Ricky Hatton's ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney will "always" love him following his tragic death.
The 46-year-old boxer was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday (14.09.25) and now actress Claire - who dated the sports star last year - has sent her "deepest sympathy" to his family and declared he was "adored and cherished".
In an emotional statement posted on Instagram, 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 (Ricky's manager Paul Speak) 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 and Ricky had been friends for a long time before their relationship turned romantic last year. However, the romance didn't last and Claire previously admitted they had gone back to being friends again.
She told MailOnline: "We’re still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good."
Before dating Claire, Ricky was in a relationship with model Chelsea Claire, who declared she had been left "heartbroken" by news of his death.
In a post on Instagram, the model shared a picture of the former couple together and wrote: "Heartbroken doesn't begin to cover what myself and the rest of the world are feeling.
"You were an inspiration to many and I was lucky to call you my partner. You will be missed so much."
The couple dated in 2023 after meeting at a bar in Tenerife and Chelsea previously admitted she had no idea who he was when they first met, but he won her over with his dancing karaoke singing.
She told The Sun newspaper: "I didn’t know who he was but my friend offered to buy him a drink. "Instead, he looked over at me and asked me what I wanted. I said a Fireball. We both got them then went on the dance floor most of the night.
"He’s not afraid to take the p**s out of himself and was doing the worm dance]. He had me laughing all night.
"I can’t say his dancing was as good as his karaoke. He sang Wonderwall by Oasis and he’s a really good singer. But he was just a real character and he added my Instagram that night so we could see each other again."
