“RICKY Hatton’s ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney has paid a heartwarming tribute to the boxing icon. The soap actress, 54, who had been friends with Ricky for years, started dating him in secret for eight months last year. 4 The pair enjoyed some sweet moments together during their time as a couple Credit: Instagram 4 Claire and”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
The soap actress, 54, who had been friends with Ricky for years, started dating him in secret for eight months last year.
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The pair enjoyed some sweet moments together during their time as a coupleCredit: Instagram
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Claire and Ricky both starred on Dancing on Ice together last yearCredit: Instagram
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Claire Sweeney has paid tribute to her former boyfriend and ‘dear friend’ Ricky HattonCredit: InstagramThe 46-year-old was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
It was revealed today that Ricky was discovered by his long-term manager and close pal Paul Speak.
Since his death, tributes flooded in from all over the world for fan favourite and working class hero Ricky.
And now, Ricky’s former partner Claire Sweeney has penned a touching message for the former world champion.
In a post on social media, she wrote: “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.”
Claire only recently posted a comment on social media backing the boxer ahead of his scheduled ring comeback, saying it was “brilliant”.
The soap star was seen cutting a solemn figure as she pulled her luggage through a rail station concourse yesterday.
Claire, who attended the National Television Awards last week, was pictured with two cases as she made her way onto a train alone.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE, had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.
He appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice last year – where Sweeney also competed.
The pair began dating in secret for eight months, but it wasn’t to last, with Claire saying: “We’re still friends, we were friends.
“We dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good.”
Cops said they were called by a member of the public to attend the scene at 6.45am, where they “found the body of a 46-year-old man.”
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding Ricky’s death.
Boxing pundit Steve Bunce revealed earlier today Paul Speak went to Ricky’s home after he failed to show at an event on Saturday night.
Speaking to 5Live, Bunce said: “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.”
Pictures taken on Sunday showed Paul looking visibly upset as he inspected floral tributes left outside Ricky’s home.
Former champ Amir Khan, who is from nearby Bolton, credits pal Ricky as being a major inspiration
He said: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”
The tragedy came just five days after Ricky sent a heartfelt message to a bullying victim — urging the boy to “keep your chin up”.
He told the youngster, called Louie, to keep going to boxing training to gain confidence.
Ricky tells him: “I believe you’ve been having a tough time at school by a couple of bullies. Even I had a bully when I was at school.
“You’ve done the right thing taking up boxing, not to get your own back and beat him up, but boxing gives you confidence, doesn’t it?
“And the minute these bullies see you’ve got a little bit of confidence, they’ll leave you alone.”
Ricky’s death also comes months after he announced his return to boxing with a fight against Eisa Al Dah planned in Dubai in December.
He won world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight and traded blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
During a glittering 15-year career, he beat ring greats such as Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo.
He went on to suffer knockout losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest UK fighters of his generation.
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It has been revealed that Ricky was discovered by his long-term manager Paul SpeakCredit: @SpeakPaul