Ricky Hatton and Claire Sweeney dated last year (Image: Anthony Devlin, Getty Images)

Claire Sweeney’s heartfelt message to Ricky Hatton now carries a tragic weight, after the ‘Hitman’ was found d3ad in his home. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Hatton had passed away at his Bowlacre Road residence in Hyde on Sunday morning.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

Despite officially retiring from boxing in November 2012 with an impressive record of 45-3, suffering defeat only to Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao and Vyacheslav Senchenko, Hatton had announced his return to the ring in June.

The Englishman was scheduled to face UAE scrapper Eisa Al Dah at middleweight on December 2 in Dubai, and he was set to fly out to a press conference this summer to announce the bout. However, after sustaining an eye injury at an Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff, Hatton was unable to travel, instead appearing via video call.

During which, he said: “I’m very much looking forward to it myself, to be honest with you. What you’re trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic.”

Ricky Hatton has died at 46 (Image: Getty Images)

Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney also showed her support to Hatton’s comeback by sharing a video of the announcement on Instagram, captioning it: “This is brilliant.”

Hatton and Sweeney’s romance blossomed when they participated in Dancing on Ice last year, despite having known each other intermittently for two decades. The pair were seen enjoying several holidays together, but their love story ended in December.

Despite the split, Claire told MailOnline last winter: “I’m great – we’re still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good.”

The sports world mourned on Sunday, with many of Hatton’s peers sharing tributes on social media. Tyson Fury wrote: “RIP to the legend @rickyhatton, may he RIP. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this, so young.”

Meanwhile, Chris Eubank Jr added: “Rest in Peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you,” and Michael Owen said: “RIP Ricky Hatton. What a guy. And what a fighter. Incredibly sad news.”

The Ring Magazine also expressed their condolences on X, writing: “The Ring is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ring Magazine super-lightweight champion, Ricky Hatton. Our deepest sympathies are with Ricky’s friends and family at this time.”