Claire Sweeney showed remarkable resilience as she shared a playful video on her Instagram Story this Wednesday, nearly two months since the passing of her former partner, Ricky Hatton.

The 54-year-old actress, known for her role in “Brookside,” recounted a relatable mishap to her followers: she had inadvertently sent her AirPods through a full 60-minute cotton wash cycle. To her astonishment, the earbuds emerged unscathed and fully functional.

In the video, Claire humorously narrated her ordeal, saying, “I’ve been searching high and low in my flat for my ear pods. I just finished a load of laundry and, believe it or not, they were right there in the washing machine.” Her expression was a mix of disbelief and amusement as she continued, “They went through a full cycle, and guess what? Still working!”

Her surprise was palpable as she marveled at the durability of her gadgets, exclaiming, “I can’t believe it, my AirPods are still working after a full hour-long cycle in the machine. I’m so thrilled!”

Claire added a touch of humor to the story by describing her frantic search around her flat. Using the “Find My” feature on her phone, she had been scouring her home for the missing AirPods, only to be consistently led back to the kitchen—where they were spinning in the wash all along.

‘I’ve been going round the flat with like, you know, when you put the Find My on your phone, and going all around the flat looking for their location, (and it) kept taking me into my kitchen. 

Claire Sweeney put on a brave face as she posted a lighthearted video to her Instagram Story on Wednesday, almost two months on from the death of her former partner Ricky Hatton

Claire and Ricky dated for several months in 2024, starting after they competed on ITV ‘s Dancing On Ice, but remained friends after ending their romance

Appearing lost for words, she added: ‘And I was like, I’ve searched high and low… in the bloody washing machine.’ 

It comes a month after Claire shared a picture of her late ex-boyfriend Ricky as she paid tribute to him on his 47th birthday. 

She posted a picture of the boxer on Instagram, simply writing: ‘Happy birthday’ along with a prayer and a heart emoji. 

Former world welterweight champion Ricky was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on September 14 by his close friend and manager, Paul Speak. 

Claire and Ricky dated for several months in 2024, starting after they competed on ITV’s Dancing On Ice, but remained friends after ending their romance. 

But it’s clear that he’s never far from her thoughts because last month, Claire mentioned Ricky on Instagram while enjoying a shopping trip with her son Jaxon, 13.

They were both enthralled with an Only Fools And Horses toy which features a Del Boy figurine falling through the bar, mimicking the iconic scene which first aired in 1989 and was played by David Jason. 

‘Ricky would love that,’ Claire said. 

And the former Brookside actress, 54, put on a brave face on Wednesday as she revealed to her followers that she had accidentally put her AirPods through a 60-minute cotton wash – and they were miraculously still working

She told her followers: ‘I’ve been searching high and low in my flat for my ear pods, right, I’ve just got my washing out of the machine, done a whole load of washing – and they were in the washing machine’

Looking sheepishly towards the camera, she continued: ‘And they’ve gone through a full cycle on the machine, and guess what? Still working!’

She added: ‘I can’t believe it, my AirPods are still working after a full hour-long cycle in the machine. I just can’t believe it, I’m so thrilled!’

It comes a month after Claire shared a picture of her late ex-boyfriend Ricky as she paid tribute to him on his 47th birthday 

Ricky had been vocal about his mental health battles during his three-year retirement in 2009 (pictured in 2001)

The much-loved boxer died just three months before he was due to make his professional comeback in Dubai. 

His death is not being treated as suspicious, and his funeral was held at Manchester Cathedral on October 10. 

Claire paid tribute to Ricky a few days after his death.

Sharing a video montage of him to the soundtrack of Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream, the actress wrote: ‘I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky.’

‘My thoughts are with his family especially his children Campbell, Millie Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter,’ Claire wrote.

‘To them, Speaky 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.’