They surprised and delighted us with their red-carpet debut last month – confirming rumours of a romance that had been bubbling ever since they first met on Dancing On Ice at the beginning of the year. And now, Claire Sweeney, 53, and Ricky Hatton, 43, have reached another important milestone in their relationship, after taking their first ever holiday together.
Posting snaps from their trip to Tenerife, the pair looked delighted to be in each other’s company, with fans taking to Claire’s comments section to tell her that she was “glowing”.
And according to insiders, her friends and family can see it too. We’re told the Coronation Street star is more loved-up than ever, and – having had her fair share of bad luck in the past – she finally feels like she’s found Mr Right.
“Claire and Ricky are really happy,” says an insider close the 53-year-old actress, who shares nine-year-old son, Jaxon, with her ex-fiancé, Daniel Reilly.
“They may seem like an unusual combo, but it works – they’ve got the same sense of humour. She needed someone that was good company, and he is – he listens to her, he’s very kind, he laughs and is a very sweet guy. She also loves boxing, which helps!”
Finding love again has certainly been a long time coming for both Claire and Ricky. While the legendary boxer split from his ex-fiancée, Jennifer Dooley, in 2016, and has since had “flings” that didn’t go the distance, Claire’s last serious relationship ended in 2017. But this time, we’re told, they’re both in it for the long haul – and the soap star’s friends reckon there could be wedding bells on the horizon.
“Claire has fallen for him big time,” says our source.
“Her friends really wouldn’t be surprised if they end up walking down the aisle. She’s had such a tough time in the past and has wanted to find real love for so long. She’s smitten with him!”