CLAIRE Sweeney “feels like she won the lottery” with Ricky Hatton, according to pals, who have teased the “next step” in their relationship.
Coronation Street star Claire, 52, was spotted cosying up to boxing champion Ricky, 45, after a night out earlier this month.
And now it appears they’re taking the ultimate next step, with the soap legend planning to introduce her new man to her loved ones.
A friend told MailOnline, “Claire and Ricky have become really close. 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.
“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.“
Claire’s representative has been contacted for comment.
Our exclusive pictures showed the pair with their arms wrapped around each other, looking very loved-up.
They were near boxing legend Ricky’s home town of Greater Manchester one recent Saturday night.
Ricky was seen carrying two bottles of champagne as they headed from one pub onto the next.
Claire looked glamorous in a black-patterned dress and high heels while Ricky dressed up ripped jeans and trainers with a black velvet suit jacket.
Later in the night, the jacket ended up draped over Claire’s shoulders.
He was then seen with his hand on ex-Brookside star Claire’s back, having given her his jacket to keep warm.
The couple seemed happy and carefree as they enjoyed each other’s company alongside mutual pals – before being seen wandering in the direction of Ricky’s home around midnight.
The pictures sparked romance rumours between the pair – who both competed in Dancing on Ice 2024, which was won by Ryan Thomas.
Sporstman Ricky revealed he was single again after splitting from his Playboy model girlfriend Chelsea Claire, 31.
They split in January – weeks after he began training for the ITV skating show.
It’s believed their age gap proved too much for the couple who broke up after just four months of dating.
Unlucky-in-love Ricky – known as The Hitman – was devastated when his long-time fiancée Jennifer Dooley, 44, left him in 2016 after he went on a string of booze benders.
Another of Ricky’s alleged exes was Playboy bunny Carla Howe, who recently warned Claire about his “wandering eye”.
Carla, 33, swapped flirtatious texts with the smitten star after meeting in 2021.
Ricky, also known as The Hitman, invited the blonde bombshell on a string of dates – and even an all expenses paid holiday to Tenerife.
Speaking to The Sun after we revealed Claire and Ricky are dating. Carla said: “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.”
A rep for Ricky said he was “shocked” by Carla’s comments and insists they weren’t in a relationship.
