you laugh. It was an amazing tribute to him. He was someone that will be remembered as an icon for so many years, won't he?'
Claire responded: 'Yeah, absolutely. I feel very blessed that he was in my life. He was wonderful, a great man. His send-off, the funeral, was amazing, and he was a legend. A good, good man.'
Dancing on Ice Memories
Ben agreed: 'A really good man. Sorely missed, but so fondly remembered,' before reminiscing about Ricky's notable appearance on Dancing on Ice. 'He was terrible!' Claire laughed. Ben shared: 'He was absolutely shocking, but he was a sporting icon that was happy to be seen as the Joker. That's what was always so special about him.'
Claire then revealed: 'And all he wanted to do was to skate to that song, If I Believe, you know, the Elvis song? He just wanted to skate to that song, and it was great,' before turning to Ben: 'I'm so glad you trained with him.'
