Claire Sweeney and Gemma Merna stuns at event in Manchester (2024)

Claire Sweeney stunned in a white jumpsuit as she was mirrored by chic Gemma Merna in the same red garment as they both attended Elle Sera's 3rd birthday lunch at The Ivy restaurant in Manchester.

The Dancing On Ice star, 53, grinned from ear to ear as she made a radiant appearance just shortly after her boyfriend and former boxer Ricky Hatton described their blossoming romance as 'amazing' during a candid chat.

The skin-tight garment with short sleeves enhanced Claire's toned curves as well as a gold zip and matching belt for the event on Tuesday.

She finished off the look with a white clutch bag and sparkling open-toe platform heels, and sported a dazzling silver cross-pendant necklace.

Elsewhere formerHollyoaksstar Gemma, 40, looked in joyful spirits flashing a graceful beam.

The actress showed off her slender frame in the red jumpsuit, adding some dainty jewelleryto the outfit including an array of rings, bracelets and a necklace.

She completed the look with a pair of nude open-toe wedges and accentuated her natural looks with a natural make-up palette.

Former boxer Ricky, 45, andthe CoronationStreet actress have gone from strength to strength in recent months after both starring on last year's Dancing On Ice, MailOnlinerevealed on Tuesday.

Ricky said he has known Claire for about 25 years but it was only when they both starred on the ITV show that a romance blossomed.

In an exclusive interview with Prime Casino, Ricky said: 'I didn't go on Dancing on Iceto find romance, I just went in hoping I wouldn't break my f*****g neck.

'I've known Claire for a while. I've met her at a few functions and at different events over the years. Every time we've spoken we've hit it off and got on with each other.

'We ended up both training in Altrincham, Claire's onCoronation Streetand she's from Liverpool, so we used to train at the same time together.

'We got on straight away while we were training for the ice skating. And then when we travelled down to London where the show actually took place we got on even better.'

Ricky said he knew he had 'half a chance' at wooing Claire because they had got on so well when he had spoken to her in the past.

'I always knew when I turned up and saw she was going on the ice that she was single and I knew I was single,' he said.

'I knew how we had got on so well every time we met each other. I probably thought I had half a chance.

Ricky added: 'It's amazing [to find] someone you’ve probably known for 25 years. I've been in relationships and she's been in relationships. I've had my kids and she's had her kids. And then 25 years later we found each other. It's quite a nice story.'

On Dancing On Ice, Ricky was paired with female skater Robin Johnstone and was sadly the first to be eliminated.

Claire was partnered with male skater Colin Grafton and followed Ricky just two weeks later, the third celebrity eliminated. However, it wasn't all bad news as Ricky had already began pursuing her.

When asked if Ricky would try his hand at another reality competition, he replied: 'I’ll certainly have another look at a show like Dancing On Ice.

'Even though I'm retired, I’m keeping myself busy and that's what I've done over the last two years. If there was another show, I would definitely have a look because even though I was out in the first round I enjoyed it.”'

Prior to Ricky,Claire hadn't been on a date since Christmas 2023and joked she may be following in her grandmother's footsteps - Claire alleges she didn't find love until she was 86.

Claire's last long-term romance was with Daniel Reilly, with whom she shares son Jaxon, eight. The pair split in 2017.

In his early 20s, Ricky had a brief relationship with a woman known only as Claire, who went on to have his boxer son, Campbell Hatton - born on January 9, 2001.

Ricky had his longest relationship with Jennifer Dooley, from 2005 to 2016.

Jennifer was there for some of the highest points of his career, seeing him win or retain multiple world titles as well as being there for the presentation of his MBE in 2007's New Year Honours.

Ricky proposed to her on Valentine's Day of 2009.

He fatefully named the couple's Cheshire house the 'Heartbreak Hotel' after Elvis Presley's hit track.

In 2010, Irish boxing champion Emma Bowe told theMirror of how she had been having an 11-month affair with the boxer after getting his autograph in Dublin.

A rocky period between Jennifer and Hatton after the fighter's retirement in 2012 included him moving in and out of their £3 million home a number of times.

A December 2013 holiday bust-up led to Ricky moving out and after moving back in again months later, in June 2014, he moved out for a second time after going AWOL during a boozy trip toLanzarote.

But their turbulent year was put behind them in the New Year when they went on holiday to Tenerife with their two daughters, Millie, 11, and Fearne, 10.

In 2016, however, another string of drink-fuelled nights out for Ricky put a final end to his and Jennifer's 11-year relationship, after he was pictured looking worse for wear partying with other girls in his arms.

He said of Jennifer: 'It's very upsetting when you've been in such a long-term relationship and it comes to an end.

'I can't deny there are times I have found things difficult.'