Claire Sweeney has told friends she feels like ‘she has won the lottery’ as her romance with Ricky Hatton heats up.
Pals close to the Coronation Street star, 52, say the relationship ‘came from nowhere’ after she met boxer Ricky, 45.
‘Claire and Ricky have become really close,’ the friend told MailOnline. ‘She wasn’t looking for a relationship but then Ricky came along and it just felt right and natural and she’s really happy.
‘She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy so it feels a bit like winning the lottery and she’s really counting her blessings as it all came from nowhere and often that’s the best way.
Claire Sweeney has told friends she feels like ‘she has won the lottery’ as her romance with Ricky Hatton heats up
Pals close to the Coronation Street star, 52, say the relationship ‘came from nowhere’ after she met boxer Ricky, 45 (pictured in Manchester last Saturday)
‘She’s now really looking forward to introducing Ricky to her family and friends soon and they are really looking forward to the guy who has put a smile on Claire’s face.’
Meanwhile a source close to Ricky joked: ‘At first Ricky thought signing up for DOI had been a big mistake because he wasn’t the greatest ice skater! But as soon as he was introduced to Claire he realised agreeing to the show was a great move.
‘They’re having a lot of fun and enjoying themselves.’
The pair met on the ITV show and started dating after Ricky messaged her and invited her to a boxing event.
And Corrie star Claire was left floored by the boxing legend’s knockout charm.
Friends say the retired World Champion is ‘one of the funniest people’ she’s ever met – and that the pair have grown ‘incredibly close’ and are plotting 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 grew closer and closer after that.
‘Things have become serious quite quickly and they are just really enjoying each other’s company and seeing how things develop from here.
‘They are also discussing possibly going on holiday together to Tenerife the Summer which will see their relationship go to the next level.’
Pals also think Claire could prove to be a good influence on Ricky who has suffered from personal issues in the past.
Our source added: ‘Ricky’s had a bit of a rollercoaster lifestyle in the past. Since retiring there has often been a lot of drinking and partying which he combines with his boxing training and his coaching of other fighters.
‘But Ricky is keen to draw a line under a lot of that. He still likes a drink and a laugh, but he’s back on track and open-minded to settling down. That’s why his friends and family are delighted someone like Claire has come along. They think it could be just the right moment for them both and everyone just wants them to be happy.’
Details of the pair’s relationship emerged last week, with sources revealing that they had developed ‘electric chemistry’ during the show.
A friend has said: ‘She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy so it feels a bit like winning 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 his partner Robyn Johnstone)
Claire became the third star to leave this year’s Dancing On Ice in February (pictured with pro 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 with 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 son Jaxon, eight. They broke up in 2017.
