Claire Sweeney shares sweet ‘proud of you darling’ message for boyfriend Ricky Hatton as their relationship continues to blossom

Claire Sweeney was overcome with pride as she congratulated her boyfriend Ricky Hatton via Instagram on Wednesday.

Audiences have seen the unlikely relationship between former boxer Ricky, 45, and the Coronation Street actress, 53, go from strength to strength in recent months.

And Claire proved she is Ricky’s biggest supporter when she said she was so proud of the sportsman after it was revealed he had earned his place in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

She shared a video of Ricky talking about the award, writing: ‘So proud of you honey for flying to the US to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

“What an honor and so well deserved @rickyhitmanhatton” alongside a series of red heart emojis.

Audiences have seen the unlikely relationship between former boxer Ricky, 45, and the Coronation Street actress, 53, go from strength to strength in recent months.

Ricky himself said: ‘When I came away I thought receiving an award was a thing of the past. To do what I did, I have great memories, I have an MBE and I thought I was done with it, but to get the call about the Boxing Hall of Fame, that was quite a shock.

‘I also just saw myself as a local man from the Hattersley estate… I always try to keep my feet on the ground and stay humble, and that’s why I feel ashamed when I talk about things like this.

‘I accept this award together with everyone who has worked with me. There are too many people I could name and all the fans who supported me.”

Claire and Ricky hit it off after they both appeared on Dancing On Ice in January, and last month they returned together from a romantic trip to Tenerife.

Ricky revealed the couple are still going ‘like a house on fire’ after the couple returns from holiday.

When was asked by The sun how their holiday went, Ricky replied: ‘It was great! Claire is just like me, I met someone who I get along with like a house on fire.

‘She’s just like me. We spend all the time together laughing. Claire is just like me: she is so down to earth.

‘She would never turn down a photo with a fan and she always has time for people. That’s what I love about her. We just had a lot of fun.”

Claire proved she is Ricky’s biggest supporter as she said she was so proud of the sportsman after it was revealed he had earned his place in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Of the award itself, Ricky said: ‘I accept this award along with everyone who has worked with me… There are too many people I could name and all the fans who have supported me’ (pictured in 2001)

Last month, Ricky revealed the pair are still ‘like a house on fire’ after the pair returned from their romantic getaway to Tenerife

Ricky said of Claire: ‘I’ve met someone who I get along with like a house on fire. She’s just like me. We spend all the time together laughing. Claire is just like me, she is so down to earth’

The sun-soaked getaway to Tenerife came just weeks after they made their red carpet debut in Manchester.

And an insider recently revealed that Claire is also planning to introduce Ricky to her family, including her nine-year-old son Jaxon, who she shares with her ex-partner Daniel Reilly.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Claire and Ricky have become very close. She wasn’t looking for a relationship, but then Ricky came along and it just felt right and natural and she’s very happy.

“She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy, so it feels a bit like winning the lottery, and she’s really counting her blessings because it all comes out of nowhere and a lot of times that’s the best way.

‘She is now very much looking forward to introducing Ricky to her family and friends soon and they are very much looking forward to seeing the man who has put a smile on Claire’s face.’

A source said 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.

A source previously said: ‘She signed up for a reality TV show and met a great guy, so it feels a bit like winning the lottery, and she’s really counting her blessings because it all came out of nowhere ‘

On Dancing On Ice, Ricky was paired with female skater Robin Johnstone and was unfortunately the first to be eliminated

‘It seems an unlikely match, but he is always good with women. They fall for his personality, and Claire has too. He knows her first priority is her son, so they are very careful. Let’s watch this space.’

On Dancing On Ice, Ricky was paired with female skater Robin Johnstone and was unfortunately the first to be eliminated.

Claire was paired with male skater Colin Grafton and followed Ricky just two weeks later, the third celebrity eliminated. It wasn’t all bad news though, as Ricky had already started chasing her.

Prior to Ricky, Claire hadn’t been on a date since Christmas 2023 and joked that she might follow in her grandmother’s footsteps. Claire claims she didn’t find love until she was 86.

Claire’s last long-term romance was with Daniel Reilly, with whom she shares son Jaxon, 8. The couple separated in 2017.

Claire was paired with male skater Colin Grafton and followed Ricky just two weeks later, the third celebrity eliminated. It wasn’t all bad news, though, as Ricky started chasing her