How Claire Sweeney fell for ‘hysterical’ Ricky Hatton: Brookside star’s pals reveal she branded boxer ‘funniest person ever’ after DOI meet… as they prepare to take next BIG step

Claire Sweeney’s friends have revealed how the actress fell for the knockout charm of ‘hysterical’ boxing legend Ricky Hatton.

Friends told MailOnline that she has labeled the retired world champion as ‘one of the funniest people’ she has ever met – and that the pair have become ‘incredibly close’ before taking the next big step by planning a summer holiday.

A source revealed: ‘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 had her in hysterics all the time and then they got closer and closer together…”

“Things have gotten serious pretty quickly and they’re just really enjoying each other’s company and seeing how things develop from here…”

Claire and Ricky sparked romance rumors when they were spotted getting cozy on a night out earlier this month, before friends revealed the secrets behind their union

‘They are also discussing taking a holiday together to Tenerife this summer, which will take their relationship to the next level.’

Claire’s friends confessed that they believed she could be a good influence on Ricky, who has suffered from personal problems in the past.

Our source added: ‘Ricky’s had a bit of a rollercoaster lifestyle in the past. Since his retirement, there has been a lot of drinking and partying, which he combines with his boxing training and coaching other fighters.

“But Ricky likes to draw a line under a lot of that. He still likes a drink and a joke, but he’s back on track and open to settling down…

‘That’s why his friends and family are happy that someone like Claire comes along. They think this could be the right time for both of them and everyone just wants them to be happy.”

Details about the couple’s relationship emerged last week. They reportedly struck up a romance after meeting on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.

Sources said they developed “electric chemistry” on the show. Last weekend the couple was spotted on a pub crawl in Greater Manchester.

It’s said to be the latest in a string of dates since March this year, including a trip with friends to Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club.

Claire enjoyed a second pub date with Ricky on Friday evening, with the new couple surprising staff at a pub in Stockport (Claire second from left, Ricky second from right)

A source said: ‘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 have 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 very careful. Let’s watch this space.’

Ricky and Walton native Claire were spotted on a night out with friends on Saturday evening, with bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne in hand, before appearing together again outside a second pub around 11pm.

Claire, 52, in a glamorous black dress and silver heels, had her arm around 45-year-old Ricky’s neck and whispered in his ear as he grinned. He was later seen wrapping his coat around her to keep her warm.

Details about the couple’s relationship emerged last week. They reportedly struck up a romance after meeting on ITV’s Dancing On Ice

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

The couple were also seen together at the Hot Water Comedy Club last weekend, after which he shared images of them having a drink together.

Two days earlier, images of them on another night out appeared on a page outside a pub, The Crown Heaton Moor in Ricky’s hometown of Stockport.

Former light welterweight and welterweight Ricky has a son, Campbell.

He has been linked to Playboy models Carla Howe and Chelsea Claire, along with Marie Pollard, Charlie Nordell and Angela Blemmings.

Claire, who also starred in Brookside, was in a relationship with Tony Hibbard from 2001 to 2007 and her last relationship was with Daniel Reilly, the father of her son Jaxon, eight. They broke up in 2017.

Ricky was paired with Robin Johnstone in Dancing on Ice and was the first celebrity to be voted off the show in January.

He said he was sad to leave the show but went home happy, adding: “I had a great time, I met some great friends.”

Meanwhile, Claire, who took to the Weatherfield cobbles last year as Cassandra Plummer, was voted off two weeks later along with pro partner Colin Grafton.

More recently, the lovers were spotted cozy and arm-in-arm on a night out in Manchester at the weekend