Inside Claire Sweeney’s heartbreaking split from ex partner Daniel Reilly before co-star’s tragic death as actress confirms new relationship with Ricky Hatton

Claire Sweeney has had some huge setbacks during her career, including the divorce from her ex-fiancé and the loss of her beloved co-star.

The Brookside and Coronation Street actress’s last long-term romance came with Daniel Reilly, and the pair split in 2017. They share son Jaxon, eight.

Claire, 52, has since admitted she is in no rush to find love again as she currently feels fulfilled and excited by her career.

Although her career and love life have had their ups and downs, things are looking up for Claire as she recently sparked romance rumors with Ricky Hatton after they were spotted looking cozy on a night out together.

The pair both starred in Dancing On Ice earlier this year, and although neither were particularly successful in the skating show, it appears a romance has developed from it.

Daniel Reilly broke up

Claire’s last long-term romance came with Daniel Reilly, and the pair split in 2017. They share son Jaxon, eight.

Claire and Daniel split before learning she was pregnant with their son Jaxon and mended their relationship when he was born.

But unfortunately, just nine months after the happy event, Claire and Daniel once again called off their romance.

Claire told MailOnline in a statement: ‘Although we have decided not to stay together, we are committed to raising our wonderful son and ensuring we are great parents and support each other to achieve that.’

Claire got engaged to Daniel on Christmas Eve in 2012 and they split in April 2014, but just weeks later she discovered she was pregnant.

They grew closer during the pregnancy and last year, in an interview with OK! magazine revealed to Claire that they were back together.

“We’re together all the time now,” she said. ‘The priority is the baby and Daniel is supporting me here and he is fantastic. Daniel lived with me and took care of me. He’s been so nice.’

The former Brookside actress told the publication that Daniel had quickly become a very hands-on father.

“He was brilliant,” she said. “He took him off me for a few hours this morning so I could get some sleep.

‘Daniel immediately started changing nappies and he is always there to support me. I couldn’t ask for anyone better.’

Claire also revealed why she decided to name her little one Jaxon, despite planning to name him Gabriel.

‘Jaxon was a name Daniel and I chose together when I was pregnant the year before when I had two miscarriages. I liked that it was a name we both agreed on.”

Tragic death of co-star

Claire was hit hard when her Brookside co-star Dean Sullivan sadly passed away last year after a battle with prostate cancer.

The death of the beloved actor, known to millions as drug dealer Jimmy Corkhill in Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, was confirmed in a statement from his family.

Claire, who played Jimmy’s daughter Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside, shared a tribute to her on-screen dad on Instagram.

‘I’ll miss you Dean, I love you. It was wonderful to be reunited as a family for the Soap Awards this year. RIP Dean Sullivan,” she wrote alongside a photo of them from June 2023 at the British Soap Awards.

Dean and Claire reunited at the awards, along with Sue, who played Jimmy’s wife Jackie.

Claire, who played Lindsey for 12 years, posed for the family reunion and admitted it felt very “emotional” at the time to see Dean again.

Claire joined Dean’s on-screen wife Sue Jenkins at Liverpool Parish Church for the late actor’s funeral.

Paul Burrell was also in attendance as they led the stars to pay tribute at the ceremony, with Dean’s beloved dog Billy the Schnauzer also seen in the church.

New romance with Ricky Hatton

Claire and Ricky have sparked romance rumors after looking cozy on a night out together this weekend.

The Brookside and Coronation Street actress, 52, and the former professional boxer, 45, – who are both believed to be single – looked loved up and wrapped their arms around each other as they enjoyed a pub crawl in Manchester.

The pair both starred in Dancing On Ice earlier this year, where it seems they have developed a connection.

In the ITV show Dancing On Ice, Claire teamed up with professional skater Colin Grafton and was eliminated in week three, while Ricky teamed up with Robin Johnstone and left in week one.

And while neither of them were particularly successful at the skating show, it seems like a romance resulted.

A source told The Sun: ‘They became friends on Dancing On Ice and really hit it off.

‘It has since become romantic and they have gone on a few dates. It’s still early, but they have a spark and had a great time.’

According to another source, the couple has been on a number of dates and Ricky is “totally in love.”

They told the Mirror: ‘The chemistry was electric. Ricky left the show early on, but he hooked up with her afterward and let’s just say he started courting her.

‘They’ve been on several dates. On Saturday there was only one in a long line. They’ve seen each other quite a bit. He is completely in love.

‘It seems an unlikely match, but he has always been good with women. They fall for his personality, and Claire has too.

“He knows her first priority is her son, so they are being very careful. Let’s watch this space.’