Claire Sweeney sends sweet, very public message to new boyfriend Ricky Hatton as their romance intensifies

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Claire Sweeney sent a sweet message to Ricky Hatton ahead of the BAFTAs on Sunday night.

The actress, 53, and former boxing champion Ricky, 45, met earlier this year when they were both competing on Dancing On Ice and have grown close since.

And as her former co-star prepared to attend the glitzy bash at the Royal Festival Hall, she wished him luck in the hope he would win in the single documentary category for her Sky Hatton programme.

She wrote on Instagram: “Good luck tonight darling @bafta so proud of you @rickyhitmanhatton” and emblazoned her caption with a heart emoji.

Ultimately, Ricky lost the award to Ellie Simmonds, who won for her documentary Finding My Secret Family.

Claire Sweeney sent Ricky Hatton sweet messages ahead of the BAFTAs on Sunday night where she wished her former co-star good luck

The actress, 53, and former boxing champ Ricky, 45, met earlier this year when they were both competing on Dancing on Ice and have grown close ever since.

The post came just weeks after the pair posed for the first time together officially since it was revealed they were dating at the official opening of Manchester’s doomed Co-Op Live Arena.

But days later, Ricky took to social media to wish Claire a happy birthday.

During her birthday tribute, they beamed in a selfie backstage at Dancing On Ice, where they first met before love blossomed.

Claire has told friends she feels like she “won the lottery” as her romance with Ricky strengthens.

Close friends of the West End star say the relationship “came out of nowhere” after she met boxer Ricky.

‘Claire and Ricky have become very close,’ the friend told MailOnline. “She wasn’t looking for a relationship, but Ricky came along and it felt right and natural to her and she’s really happy.

“She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy, so it’s a bit like winning the lottery and she definitely counts her blessings because it all came out of nowhere and that’s often the best way.

“She’s really looking forward to introducing Ricky to her family and friends soon and they’re really looking forward to the guy who put a smile on Claire’s face.”

The post came just weeks after the pair posed for the first time together officially since it was revealed they were dating at the official opening of Manchester’s doomed Co-Op Live Arena.

Ricky Hatton shared a sweet birthday message for his girlfriend Claire Sweeney on Wednesday after their new romance was revealed this month.

Boxer Ricky, 45, called his new love “beautiful” in his post as he shared two snaps of them together on his Instagram

Claire became the third star to leave this year’s Dancing On Ice in February (pictured with professional partner Colin Grafton)

The former Brookside actress has son Jaxon, eight, with ex-partner Daniel Reilly, while Ricky has Campbell, 23, Millie, 11, and Fearne, 10, from previous relationships.

Friends say the retired world champion is “one of the funniest people” she has ever met – and the pair have become “incredibly close” and are planning a summer getaway.

A source said: “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 in the first place. He constantly made her hysterical and they grew closer and closer after that.

“Things got serious pretty quickly and they’re really enjoying each other’s company and seeing how things go from here.”