MET HIS MATCH? Claire Sweeney cosies up to Ricky Hatton on night out in Manchester together after meeting on Dancing On Ice

KNOCKOUT Claire Sweeney has been spotted cosying up to boxing champion Ricky Hatton.

Our exclusive pictures show Dancing on Ice co-stars Claire, 52, and 45-year-old Ricky with their arms wrapped around each other during a night out.

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The pair were pictured getting close after having drinks on SaturdayCredit: Splash

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Ricky Hatton wrapped his arm around Claire Sweeney on a night outCredit: Splash

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Claire leaned in close to whisper in Ricky's earCredit: Splash

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The actress reached out to hold onto Ricky as they walked homeCredit: Splash

The glam Corrie actress dressed up to spend the weekend with Ricky - four weeks after the ITV show's final.

Our exclusive pictures show both Claire, 52, and 45-year-old Ricky with their arms wrapped around each other during a night out.

They were near boxing legend Ricky's home town of Greater Manchester on Saturday night.

Ricky was seen carrying two bottles of champagne as they headed from one pub onto the next.Claire looked glamorous in a black-patterned dress and high heels while Ricky dressed up ripped jeans and trainers with a black velvet suit jacket.

Later in the night, the jacket ended up draped over Claire's shoulders.

He was then seen with his hand on ex-Brookside star Claire's back, having given her his jacket to keep warm.

The couple looked happy and carefree as they enjoyed each other's company alongside mutual pals - before being seen wandering in the direction of Ricky's home around midnight.The pictures have sparked romance rumours between the pair - who both competed in Dancing on Ice 2024, which was won by Ryan Thomas.

The Sun has reached out to both Ricky and Claire's reps.

Boxer Ricky, 45, revealed he was single again after splitting from his Playboy model girlfriend Chelsea Claire, 31.

They split in January - weeks after he began training for the ITV skating show.

It's believed their age gap proved too much for the couple who broke up after just four months of dating.

Unlucky-in-love Ricky - known as The Hitman - was devastated when his long-time fiancée Jennifer Dooley, 44, left him in 2016 after he went on a string of booze benders.

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Ricky beamed as he looked at Claire on their night outCredit: Splash

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Claire wore heels for the occasionCredit: Splash

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He was carrying two bottles of champagneCredit: Splash

At the time he vowed never to use celebrity dating apps to find love.

He was previously rumoured to be dating another Playboy model a few years ago - Carla Howe.

Prior to Carla, Ricky dated beauty therapist Angela Blemmings on and off for a year.

He met up with Claire and the rest of the Dancing on Ice cast for the final last month.

Actress Claire was pictured on the ice with Ricky as they rehearsed ahead of the live show.

Claire wrote: "Great to be back on the ice with everyone yesterday @dancingonice.

"I laughed all day and really enjoyed Skating again with @colin_grafton #happytimes."

Ricky - who competed in pro-boxing between 1997 and 2012 - was the first to be axed from Dancing on Ice.

Claire lasted just two weeks' longer after losing out to comedian Lou Sanders in the skate-off.

Claire has a son, Jaxon, with her former partner Daniel Reilly. She previously dated ex Tony Hibbard for six years, until 2007.

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Rick was first to be voted out of Dancing on Ice 2024Credit: Rex

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Claire looked stunning on the ic