Ricky Hatton's ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney breaks silence after boxing legend's death

Ricky Hatton's ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney called him 'the people's champ' as she spoke out for the first time following his death.

News of Ricky's death stunned fans on Sunday, with the star found dead at his home at the age of 46. Greater Manchester Police confirmed a body had been found at Hatton's address and that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Fans, celebrity admirers and Ricky's friends in the industry spoke out in a flood of support to pay their respects to the much-loved sportsman. Ricky's former partner Claire has today added her own tribute as she said she 'loved and cherished' the former boxing world champ and had needed time to process her loss.

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Taking to Instagram Claire said: "I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky. My thoughts are with his family especially his children Campbell, Millie Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter. To them, Speaky and to all his friends who loved him so deeply and for so many years I send you my deepest sympathy. Ricky, you were the people’s champ. We adored and cherished you. Love you always," she said.

Claire accompanied her words with a montage of videos and photos from her time with Ricky, soundtracked by the Elvis track 'If I can dream.'

The soap star's friends reached out to offer their condolences. Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Eva Price, in Coronation Street wrote: "I'm so deeply sorry my love. A true legend gone too soon. God bless and love to him and his family/friends. Love you xx" While former EastEnders star Rita Simons responded with a simple red love heart.

After being friends for over two decades, Ricky and Claire became romantically involved after they both competed on the 2024 series of Dancing on Ice.

Claire gushed at the time : "I've known him for 25 years or so, we kind of always passed each other during events.... Do you know what? He makes me laugh, that's it."

While Ricky described it as a 'great story' after they went from friends to lovers.

The pair seemed like a perfect match and were photographed on cosy pub date nights, holidays to Mallorca and even a double date with Ricky's former skating partner Robin Johnstone an her husband Andy Buchanan.

Sadly, the pair's romance wasn't to last as it was reported in December 2024 that their romance had come to an end after eight months together.

Claire said about her and Ricky's relationship following their split: "We're still friends. We were friends, we dated then we're friends again. It's all good."

Claire's post comes after Ricky's long-serving manager revealed he had found the body of his friend at the boxer's home after becoming concerned for his welfare.

Paul Speak, who was also Hatton's "confidant", is said to "deserve a little bit of love" following the grim discovery on Sunday morning. He let himself into the boxing icon's home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, after Hatton, 46, failed to turn up to a boxing show on Saturday evening.

Boxing commentator Steve Bunce said last night: "He (Mr Bunce) filled me in on a few details about the Friday night and the Saturday night. On the Saturday night, Ricky hadn't gone to a boxing show... Speaky had found out Sunday morning. Speaky went round and let himself into the house. In fact it was Paul Speak who found his great friend and the people's champion Ricky Hatton.

"Speaky deserves a little bit of love. You can't even begin to imagine. It's a 25-year relationship they've had as his commercial and business manager, but more than that it's his close friend. It's his confidant... I can't think of another relationship like it in sport to be perfectly honest. So Speaky was the one that found him."

The family of Ricky Hatton paid tribute to their "beloved son Richard" yesterday. In the emotional statement released through police, the boxer's family said it was "source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched".

Former boxer Stacey Copeland, a close friend of Hatton, spoke to the BBC Five Live for a special 'Remembering Ricky Hatton' programme which aired on Monday night. Ms Copeland said Hatton "dared to dream" and told how she saw Hatton last on Thursday at his gym.

Hatton, born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, was due to be in Dubai on Monday, to sign a contract for a fight he was due to have in December against United Arab Emirates fighter Eisa Al Dah, Ms Copeland added.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Copeland said: "He was saying he had a problem with his elbow. It was starting to hurt. We just had a bit of a joke, saying 'you are knocking on now Rick'. That was it. To say it was a shock is a massive understatement."

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