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WORLD champion Ricky Hatton secretly dated Corrie star Claire Sweeney for months after meeting on Dancing on Ice.
The sporting icon was sadly found dead at his home in Manchester this morning at the age of 46.
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Greater Manchester Police said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Fan favourite Hatton, known as The Hitman, won four world titles after trading blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
It comes after he found love again with an old friend last year.
Hatton and Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney appeared on Dancing On Ice together and began secretly dating after the show.
A source said in 2024: “They became friends on Dancing On Ice and really hit it off.
“It’s since become romantic and they’ve enjoyed a few dates. It’s early days but they’ve got a spark and have been having a great time.”
He was the first off the ITV show but stayed in touch with Claire, who got to week three.
Hatton and Claire had been friends for 25 years before things became romantic after they both appeared on the show.
The couple initially dated in secret and enjoyed a holiday to Tenerife together before going public with their romance.
But it wasn’t to last with Claire saying: “We’re still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good.”
In 2016 he split with Jennifer Dooley, the mother of his daughters Millie and Fearne, after 11 years together.
His 24-year-old son Campbell, from a previous relationship, was also a professional boxer but has since retired.
Hatton – who was an Oasis fan – famously had Noel and Liam Gallagher walk him into the ring for his 2008 fight, and later attended their reunion concerts.
Tributes have flooded in for the legendary down-to-earth fighter, with heartbroken posts reading: “RIP Hitman”.
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
Ricky Hatton tasted defeat just three times in an illustrious 46 fight career that saw him earn an estimated £37million in prize money. Here are some of his most memorable victories:
Tommy Peacock by TKO – In his 11th fight as a professional Ricky won his first title – the vacant Central Area light-welterweight belt – at Oldham Sports Centre
Jon Thaxton on points – Ricky picked up national honours when he defeated Thaxton for the vacant British light-welterweight strap at Wembley Conference Centre in 2000
Kostya Tsyzu retired – In front of a rapturous home crowd inside Manchester’s MEN Arena, Ricky became a world champion for the first time. He won the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles against the former undisputed champ Tsyzu
Luis Collazo unanimous decision – Just three fights later Ricky added to his title collection, claiming the WBA light-welterweight title stateside by beating tough Collazo over 12 rounds
Paulie Malignaggi TKO – Ricky’s final boxing victory came against loud-mouthed American-Italian fighter Malignaggi in Las Vegas. The Hitman let his fists do the talking and stopped his foe in the 11th round. He earned a cool $2.5million for his night’s work.
Six months later Ricky would taste defeat for a second time, the first being against Floyd Mayweather in 2007, against Phillippino superstar Manny Pacquiao. He suffered a brutal second round knockout and was taken to hospital for a precautionary brain scan.
Fellow boxing legend Tyson Fury wrote on Instagram: “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he RIP. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this so young.”
“An icon of British boxing and one of its best characters,” one fan wrote.
Piers Morgan wrote on X: “RIP Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.”
Former world champion Amir Khan wrote in a touching post: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”
Hatton’s stellar career spanned from 1997 to 2012, in which he held multiple world championships.
The grandad recently announced he was going to lace up his gloves again on December 2 for a Dubai dust-up with Eisa Aldah – thirteen years after his ill-fated comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
After his retirement he struggled with alcohol abuse and depression, but got himself back on the straight and narrow three years ago for an exhibition bout with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera.
He has candidly spoken out about his struggles in the past.
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