Ricky and Claire fell for each other on the ice

TRIBUTES TO 'MODERN GREAT' OF BOXING AFTER HIS DEATH AT 46

- By JESSICA SANSOME, CAROLINE HEMMINGHAM

RICKY 'The Hitman' Hatton's eightmonth relationship with Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney made headlines nationwide after the stars seemingly fell head over heels on an ice rink.

The world boxing champion, who tragically passed away at the age of 46 yesterday, was participating in Dancing on Ice early last year when he reconnected with the Liverpool actress, who plays Cassie Plummer in Corrie.

Despite their longstanding acquaintance, it wasn't until after their stint on the now-defunct ITV show that rumours of a romance began to swirl, following sightings of them on a series of pub dates.

Their first public appearance as a couple was in May 2024 at the inaugural opening night of the £365m Coop Live Arena in Manchester.

They were then pictured enjoying holidays in Tenerife and Mallorca and Ricky confirmed last July that he and Claire had been dating for five months.