Former boxer Ricky Hatton has sadly died aged just 46 – Daily Star is taking a look back at the sportsman’s romantic history and the celebrities he dated
Ricky Hatton dated a few famous faces before his untimely death.
The 46-year-old former boxer was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester, where police have placed a cordon. A GMP spokesperson has issued a statement: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Ricky, also known by his nickname The Hitman, was gearing up for a return to boxing in December 2025, 13 years after his last professional match and had even been sparring with his son, as shown in his final heartbreaking uploads on social media.
The boxer had a number of high profile romances over the years, from his former fiancée to a Coronation Street star and even a Playboy bunny. Scroll on to find out more about Ricky’s love life and who he has previous dated.
Claire Sweeney
Ricky met actress Claire Sweeney, known for her roles in Coronation Street, Brookside, Loose Women and 60 Minute Makeover, on ITV’s Dancing On Ice back in January 2024 and the pair reportedly hit it off right away. The duo dated for weeks before they were seen walking arm in arm throughout Manchester in April of that same year.
A source told The Mirror that Ricky managed to win her over: “The chemistry was electric. Ricky went out of the show early on but he contacted her afterwards and let’s say he started wooing her.”
“They’ve been out on several dates. They’ve been seeing each other quite a bit, he is completely besotted.”
The source noted that the pair “seem an unlikely match” but the boxing legend has “always had a way with women”. They continued: “They fall for his personality, and Claire has.”
“He knows her number one priority is her son so they are being very careful. Let’s watch this space.”
However, after just eight months together the showbiz duo decided to call it quits. Things were left on a high and Claire told The Sun that she was “great” following their split.
She said: “We’re still friends. We were friends, we dated then we’re friends again. It’s all good,” while a source told Daily Mail: “Claire and Ricky remain good friends, there has been no fallout between them. They decided they’re better off as pals and are no longer romantically together.”
Chelsea Claire
Back in 2023, Ricky began dating Playboy model Chelsea Claire.
News of The Hitman’s blossoming romance emerged back in October 2023 after the pair had been dating for a “few months”. Chelsea posted pictures from one of their nights out which showed her wearing a teeny red dress as she posed with her hand on Ricky’s chest.
Ricky looked dapper in a black t-shirt, black suit jacket and black trousers as he placed one hand on her waist.
Chelsea, who was 14 years his junior, added the hashtag “feeling loved”. The pair also went on holiday together and Chelsea wrote online: “One of my favourite evenings in Tenerife…date night.”
Friends congratulated the former boxing star as one comment read: “Hope ur treating her like the princess she deserves.”
At the time, Daily Star reported that Chelsea’s Playboy website included the description: “I’m a bubbly blonde from Ireland, I love adventure and fun.” A source close to the pair also said: “It’s still very early days and they are taking things as they come.”
Just four months later in January 2024 it was reported that Ricky and Chelsea had decided to break off their relationship.
A source told The Sun: “Ricky and Chelsea had a great time together but it ended up being more of a fling. They are at very different stages of their life and Ricky is really looking throwing himself into training and wants to concentrate on that.”
“Things are still really amicable and they will be friends going forward.”
Jennifer Dooley
Ricky and Jennifer began dating back in 2005 and became engaged back in 2009 after he got down on one knee on Valentine’s Day.
The pair later became parents to daughters Millie and Fearne, but the pair later split after it was revealed that Ricky had been involved in an eleven-month affair with boxer Emma Bowe.
Ricky and Jennifer separated but gave things another go a year later. At the time Ricky said that the couple were “working through their difficulties” and they are “no different to anybody else,” except for the fact that his “life is under the spotlight because of who he is”.
Sadly things came to an end once again in 2016.
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