Ricky Hatton and Claire Sweeney have been seen on a string of dates over the past weekend, with the pair said to have “electric chemistry” – but it seems one of Hatton’s ex isn’t over their fling.
Hatton and Sweeney first met whilst both appearing on the ITV competition Dancing on Ice and were claimed to have hit it off straight away.
In recent weeks, the pair have been enjoying one another's company a bit more, leaving the boxer to allegedly be “besotted” with the soap star.
They recently appeared loved up on Saturday night as they were spotted leaving a pub in Manchester, interlocking their arms and whispering in each other’s ears.
However, since the revelation of their surprise romance, Hatton’s ex-girlfriend Carla Howe has opened up about her experience with him.
Howe claimed that the 45-year-old had previously invited her on a string of dates, including a luxury holiday to Tenerife – but noted that he was “immature”.
Carla claimed that Hatton had a wandering eye
She 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.
"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."
Ricky and Hatton have been spotted together over the weekend
Since the 33-year-old's claims, a spokesperson for Hatton said they were surprised by Howe’s comments and insisted that the pair were never in a relationship with one another.
A representative for Hatton told MailOnline: “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.”
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Ricky's ex has spoken out about his new romance
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GB News has contacted Hatton’s representative for a comment.
After news of Hatton and Sweeney’s relationship with revealed, 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. Saturday was just one in a long line of them.
“They've been seeing each other quite a bit. He is completely besotted.”