Ricky Hatton’s ex and close friend Claire Sweeney posted a sweet message to the boxer just weeks before his death.
The former World Boxing Champion died aged 46, it was revealed on Sunday.
He was found at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside, and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
After retiring from the ring, he had moved into coaching but was due to return to boxing, with a fight planned in December.
And actress Claire, 54, who dated Ricky last year and remained good friends with him, was supportive of his recent comeback announcement.
Just weeks ago she shared a video announcing his return to the sport. ‘This is brilliant’, she captioned it.
Ricky struck up a romance with Coronation Street star Claire when they spent time together while competing on Dancing On Ice in January 2024.
Ricky Hatton’s ex and close friend Claire Sweeney posted a sweet message to the boxer just weeks before his death
Actress Claire, 54, who dated Ricky last year and remained good friends with him, was supportive of his recent boxing comeback announcement
Claire previously explained she and Ricky had known each other for 25 years before sparks flew between them, while the boxing champion said it was ‘nice’ they were able to connect following the end of their respective relationships.
The actress had been single following her separation from ex Daniel Reilly, with whom she shares son Jaxon, in 2017.
While they enjoyed a holiday together in Tenerife, the couple split in December 2024 after eight months together.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Claire and Ricky remain good friends, there has been no falling out between them. They decided they’re better off as pals and are no longer romantically together.
‘They enjoyed their time as a couple and have plenty of shared interests, but their lifestyles are very different.’
Claire and Ricky remained on friendly terms after their relationship ended.
The former boxer died aged 46 – just weeks after announcing a dramatic return to the ring.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.’
Ricky struck up a romance with Coronation Street star Claire when they spent time together while competing on Dancing On Ice in January 2024
He was found at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside, and his death is not being treated as suspicious
The Daily Mail understands that friends were initially concerned last night, when Hatton failed to appear at an event featuring one of his boxers.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2007, had often spoken of his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
As the news of his death broke, Ricky’s celebrity friends paid tribute to the sportsman.
Olympian Greg Rutherford competed alongside Ricky on the 2024 series of Dancing On Ice, and shared a photo of the two sportsmen smiling on the rink.
‘Utterly heart breaking news,’ Greg wrote.
‘I was so star struck when I met Ricky for the first time and asked for this photo. I told him how big a fan I was and through the entire chat he couldn’t have been kinder and more engaged.
‘Getting to know him the little bit I did, that kindness always shined [sic] through. We had a couple of chats about mental health and the battles he’d faced and I told him some things that I hadn’t told anyone else about my own battles. He had some amazing words of support and I will always be thankful for that.
‘A great human first and one of the greatest boxers we’ve seen. He’s going to be so missed. Love to his family.’
Ricky’s Dancing On Ice skating partner Robin Johnstone also paid tribute to Ricky in a statement, admitting he’d been doing ‘so well’ before his death.
She told The Mirror: ‘I’m devastated. It’s so sad. Ricky was a friend.
‘My last memory of him is him looking out at me on the ice during Torvill and Dean’s show, with his girls and his eyes were just lit up, he was so excited to watch us, as were his girls. His kids were everything to him…
‘Out of all my partners on the show, we kept in touch the most. He was in training mode and seemed in such good form, he was asking how we were… we were on the Torvill and Dean tour, and his girls came with him to see the show. We’ve met his girls quite a few times.’
Fellow DOI star Amber Davies wrote on Instagram: ‘Lovely Ricky, thinking of all his loved ones. One of the sweetest during our time together on Dancing On Ice. RIP.’
Oti Mabuse, who was a judge on Dancing On Ice during Ricky’s tenure, posted on her Instagram Stories: ‘My heart goes out to @rickyhitmanhatton. Kindest heart and sweetest man, was like a father to many celebs on DOI #RIP.’
David Beckham also shared his own tribute to Ricky, posting a snap of him from his boxing heyday.
He wrote: ‘Ricky was one of a kind… just heartbreaking… Ricky was special in many ways, loved by his fans.’
The former footballer shared a quote from Ricky himself, which read: ‘As long as I’ve got the love of the fans, that means everything to me.’
DOI contestant Adele Roberts posted: ‘Goodnight Ricky.
‘Absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the news of Ricky’s passing. Thinking of his family, friends right now and all who knew him.
‘He was such an amazing man. Someone I have admired from afar for years and [I] couldn’t believe it when I got the chance to meet him.
‘He was everything I hoped he’d be and more. So kind, funny, generous… his laughter and spirit filled the room… he had the heart of a champ and was FEARLESS. You will be sorely missed Ricky. Gone way too soon. Rest in power Champ.’
After retiring from the ring, he had moved into coaching but was due to return to boxing with a fight planned in December
Hollyoaks star Will Mellor wrote on X: ‘I’m absolutely devastated to hear about my good friend Ricky Hatton!! He was the real people’s champion but his biggest battle was his mental health! May you rest in peace mate.’
Actor Ray Winstone wrote: ‘Shocking news, feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach. I never even had the pleasure of meeting him but I still feel like I know him. A great champion in the ring and of the people. My deepest sympathies to his family. Rest in peace Champ gone far too early.’
Piers Morgan also paid tribute, writing on X: ‘RIP Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.’
During his BBC Radio 2 show, Paddy McGuinness broke the news of Ricky’s passing, fighting back tears as he paid tribute to his ‘great mate’.
