Claire Sweeney risks wardrobe malfunction as her bikini top nearly falls off on the beach in Barbados following her split from Ricky Hatton

Claire Sweeney risked a wardrobe malfunction when her bikini top nearly fell off while on the beach in Barbados.

The former Brookside star, 53, escaped the icy British weather over the Christmas period and celebrated the New Year in the Caribbean.

The actress looked in good spirits as she frolicked in the water, but then gasped as she tried to keep her top from falling off.

Claire wore a light blue two-piece with a leaf print and a white belt, as she styled her blonde locks in an updo.

The star also donned a matching sheer robe and sunglasses as she took a stroll along the sand.

Before going for a dip, Claire cut a casual figure in a white cardigan and blue leggings as she relaxed on a beach chair with a cup of coffee.

Claire’s Caribbean holiday comes just weeks after her split from boyfriend Ricky Hatton after eight months of dating.

The former couple secretly dated after starring in ITV’s Dancing On Ice and enjoyed a holiday in Tenerife in May.

But since their summer holiday, the boxer and former Brookside actress have split – months after Claire spoke about their bond over humor and their shared love of TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

The pair were last pictured together on November 13 in Manchester while attending the musical version of the hit sitcom, which is currently on tour in the UK.

But speaking about the split at the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada, Claire told MailOnline: ‘I’m great – we’re still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good!’

Coronation Street actress Claire previously explained that she and Ricky had known each other for 25 years before sparks flew between them, while the boxing champion said it was ‘nice’ that they were able to connect following the end of their respective relationships.

Claire was single after her split from ex Daniel Reilly, with whom she shares son Jaxon, in 2017, and Ricky, who has three children, was a free agent after his romance with beautician Angela Blemmings ended two years ago.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Claire and Ricky remain good friends and there has been no falling out between them.

‘They decided they are better off as friends and no longer romantically together.

‘They enjoyed their time as a couple and have many shared interests, but their lifestyles are very different.

‘While Claire is one of Coronation Street’s biggest stars and very career-floating, Ricky is freer and more unpredictable.

‘Ricky is already packing his bags for a trip to Tenerife, where he feels more at home. Meanwhile, Claire puts her heart and soul into her career and leaves romance behind.

“She has been comforted by famous friends and fellow cast members.”

Claire told how she and Ricky found a romantic connection after 25 years of friendship during a performance in Lorraine in July.

She said: ‘We used to bump into each other at events, we did a TV show together, first I met him at La Manga in the early 2000s and then we danced together for Comic Relief in 2013 and then met on Dancing On Ice. It was great.’

MailOnline has contacted Ricky and Claire’s representatives for comment.

Ricky said he found love with Claire when he least expected it, when he took part in Dancing On Ice last year.

The welterweight boxer explained: ‘I didn’t go to Dancing On Ice to find romance, I just went in hoping I wouldn’t break my bloody neck.

‘I’ve known Claire for a while. I’ve met her through tears at a few events and at several events. Every time we spoke we clicked and got along.

“We were both training in Altrincham, Claire’s in Coronation Street and she’s from Liverpool so we were training at the same time.

‘While we were training for skating, we immediately got to work. And when we traveled to London, where her show actually took place, we felt even better.”