Months on from his tragic passing and Ricky is set to be celebrated at a star-studded ‘Las Vegas-style’ event
Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney was given an emotional reminder about the loss of her ex-partner Ricky Hatton ahead of a big tribute night in Manchester.
The actress, who plays Cassie Plummer in the ITV soap, was among those to share her devastation at the boxer’s passing, after he was found dead at his home in Hyde, at the age of 46, on September 14. At the time, he had been planning a return to the ring after a 13-year hiatus with a fight scheduled for December.
Claire, who enjoyed an eight-month romance with Ricky in 2024 after they worked together on Dancing On Ice, said days after the tragic news was announced: “I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky.
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“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.” She added: “Ricky, you were the people’s champ. We adored and cherished you. Love you always.”
It was then in October that Claire joined many fellow mourners for Ricky’s final send-off, which took place at Manchester Cathedral following a two-hour journey from Tameside to Manchester city centre, passing many important local spots throughout Ricky’s life and career.
Months on from his tragic passing and Ricky is set to be celebrated at a star-studded ‘Las Vegas-style’ event, which will take place at the AO Arena on June 7. Organisers have said that the Evening4Ricky show will feature a reimagined boxing stage as a line-up of artists and performers take part in a series of entertainment ‘rounds’.
Tony Bellew, Steph Houghton, Natasha Jonas and Johnny Nelson are some of the names confirmed to be involved in the upcoming event so far, with funds raised going towards supporting the Ricky Hatton Foundation and other national and local mental health charity partners, all of which carry out vital work in mental health support and wellbeing.
While out in Manchester, Claire came across a poster for the upcoming celebrations, which she took a picture of and shared to her Instagram Story. Alongside the post, shared on Tuesday (April 21), the soap star said: “Saw this in Manchester yesterday @speak3536 @rickyhattonfoundation.”
Despite knowing each other for years, it wasn’t until after taking part in the now-cancelled ITV competition show Dancing On Ice that Claire and Ricky got people talking about a relationship after being spotted on a series of pub dates, including in Stockport. They then stepped out on the red carpet together for the first time in May 2024 at the first opening night of the £365m Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
But it was in December that year when it was reported Ricky and Claire had split. The breakup came before Christmas and asked about the split during a red carpet appearance, Claire told MailOnline: “I’m great – we’re still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good!”
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