Ricky Hatton admits he and new girlfriend Claire Sweeney get on ‘like a house on fire’ as the couple return from a romantic trip to Tenerife

Sparks flew when they competed against each other on Dancing On Ice.

And now Ricky Hatton has revealed that he and his girlfriend Claire Sweeney are still getting along ‘like a house on fire’ after the couple returned from a romantic trip to Tenerife.

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.

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

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.

The relationship between the former boxer and the Coronation Street actress has gone from strength to strength since they met on Dancing On Ice in January.

Ricky said of Claire: ‘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’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.”

An insider recently revealed that Claire plans 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.

Ricky continued, “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.”

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 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.’

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