Claire Sweeney has been pictured in tears as she attended the funeral of her ex-boyfriend Ricky Hatton, who was discovered useless at his residence in September on the age of 46.
Coronation Avenue actress Claire Sweeney was noticed in floods of tears as she paid her closing respects at her former associate Ricky Hatton’s funeral service in the present day.
The beloved boxing champion was laid to relaxation this afternoon as family members and admirers congregated for a deeply transferring ceremony in Manchester. His hometown streets had been packed this morning because the hearse transported his coffin in direction of the cathedral.
There, kin, shut buddies and well-known faces assembled to honour his reminiscence.
Liam Gallagher, soccer hero Wayne Rooney alongside spouse Coleen, entertainer Paddy McGuinness, darts champion Phil ‘The Energy’ Taylor and pugilistic giants Tyson Fury and Frank Bruno had been amongst these in attendance. Additionally current was cleaning soap star Claire, who shared a romantic reference to the beloved former world titleholder who was found deceased at 46 in his Hyde residence on September 14.
She turned visibly emotional as his coffin was introduced into Manchester Cathedral. The performer declared she is going to “all the time love” Ricky in a heartfelt message posted days following his passing final month, studies the Mirror.
The Weatherfield common posted a transferring homage to Ricky the place she revealed to supporters that she “adored” the combating icon. The tribute featured a video compilation set to Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream.
Ricky and Claire transitioned from buddies to romantic companions and finally again to friendship after a passionate eight-month relationship. Their relationship blossomed final 12 months earlier than cooling simply previous to the festive season – although it is evident they remained devoted to one another.
Regardless of being acquainted for quite a few years, it was solely following their look on ITV’s Dancing On Ice final 12 months that whispers of a blossoming relationship began to flow into, after a string of pub outings had been witnessed in Manchester.
Their debut public outing as a pair occurred in Might 2024, after they walked the purple carpet on the grand launch of the £365m Co-op Stay Enviornment within the metropolis they each adore.
Ricky, a former gentle welterweight champion, encountered Claire throughout observe classes for the ITV actuality programme and swiftly started charming her.
A supply stated on the time: “The chemistry was electrical. Ricky went out of the present early on however he contacted her afterwards and as an example he began wooing her. They have been out on a number of dates.”
They continued: “They have been seeing one another fairly a bit. He’s fully besotted. It looks as if an unlikely match however he is all the time had a means with ladies. They fall for his character, and Claire has. He is aware of her primary precedence is her son so they’re being very cautious. Let’s watch this house.”
She was devastated when his physique was found at his residence in September.
Right this moment, Claire bid farewell and the 18-mile tribute journey commenced at 9:45am from the Cheshire Cheese pub on Stockport Highway in Hyde earlier than pausing on the Harehill Tavern in Hattersley. The procession then moved on to The New Inn on Mottram New Highway – a pub as soon as owned by Hatton’s mother and father – the place a dove launch came about.
The cortege paused at Hatton’s Fitness center earlier than continuing to Betta Our bodies Fitness center in Denton, the place Hatton skilled for his world title fights.
Subsequently, the procession headed to the Cathedral for an invitation-only funeral service. The cortege then journeyed to Manchester Metropolis’s Etihad Stadium shortly after 1:15pm UK time, offering followers one other alternative to pay their respects.
Following its passage by the Etihad, a personal service for the legendary boxer is ready to happen.
