BLUE singer Duncan James today revealed his surprise at close friend Claire Sweeney’s new romance with Ricky Hatton.
HOAR exclusively revealed the Dancing on Ice co-stars have been on a string of dates in recent weeks after hitting it off on the ITV reality show.
The ex-world champ boxer, 45, and stage and screen star Claire, 52, were pictured looking close on a night out in Manchester at the weekend.
Today, Blue star Duncan read the latest celebrity news on GMB and admitted the surprise romance had caught him totally off guard.
He then revealed he was going to call Claire for all the details immediately after coming off air.
Our exclusive photos showed the loved-up pair enjoying a night on the town.
They walked between bars in Manchester with Claire putting her arm around the ex-welterweight’s shoulder.
She and Ricky, dubbed The Hitman, were seen carrying champagne bottles out of a pub at 6pm on Saturday before going to another venue.
They called it a night at 11pm, with Claire and Ricky seen cuddling in the street as they said goodbye to pals.
Onlookers also reported seeing the couple at Liverpool’s Cavern club on Sunday.
A source said: “They became friends on Dancing On Ice and really hit it off.
“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.”
Ricky split from Playboy model Chelsea Claire, 14 years his junior, days before his Dancing On Ice debut. Those close to Ricky said the age gap became too much.
He was the first off the ITV show but stayed in touch with Claire, who got to week three.
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, dad of her son, Jaxon, but they split in 2015.
She said previously: “I’m open to dating but I’m so busy with Jaxon, Corrie and everything else.
“If I met someone amazing then that would be lovely but it’s out of my hands.”
She found fame as Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside from 1991-2003, before starring in Chicago in the West End and on ITV’s Loose Women.
Last year she joined Corrie as Cassandra Plummer, mum of Tyrone Dobbs, and it has developed into a major role.
Ricky and Claire are the latest pair to find love through Dancing On Ice.
Ex-footballer Kevin Kilbane and skating pro Brianne Delcourt are engaged after meeting on the 2020 series.
Corrie’s Samia Ghadie and skater Sylvain Longchambon married in 2016 after teaming up in 2013.
Ex-England goalie David Seaman was partnered with Frankie Poultney in 2008 and they married in 2015.
