Coronation Street's Claire Sweeney supported as she ditches UK for 'happy times' after Ricky Hatton heartbreak

Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has been flooded with messages as she ditched the UK ahead of ringing in a new year following her split from Ricky Hatton.

The actress was seen spending Christmas with her son, Jaxon, before jumping on a plane to Barbados for some winter sun ahead of the start of 2025, with her mum Kathleen joining in on the fun.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News before Christmas, Claire, who plays Cassie Plummer in the ITV soap, said: "I'm filming right up to the 20th December and my little boy, who goes to school in London, he'll be coming up on the 20th and he'll see his dad, see the family. We'll have Christmas Day at home in the flat here, and then we have a holiday on Boxing Day, with my little boy and me."

Talking about how she marks the special day herself, Claire said: "It's the presents in the morning then the smoked salmon, scrambled egg and a bucks fizz then the King's speech and then lunch. Just the usual, you know."

But the festive period came after news of her split from Ricky Hatton, almost a year after they were seen on-screen together taking part in ITV's Dancing on Ice. Speaking about the breakup, she told MailOnline: "I'm great - we're still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we're friends again. It's all good!"

Now, Claire is looking to the 'happy times' ahead as she was seen posing for a number of snaps on her holiday. Taking to Instagram, the former Brookside star shared a picture of herself, Jaxon and Kathleen all smiling for the camera as the posed in front of a Christmas tree.

She then posed solo in front of another gorgeously-decorated Christmas tree and looked fabulous in a long-sleeve off-the-should pink dress which she paired with some silver heels and