Ricky Hatton has recently opened up about his new romance with Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney after he posted a sweet message to her on social media.
Earlier this month, the stars were seen on a night out together, arm in arm and looking cosy with one another.
The couple are said to have “electric chemistry” and are “besotted” with one another after sparking a bond during their Dancing on Ice stints.
Taking to his Instagram on Wednesday, Hatton wished his new beau a happy birthday alongside two images of the couple together.
He penned: “Happy Birthday Claire! Have the best day gorgeous. Lots of love, Ricky xx” to which Sweeney quickly responded and commented: “Thank you darling.”
A source recently told the Daily Mail that the couple were looking to take their new relationship to the next level.
“Anyone who knows Ricky knows how funny and entertaining he can be. But Claire had no idea until she met him on Dancing on Ice, and that's what really attracted her to him initially...
“He constantly had her in hysterics and they grew closer and closer after that. They are also discussing possibly going on holiday together to Tenerife the Summer which will see their relationship go to the next level.”
When their romance was first announced, a source told the Daily Mirror that Hatton knew that Sweeney’s number one priority was her son and they were being very careful.
“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. Let’s watch this space.”
Claire and Ricky are said to be besotted with one another
Just days after the pair were spotted cosying up to one another, Hatton’s Playboy model “ex” spoke out and gave a stark warning to Sweeney.
Carla Howe told The Sun: “When Ricky was pursuing me he was living a really unhealthy lifestyle - drinking a lot and partying, he was really immature.
“He seems to be back on track now and ready to settle down - if he can control his wandering eye."
Howe went on to admit that she was “shocked” by the pair's romance and claimed that Sweeney was “very different” to who she imagined Hatton would fall for.
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Claire and Ricky are in a very new relationship
"I guess she might be a better fit for him. It seems like she'll be wearing the trousers and the one in control, whereas with me he was looking for someone more submissive."
However, Hatton’s representatives were quick to shut down her comments and claimed that the pair had never been an official couple.
They told the Daily Mail: “Ricky was approached by Carla Howe on a night out for a photograph. Sometime later she messaged Ricky could she have a training session and get some boxing advice as she was scheduled to take part in a boxing contest.
“She did come to the gym with a professional photographer. She later messaged Ricky to see if he would get involved in the promotion, which he declined.
“I wish to point out that they never dated and were not in a relationship and any suggestion to the contrary is factually incorrect.”