Coronation Street’s Claire Sweeney has reportedly split from her boyfriend and boxer Ricky Hatton after eight months.
The Cassie Plummer actress, 53, and the ex pro boxer, 45, previously enjoyed a romantic date in April this year with pictures showing the pair looking loved-up with their arms around each other.
‘I’ve known him for 25 years or so, we kind of always passed each other during events’ Claire revealed during an appearance on Lorraine.
The star, who was part of this year’s Dancing on Ice alongside Ricky, added: ‘Do you know what? He makes me laugh, that’s it.
‘I first met him in La Manga in the early 2000’s, then we did Dance for Comic Relief together 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!’
Claire was previously in a relationship with Daniel Reilly. They share a son together called Jaxon but split up in 2017.
Despite things coming to an end, it is said Claire and sports icon Ricky still ‘remain good friends’.
‘There has been no fallout between them. They decided they’re better off as pals and are no longer romantically together’, a source told the MailOnline.
‘They enjoyed their time as a couple and have plenty of shared interests, but their lifestyles are very different. While Claire is one of the biggest stars on Coronation Street and is very career-gliding, Ricky’s more freewheeling and unpredictable.
‘Ricky is already packing his bags for a getaway to Tenerife, where he feels more at home. Meanwhile, Claire’s putting her heart and soul into her career, leaving romance behind. She has been consoled by celebrity friends and fellow cast members.’
Metro has contacted Claire’s representative for a comment.
Claire plays the daughter of Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman) in Coronation Street, making her character Tyrone Dobbs’ (Alan Halsall) mum.
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Cassie had spent a portion of this year working as Ken Barlow’s (William Roache) carer. However, in November, she took drastic action in an attempt to not lose her job by lacing Ken’s drink with tablets.
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Discussing the rather unexpected plot twist, actress Claire Sweeney admitted that she was ‘shocked’ when she found out the direction the story would take.
‘It’s Ken Barlow, he’s a national treasure!’, she said. ‘I’m going to be Public Enemy No 1! I think viewers are going to hate her. The funny thing is that they’ve just started to like her – they were finally warming to her – and then this happens.
‘In my head, playing her, I’m trying to find saving graces, but I don’t know if there will be any. I’m a Corrie fan and I’d be fuming watching this.’
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