Ricky Hatton headed for a jog as he was seen for the first time on Wednesday since his new romance with Claire Sweeney was revealed.
The former professional boxer, 45, was keeping in shape amid his new relationship Brookside actress Claire, 52, – who he met on Dancing On Ice earlier this year.
For his run in Manchester he cut a casual figure in black jogging gear and a matching gilet.
He looked in good spirits while getting some light exercise in the park and listened to some music with his headphones in.
It comes after Claire and Ricky sparked romance rumours when they were spotted looking cosy on a night out together over the weekend.
Ricky Hatton headed for a jog as he was seen for the first time on Wednesday since his new romance with Claire Sweeney was revealed
The former professional boxer, 45, was keeping in shape amid his new relationship Brookside actress Claire, 52, – who he met on Dancing On Ice earlier this year
The pair looked loved-up and put their arms around each other as they enjoyed a pub crawl in Manchester.
The pair both starred on Dancing On Ice earlier this year where it appears they developed a connection.
On ITV show Dancing On Ice, Claire was partnered with professional skater Colin Grafton and was eliminated in week three, while Ricky was partnered with Robin Johnstone and left in week one.
And while neither were particularly successful on the skating show it appears a romance may have blossomed from it.
A source told The Sun: ‘They became friends on Dancing On Ice and really hit it off.
‘It’s since become romantic and they’ve enjoyed a few dates. It’s early days but they’ve got a spark and have been having a great time.’
According to another source, the pair have been on a number of dates and Ricky is ‘completely besotted’.
They told the Mirror: ‘The chemistry was electric. Ricky went out of the show early on but he contacted her afterwards and let’s say he started wooing her.
For his run in Manchester he cut a casual figure in simple black jogging gear and a matching gilet
He looked in good spirits while getting some light exercise in the park and listened to some music with his headphones in
It comes after Claire and Ricky sparked romance rumours when they were spotted looking cosy on a night out together over the weekend
‘They’ve been out on several dates. Saturday was just one in a long line of them. They’ve been seeing each other quite a bit. He is completely besotted.
‘It seems like an unlikely match but he’s always had a way with women. They fall for his personality, and Claire has.
‘He knows her number one priority is her son so they are being very careful. Let’s watch this space.’
Claire’s last long-term romance came with Daniel Reilly, and the pair split in 2017. They share son Jaxon, eight.
Claire and Daniel split before learning that she was expecting their son Jaxon and rekindled their relationship when he was born.
But sadly, just nine months after the happy event, Claire and Daniel, once again called off their romance.
Claire told in a statement: ‘Whilst we have decided not to remain together we are committed to bringing up our wonderful son and making sure we are great parents and supporting each other to achieve that.’
Claire got engaged to Daniel on Christmas Eve in 2012 and they split in April 2014, but just weeks later she discovered she was pregnant.
Claire enjoyed a second pub date with Ricky on Friday evening, with the new couple surprising staff at a pub in Stockport.
Claire enjoyed a second pub date with Ricky on Friday evening, with the new couple surprising staff at a pub in Stockport (Claire second left, Ricky second right)
Claire was the third star to leave this year’s Dancing On Ice in February (pictured with pro partner Colin Grafton)
Bartender Francesca at The Crown pub in Heaton Moor, told of how she was left starstruck when Claire and Ricky called in during their live music night.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, she said: ‘I said “Oh, you’re Claire Sweeney from Brookside, aren’t you?”, and she just laughed and said yes. I was a little bit starstruck because I used to be a huge Brookside fan, but then I saw the champ Ricky next to her and asked if I could shake his hand. It was just crazy.
‘They were both really, really friendly. They ordered a vodka, lime and soda and a Peroni but nobody ever invaded their space. We asked if we could get a photo with them and they were more than happy to do so.
‘I asked how they’d heard of the pub as I’d never seen them in there before and they said they just wanted to come in and visit after hearing good things about it. As I run social media for the pub, I give myself a bit of a pat on the back for that!’