TV star Claire Sweeney speaks out as ex Ricky Hatton makes major announcement
The British boxing icon, who had a romance with the actor over several months last year, is set to make a sensational comeback to the ring after a 13-year hiatus.
Hatton, aged 46 and originally from Hyde, is poised to take on Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight clash scheduled for December 2 in Dubai, marking his first professional fight since 2012.
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Although he did step into the ring for an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022, this upcoming event marks a significant return to formal competition.
Al Dah, also 46, holds the accolade of being the United Arab Emirates' inaugural professional boxer, having started his career back in March 2007 against Larry Foster, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Plans for Hatton to jet off to Dubai for the press conference announcing the fight were thwarted after he reportedly suffered an eye injury at the Oasis reunion concert last week in Cardiff; he was advised not to travel until it had fully healed.
Despite not attending in person, Hatton joined in via video link, expressing his enthusiasm: "I'm very much looking forward to it myself, to be honest with you. What you're trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic."
Sweeney shared her enthusiasm on her Instagram Story, posting a video of the announcement with the caption: "This is brilliant @rickyhitmahatton."
The duo's relationship sparked while both participating in Dancing on Ice earlier in 2024, although their paths had crossed intermittently over the past two decades.
Claire, famed for her stint on Channel 4's Brookside, has experienced marriage twice. Her first was with Tony Hibbard, lasting from 2001 until their split in 2007, followed by a union with Daniel Reilly from 2013 to 2015.
Ricky, on the other hand, has never tied the knot but was involved in a lengthy 11-year relationship with Jennifer Dooley, spanning from 2005 to 2016.
The pair, Claire and Ricky, have been spotted basking in each other's company, having jetted off on multiple breaks together. However, it was confirmed that their relationship drew to a close in December.
Addressing the split with MailOnline, Claire shared: "I'm great - we're still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we're friends again. It's all good!".
This revelation aligns with what an insider informed the publication, making it clear that they "remain good friends" and that there was no "fallout between them".
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