CLAIRE Sweeney and Ricky Hatton have enjoyed another date together – this time heading down a local pub for casual drinks.
The couple, who met on Dancing On Ice this year, picked The Crown in Heaton Moor, Stockport for their latest date.
Going public with their romance, soap star Claire, 52, and ‘Hitman’ Hatton, 45, gleefully took pictures with punters and staff who were shocked to see them come in on Friday night.
According to the Manchester Evening News, a bartender named Francesca described the pair as “really, really friendly” and happily took pictures after ordering a vodka, lime and soda and a bottle of Peroni.
In the photographs, Claire was seen in a bright white jumpsuit while Hatton wore jeans and a white t-shirt with an open chequered overshirt.
Francesca told the site: “I was a little bit starstruck because I used to be a huge Brookside fan, but then I saw the champ Ricky next to her and asked if I could shake his hand. It was just crazy.”
“We’re a little rough around the edges – there’s other pubs around here that are more well-to-do than we are,” she added. “But we are a proper pub and we have a good time in everything we do. It’s one of those pubs where everyone just wants to have a good time.”
The classic pub vibe was clearly a winner for Claire and Ricky, who have been getting closer since taking part in Dancing On Ice in January.
Ricky split from Playboy model Chelsea Claire, 14 years his junior, days before his debut in the reality show – with those close to Ricky saying the age gap became too much.
While he only lasted a week in the BBC competition, he became close to Claire, and remained in touch. Claire was eliminated in the third week.
A source told The Sun: “It’s since become romantic and they’ve enjoyed a few dates. It’s early days but they’ve got a spark and have been having a great time.”
After their night at The Crown, the pair went to Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club – where The Beatles kick-started their career – on Sunday.
The couple’s blossoming new romance follows a series of personal heartbreaks throughout the years.
Dad-of-three Ricky was devastated when fiancée Jennifer Dooley, 44, left him in 2016 after he went on a string of booze benders.
Scouser Claire was engaged to Daniel Reilly, father to her son Jaxon, but they split in 2015.
