Claire Sweeney has told friends she feels like she has “hit the lottery” as her romance with Ricky Hatton intensifies.
Friends close to the Coronation Street star, 52, say the relationship “came out of nowhere” after she met boxer Ricky, 45.
“Claire and Ricky have become very close,” the friend told MailOnline. “She wasn’t looking for a relationship, but then Ricky came along and it felt good and natural and she’s very happy.
“She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy so she feels like she won the lottery and she’s really counting her blessings as it all came out of nowhere and that’s often the best way.” “.
Claire Sweeney has told friends she feels like she has ‘won the lottery’ as her romance with Ricky Hatton intensifies
Friends close to the Coronation Street star, 52, say the relationship “came out of nowhere” after she met boxer Ricky, 45 (pictured in Manchester last Saturday).
“She is now looking forward to introducing Ricky to her family and friends soon, and they are looking forward to meeting the boy who has made Claire smile.”
Meanwhile, a source close to Ricky joked: ‘Ricky initially thought signing up for DOI had been a big mistake because he wasn’t the best ice skater. But as soon as he was introduced to Claire, he realized that accepting the program was a big step.
“They’re having a lot of fun and enjoying themselves.”
The couple met on the ITV show and began dating after Ricky messaged her and invited her to a boxing event.
And Corrie star Claire was left stunned by the boxing legend’s knockout charm.
Friends say the retired world champion is “one of the funniest people” they have ever met, and that the pair have become “incredibly close” and are planning a summer getaway.
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 became closer and closer after that.
‘Things have gotten serious quite quickly and they are just enjoying each other’s company and seeing how things develop from here.
“They are also considering going on holiday together to Tenerife over the summer, which will take their relationship to the next level.”
The friends also believe that Claire could prove to be a good influence on Ricky, who has suffered personal problems in the past.
Our source added: ‘Ricky has had a rollercoaster lifestyle in the past. Since he retired he has been drinking heavily and partying, which he combines with his boxing training and the training of other fighters.
“But Ricky is willing to put an end to a lot of those things. He still likes to drink and laugh, but he’s back to normal and has an open mind to settle down. That’s why his friends and family are delighted that someone like Claire has arrived. “They think it might be the right time for both of them and everyone wants them to be happy.”
Details of the couple’s relationship emerged last week, with sources revealing that They had developed “electric chemistry” during the show.
A friend said: “She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy so it feels like she won the lottery” (pictured backstage at Dancing On Ice with co-star Ricky Norwood).
Ricky was the first celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice 2024 in January (pictured with partner Robyn Johnstone)
Claire became the third star to leave this year’s Dancing On Ice in February (pictured with professional partner Colin Grafton)
Last weekend they were spotted enjoying a pub crawl in Greater Manchester.
It is said to be the latest in a series of dates since March this year, which included a trip with friends to Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club.
Former light welterweight and welterweight Ricky has a son, Campbell.
He has been linked to Playboy models Carla Howe and Chelsea Claire, along with Marie Pollard, Charlie Nordell and Angela Blemmings.
Claire, who also starred in Brookside, was in a relationship with Tony Hibbard from 2001 to 2007 and her last relationship was with Daniel Reilly, the father of her eight-year-old son Jaxon. They separated in 2017.