Claire Sweeney shares details of romance with Dancing On Ice co-star Ricky Hatton
The Coronation Street actor said things were going 'great'
Watch: Claire Sweeney opens up about Ricky Hatton romance
What did you miss?
Claire Sweeney has told how she and new love Ricky Hatton bonded over Only Fools And Horses.
The Coronation Street actor and the boxing champ have been stepping out together since falling for each other when they were both contestants on Dancing On Ice earlier this year. Sweeney hasn’t said much about her new romance with Hatton, playing her cards close to her chest.
But she did open up when she appeared on ITV’s Lorraine on Thursday (July 4), sharing how they enjoy sitting down to watch David Jason's classic sitcom.
What, how and why?
Sweeney told host Lorraine Kelly that she had known Hatton for a long time before romance blossomed, and that things were going "great".
“I’ve known Ricky for like 25 years and always passed each other at events," she explained. "I first met him in La Manga in the early 2000s, then we did Dance for Comic Relief together in 2013. And then we met on Dancing On Ice and it’s great."
"He makes me laugh and we both like Only Fools And Horses, so what’s not to like!” she giggled.
When did Claire Sweeney and Ricky Hatton get together?
Sweeney and Hatton got close when they were contestants on the ITV ice-skating competition at the start of the year. Sweeney was paired with pro Colin Grafton and Hatton was skating with Robin Johnstone, but there were rumours that they were spending a lot of time together when they were off the ice.
The show ended in March, with Corrie's Ryan Thomas crowned the winner.
The following month Sweeney and Hatton appeared to make their relationship official when they attended a red carpet event together in Manchester.
Hatton also seemed to confirm they were an item when he wished the actor a happy 53rd birthday that month. "Have the best day gorgeous," he wrote on Instagram, adding a red heart and saying: "Lots of love. Ricky. Xxx.”
Sweeney, who plays Cassie Plummer on the cobbles, last had a long-term romance with Daniel Reilly, the father of her son Jaxon. Hatton is also a dad, to son Campbell and daughters Fearne and Millie.
What else did Claire Sweeney say on Lorraine?
The actor also chatted to Kelly about her one year anniversary on Corrie, admitting it had gone "so fast" but that from day one she had "not stopped laughing". "It’s been such good fun," Sweeney said.
The star also shared how she hopes her character ends up getting together with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson). "I love working with him," she explained.
"You know when you meet someone your age who has the same references in life and before the cameras start rolling we laugh so much… I love the show and at the moment I’m signed until next year and I’m enjoying it and I’m happy.”
