Ricky Hatton reveals romantic connection with Claire Sweeney sparked during Dancing on Ice

Boxing icon Ricky Hatton has opened up about his unexpected love story with television star Claire Sweeney.

The pair sparked a connection while competing on the frosty stages of this year's Dancing On Ice. But as Ricky explains, their encounter on the ice rink wasn't their first history of friendly rapport between them.

Speaking to Prime Casino, Hatton shared: "I didn't go on Dancing on Ice to find romance, I just went in hoping I wouldn't break my f****** neck. I've known Claire for a while. I've met her at a few functions and at different Start of quotation missing events over the years."

Reflecting on their chemistry, he continued, "Every time we've spoken we've hit it off and got on with each other. We ended up both training in Altrincham, Claire's on Coronation Street and she's from Liverpool, so we used to train at the same time together."

Their companionship blossomed on the rink. "We got on straight away while we were training for the ice skating. And then when we travelled down to London, where the show actually took place, we got on even better," reports the Liverpool Echo.

Hatton admitted that a romantic spark seemed possible due to their mutual single status, saying: "I always knew when I turned up and saw she was going on the ice that she was single and I knew I was single."

He affectionately concluded with the humorous candour only a boxer could possess: "And I knew how we had gotten on so well every time we met each other. I probably thought I had half a chance, yeah. And as it turned out it was yeah."

Hatton is over the moon with the Coronation Street and Brookside star as they've jetted off for a holiday together and have been seen on a series of dates at events. He expressed: "It's amazing [to find] someone you've probably known for 25 years. I've been in relationships and she's been in relationships."

"I've had my kids and she's had her kids. And then 25 years later we found each other. It's quite a nice story."

Despite his early exit from Dancing On Ice, Hatton's experience was positive and he wouldn't dismiss another reality-style programme in the future. He shared: "I'll certainly have another look at a show like Dancing On Ice."

"I did my exhibition with Barrera, which got a lot of good feedback and it got me back into good shape. My documentary came out on Sky Documentaries and that was up for a BAFTA."

"I've been inducted into the Hall of Fame and I went on Dancing on Ice and I've met Claire. Even though I'm retired, I'm keeping myself busy and that's what I've done over the last two years. If there was another show, I would definitely have a look because, even though I was out in the first round, I enjoyed it."