By Tina Campbell

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Actress Claire Sweeney has broken her silence to pay tribute to ex-boyfriend Ricky Hatton after the former boxing champion was found dead aged 46 at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester at the weekend.

Sweeney, who met the Manchester-born boxer while appearing alongside him on ITV’s Dancing on Ice last year, said she had needed “a few days to process” the devastating news.

Posting on Instagram, the Coronation Street star wrote: “My thoughts are with his family, especially his children Campbell, Millie, Fearne and Lyla, and his granddaughter. To them, Speaky (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,” she added alongside a slew of images and clips set to Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream.

Hatton, nicknamed “The Hitman,” was one of Britain’s most popular boxers, admired for his relentless style and down-to-earth personality. He became a household name in the 2000s, winning multiple world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight.

In 2007, he famously took thousands of British fans to Las Vegas for his blockbuster fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr – his first professional defeat. Two years later he was knocked out by Manny Pacquiao, and his final professional bout came in 2012 against Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Despite those setbacks, Hatton’s career record stood at an impressive 45 wins and just three defeats. Sky News sport correspondent Rob Harris described him as “one of the great personalities of British boxing,” adding: “He seemed so ordinary while achieving such great sporting heights.”

Hatton had recently announced plans to come out of retirement for an exhibition bout in Dubai this December, 13 years after his last professional fight.

Away from the ring, he was candid about his struggles with depression and became a vocal advocate for mental health awareness.

Police confirmed they are not treating Hatton’s death as suspicious.

News of his passing has rocked the boxing world and beyond, with tributes pouring in from fellow fighters, celebrities and fans, including Amir Khan, Tyson Fury, Chris Eubank Jr and Barry McGuigan.

Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and David Beckham have also paid respects.

His boyhood club Manchester City held a minute’s applause ahead of their 3-0 derby win over Manchester United on Sunday. Goalscorer Phil Foden said afterwards: “It was for him and his family. It was all for him.”