Ricky Hatton’s Playboy model pal Carla Howe has taken aim at the former boxer after he rubbished her claims of their friendship.
Carla and Ricky exchanged some flirtatious text messages after meeting in 2021 before he hinted at taking her on holiday to Tenerife.
The retired sportsman, 45, who is now dating his former Dancing on Ice co-star Claire Sweeney, 52, also offered to take Carla on a night out in Manchester and continued to message her, but she insists she was never interested in him romantically.
Glamour girl Carla kept in touch with Ricky, asking him to offer her some advice after she signed up to face former Love Islander AJ Bunker in a KSI-promoted MisFits boxing match in Sheffield in October 2022, which was eventually called off.
Ricky invited her to his gym, where they sparred in the ring and posed for pictures, some of which Ricky could be seen taking on a mobile phone.
Ricky Hatton’s Playboy model pal Carla Howe has taken aim at the former boxer after he rubbished her claims of their friendship (Ricky and Carla pictured in his gym)
The retired sportsman, 45, is now dating his former Dancing on Ice co-star Claire Sweeney, 52, after they both appeared on this year’s series of the figure skating show
However, after Carla spoke out this week on Ricky’s new romance with actress Claire, saying she was pleased for the couple but the soap star needed to be wary of his ‘wandering eye’, the ex boxer’s friendship with Carla was dismissed.
A representative for Ricky told MailOnline Carla and the boxer were never in a relationship, stating: ‘Ricky was approached by Carla Howe on a night out for a photograph.
‘Some time later she messaged Ricky could she have a training session and get some boxing advice as she was scheduled to take part in a boxing contest. She did come to the gym with a professional photographer.
‘She later messaged Ricky to see if he would get involved in the promotion, which he declined. I wish to point out that they never dated and were not in a relationship and any suggestion to the contrary is factually incorrect.’
While Carla agrees she and Ricky never dated, she insists there was more to their connection than a chance meeting and a brief session in the gym.
Carla told MailOnline: ‘I went to Ricky’s gym alone after he had me picked up by his personal driver. There was no professional photographer, it was Ricky taking all my pictures as well as another trainer at his gym.
‘He sent some flirty messages and hinted at going on holiday to Tenerife. He also invited me for a night out in Manchester. Both times I changed the subject.
‘He kept trying to meet up but I wasn’t interested romantically, just friends. I suggested meeting at the gym as I wanted to learn boxing. This was before I did any professional boxing myself.
Carla and Ricky exchanged some flirtatious text messages after meeting in 2021 before he invited her to train at his gym
The pair sparred in the ring and posed for pictures, some of which Ricky could be seen taking on a mobile phone (pictured) despite claims she brought a professional photographer with her
‘He sent me loads of advice but I think he just didn’t like that I wasn’t interested romantically. He’s a nice guy but just not my type.
‘I asked him if he wanted to be involved in a boxing match I was involved in. He’s now said he declined but the fight actually fell through.
‘He did give me advice and messaged me about training. I actually ended up getting advice from Anthony Joshua, Chris Eubank Jr and David Haye.’
Ricky’s representatives declined to comment.
Brookside and Coronation Street actress Claire and former pro boxer Ricky looked loved-up and put their arms around each other as they enjoyed a pub crawl in Manchester on Saturday last week.
They also enjoyed a pub date on Friday evening, with the new couple surprising staff at a venue in Stockport.
On ITV show Dancing On Ice this year, Claire was partnered with professional skater Colin Grafton and was eliminated in week three, while Ricky was partnered with Robin Johnstone and left in week one.
But the pair appear to have struck up a connection as they appeared very cosy on their dates, prompting Carla to speak out about Ricky’s ‘wandering eye’.
Carla kept in touch with Ricky, asking him to offer her some advice after she signed up to face ex Love Islander AJ Bunker in a KSI-promoted MisFits boxing match in Sheffield in 2022 (Carla pictured)
Carla told MailOnline: ‘I asked him if he wanted to be involved in a boxing match I was involved in. He’s now said he declined but the fight actually fell through. He did give me advice’ (boxing rival AJ Bunker pictured)
Carla said she also sought advice for her celebrity boxing match from professional boxer Anthony Joshua (pictured)
Carla was also in touch with former professional boxer Chris Eubank’s son Chris Eubank Jr (pictured)
After seeing Ricky and Claire on their dates last weekend, Carla told The Sun: ‘When Ricky was pursuing me he was living a really unhealthy lifestyle – drinking a lot and partying. He was really immature.
‘He seems to be back on track now and ready to settle down – if he can control his wandering eye.
‘I’m really shocked that he’s gone for Claire. She’s very different to who I would have expected him to end up with.
‘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.
‘I wish him the best though. He’s a lovely guy and deserves to be happy.’
Ricky is said to be ‘completely besotted’ with Claire after the pair met during their time on the ITV television figure skating competition.
While neither were particularly successful on the skating show it appears a romance may have blossomed from it.
A source told The Sun: ‘They became friends on Dancing On Ice and really hit it off.
Carla had her say on his new love interest Claire Sweeney this week (Carla pictured)
Claire and Ricky were seen together last weekend as they met with friends at the Hot Water Comedy Club
Two days before that a pub called The Crown Heaton Moor in Stockport shared an image of them on a night out with a group of friends (Claire second left, Ricky second right)
‘It’s since become romantic and they’ve enjoyed a few dates. It’s early days but they’ve got a spark and have been having a great time.’
According to another source, the pair have been on a number of dates and Ricky is ‘completely besotted’.
They 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.’
Ricky was the first celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice 2024 in January (pictured with his partner Robyn Johnstone)
Claire Sweeney became the third star to leave this year’s Dancing On Ice in February (pictured with pro partner Colin Grafton)