Claire Sweeney risks wardrobe malfunction as her bikini top nearly falls off on the beach in Barbados following her split from Ricky Hatton

Claire Sweeney risked a wardrobe malfunction as her bikini top nearly came off while she was on the beach in Barbados.

The former Brookside star, 53, escaped the frosty British weather for the Christmas period and celebrated the New Year in the Caribbean.

The actress looked in good spirits as she frolicked in the water but then gasped as she tried to stop her top from falling off.

Claire sported a light blue two-piece with a leaf print and a white strap while she styled her blonde locks into an updo.

The star also slipped into a matching sheer robe and a pair of sunglasses as she went for a stroll along the sand.

Before she went for a dip, Claire cut a casual figure in a white vest and blue leggings as she relaxed on a beach chair with a cup of coffee.

Claire's Caribbean holiday comes just weeks after she split from boyfriend Ricky Hatton after eight months of dating.  

The former couple dated in secret after starring on ITV's Dancing On Ice and enjoy a Tenerife holiday in May.

But since their summer getaway, the boxer and former Brookside actress have parted ways – months after Claire spoke about how they bonded over humour and their joint love of TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

The pair were last pictured together on November 13 in Manchester while attending the musical version of the hit sitcom, which is currently on a UK tour.

But speaking about the split at The Devil Wears Prada premiere, Claire told MailOnline: 'I'm great - we're still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we're friends again. It's all good!'

Coronation Street actress Claire previously explained she and Ricky had known each other for 25 years before sparks flew between them while the boxing champion said it was 'nice' they were able to connect following the end of their respective relationships.

Claire had been single following her separation from ex-Daniel Reilly, with whom she shares son Jaxon, in 2017, and Ricky, who has three children, was a free agent after his romance with beautician Angela Blemmings ended two years ago.

A source told MailOnline: 'Claire and Ricky remain good friends, there has been no fallout between them.

'They decided they're better off as pals and are no longer romantically together.

'They enjoyed their time as a couple and have plenty of shared interests, but their lifestyles are very different.

'While Claire is one of the biggest stars on Coronation Street and is very career-gliding, Ricky's more freewheeling and unpredictable.

'Ricky is already packing his bags for a getaway to Tenerife, where he feels more at home. Meanwhile, Claire's putting her heart and soul into her career, leaving romance behind.

'She has been consoled by celebrity friends and fellow cast members.'

Claire spoke about how she and Ricky found a romantic connection following 25 years of friendship during an appearance on Lorraine in July.

She said: 'We always passed each other at events, we did a TV show together, first of all I met him in La Manga in the early 2000s and then we did dance for Comic Relief together in 2013 and then met on Dancing On Ice. It's been great.'

MailOnline has approached Ricky and Claire's representatives for comment.

Ricky said he found love with Claire when he least expected it while taking part on last year's Dancing On Ice.

The welterweight boxer explained: 'I didn't go on Dancing On Ice to find romance, I just went in hoping I wouldn't break my f***ing neck.

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

'We ended up both training in Altrincham, Claire's on Coronation Street and she's from Liverpool so we used to train at the same time.

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