Boxing legend Ricky Hatton dated Claire Sweeney after the pair ‘fell for each other during rehearsals’ for Dancing On Ice, but he’s been linked to a string of women over the years
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton, known for his tumultuous love life outside the ring, has died at the age of 46. The boxing icon was found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, the police have confirmed.
The boxing legend, also known as The Hitman, met Claire, 54, on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in January and they were inseparable since. The pair were recently spotted arm-in-arm during a lively pub crawl in Greater Manchester.
Claire, who was happily single before meeting the Stockport-born trainer, was swept off her feet by his charm, leading to an ‘electric chemistry’, according to a source who spoke to the Mirror. However, things weren’t to last between the pair as things ended in December 2024. It was reported their romance fizzled out but they remained good friends.
However, Claire isn’t the only woman to be charmed by the boxer – he we take a look at the late star’s romances.
Claire Sweeney
Ricky, a former light welterweight champion, met Claire during rehearsals for the ITV reality show and began to win her over. A source 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. They’ve been out on several dates.”
They added: “They’ve been seeing each other quite a bit. He is completely besotted.”
The insider went on: “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, from Liverpool, last dated Daniel Reilly, the father of her eight year old son Jaxon. Their relationship ended in 2017.
Speaking to the Mirror’s Invite Only podcast in January, she said: “I really want to be with someone who makes me laugh. Someone who’s kind. Someone I will click with. So, someone like that, it just wouldn’t be about aesthetics – OK, there’s an initial attraction but I want it to be more than aesthetics, that’s the type of person I’m looking for.”
However, sadly romance didn’t last between Ricky and Claire as it was reported they called time on their relationship in December 2024 but remained on friendly terms.
Chelsea Claire
Just before his Dancing on Ice debut, Ricky ended things with Playboy model Chelsea Claire, who was 14 years his junior. The couple had a short-lived romance, beginning in the summer of 2023 but keeping their love affair under wraps until October of the same year.
Despite things seeming to go well for the sportsman, work commitments put a strain on their relationship.
A source told The Sun: “Ricky and Chelsea had a great time together, but it ended up being more of a fling. They are at very different stages of their life and Ricky is really throwing himself into training and wants to concentrate on that. Things are still really amicable and they will be friends going forward.”
Angela Blemmings
Beauty expert Angela Blemmings began seeing Ricky in July 2022 and the couple made their relationship official after sharing a snap from their romantic Dublin getaway.
Angela accompanied Ricky to the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year ceremony in December, but their romance fizzled out in 2023.
Marie Pollard
Ricky and Marie Pollard were an item in 2016 but their relationship was brief as they parted ways the next year.
However, five years on, they rekindled their romance and revealed to followers that they were back together.
The duo shared snaps from their loved-up Croatian holiday in 2021.
A source at the time revealed: “He’s known Marie for years, but they’ve grown close again. Ricky’s really happy.”
Jennifer Dooley
Ricky was already father to son Campbell Hatton, a boxer, with former partner Claire when he began dating Jennifer Dooley in 2005.
The pair, who are parents to daughters Millie and Fearne, became engaged in 2009 after Ricky popped the question on Valentine’s Day.
Yet he ominously christened their Cheshire home the ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ in tribute to Elvis Presley’s legendary track. In 2010, footage emerged of Ricky taking cocaine, leading him to enter rehabilitation whilst Jennifer remained supportive.
However, just a month afterwards, Irish boxing champion Emma Bowe revealed to the Mirror that she’d been conducting an 11-month affair with the boxer following an autograph encounter in Dublin.
The pair separated in 2013 with Ricky departing their £3million family residence, though they reconciled 12 months later.
Ricky commented at the time: “Me and Jennifer are working through our difficulties. We are no different to anybody else except my life is under the spotlight because of who I am.”
The relationship appeared to be improving when the family holidayed in Tenerife during the New Year period.
However, in 2016, following another series of alcohol-fuelled evenings out for Ricky, his 11-year romance with Jennifer concluded after he was photographed looking dishevelled whilst partying with other women.
Speaking to the Daily Star about his former fiancée, he said: “It’s very upsetting when you’ve been in such a long-term relationship and it comes to an end. I can’t deny there are times I have found things difficult.”
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