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TORVILL AND DEAN - Nottingham's own!

Who could forget this opening gamble? How many copycat ideas since? Truly the status of 'iconic' belongs here! Thanks to ozy.com for a glorious tribute page and image

2019 celebrates 35 years of the never-beaten Sarajevo score of '6s' across the board!

2021 - Ice to see you back! Torvill and Dean skate in the wild for the first time and recreate their Olympic-winning 'Bolero'

Almost four decades ago they unveiled their Bolero to the world at the Winter Olympics. But Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean had always harboured a dream of performing in a more remote arena – the wilderness. The gold-medal winning duo have now made that wish come true by recreating the iconic dance on a frozen lake in Alaska (above)' - strapline as it appeared in the Daily Mail - image © of ITV

By Izzy Ferris for the Daily Mail | Published: 1st January 2021 | Updated: 2nd January 2021

Almost four decades ago they unveiled their Bolero to the world at the Winter Olympics.

But Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean had always harboured a dream of performing in a more remote arena – the wilderness. The gold-medal winning duo have now made that wish come true by recreating the iconic dance on a frozen lake in Alaska. It was filmed for last night's ITV documentary Dancing On Thin Ice, in which the pair investigated the impact of climate change on the region. All the while, they were looking for the perfect place to wild skate and perform a special version of the routine that won them gold – and perfect scores – at the 1984 games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Racing against the elements, they eventually found a perfect lake that hadn't yet thawed too much, and the film crew set about moving several

Miss Torvill, 63, and Dean, 62, then recreated the famous dance, though some of the more daring moves were taken out. And they were unable to wear their purple chiffon Renaissance-inspired costumes in minus 25C (minus 13F) cold, but the duo compromised with indigo jumpers. Miss Torvill said: 'It's always been a dream for Chris and I to be able to skate the Bolero outside on a frozen lake in beautiful surroundings.' After completing the routine she joked she was 'out of breath'. Dean said that he was 'humbled' to have been able to do the dance in the 'wilderness' alongside his skating partner of more than 45 years. 'That was once in a lifetime, so inspiring, so at one with nature,' he said. 'To be here in the wilderness with my best friend… it's been quite the journey.' Dean has previously said that skating in the wild had long been a dream of his – inspired by a mural on the ceiling of his boyhood training rink in Nottingham. He told the Daily Mail's Weekend magazine: 'There were skaters and mountains in the background ... I still remember how atmospheric it was ... I was transfixed by the people on the ice, like they were flying.'

More than 24million Britons watched in 1984 as the pair were awarded nine sixes for Bolero. Ravel's music had been deemed too long for their routine, but they got round the rules by kneeling and swaying on the ice for the opening bars.

Winter 2020 - Highlighting the plight of the Planet

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean prepare to dance to the Bolero on a frozen mountain lake in Alaska - 'Dancing on Thin Ice' - ITV commissions the show - image and strapline sourced from itv.com

Going for gold: At the Sarajevo Olympics Walking in the air: Torvill and Dean perform on the Alaskan lake in purple jumpers, a reference to their original costumes

Almost four decades ago they unveiled their Bolero to the world at the Winter Olympics.

But Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean had always harboured a dream of performing in a more remote arena – the wilderness. The gold-medal winning duo have now made that wish come true by recreating the iconic dance on a frozen lake in Alaska. It was filmed for last night's ITV documentary Dancing On Thin Ice, in which the pair investigated the impact of climate change on the region. All the while, they were looking for the perfect place to wild skate and perform a special version of the routine that won them gold – and perfect scores – at the 1984 games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Racing against the elements, they eventually found a perfect lake that hadn't yet thawed too much, and the film crew set about moving several feet of snow with ploughs and shovels and smoothing the surface. Miss Torvill, 63, and Dean, 62, then recreated the famous dance, though some of the more daring moves were taken out.

And they were unable to wear their purple chiffon Renaissance- inspired costumes in minus 25C (minus 13F) cold, but the duo compromised with indigo jumpers. Miss Torvill said: 'It's always been a dream for Chris and I to be able to skate the Bolero outside on a frozen lake in beautiful surroundings.' After completing the routine she joked she was 'out of breath'. Dean said that he was 'humbled' to have been able to do the dance in the 'wilderness' alongside his skating partner of more than 45 years. 'That was once in a lifetime, so inspiring, so at one with nature,' he said. ' To be here in the wilderness with my best friend… it's been quite the journey.'

Dean has previously said that skating in the wild had long been a dream of his – inspired by a mural on the ceiling of his boyhood training rink in Nottingham. He told the Daily Mail's Weekend magazine: 'There were skaters and mountains in the background ... . I still remember how atmospheric it was ... I was transfixed by the people on the ice, like they were flying.'

More than 24million Britons watched in 1984 as the pair were e awarded nine sixes for Bolero. Ravel's music had been deemed too long for their routine, but they got round the rules by kneeling and swaying on the ice for the opening bars. : Source Pressreader

Watch a reduced video of the performance on You Tube here or view the Daily Mail reduced performance on MP4 here

Is this the Mural? Perhaps not as it is not on the ceiling! Nor is it at the Nottingham Ice Stadium! It's the Dundonald Ice Bowl!

You Tube provides us with these excellent images (screen short) of Torvill and Dean practicing (and sharing the ice with members of the public) at the Nottingham Ice Stadium in 1976 recreated at the Dundonald Ice Bowl for the television biopic screened in 2018

In case you had not spotted the Torvill and Dean stand-ins, I have circled them (in red) - see the full You Tube recording here

Some more if the mural (You Tube kindly shifting the angle to give us a better look) and it does seem to support Christopher's comment ( 'There were skaters and mountains in the background ... . I still remember how atmospheric it was ... I was transfixed by the people on the ice, like they were flying.') but it is definitely not on the ceiling or a mural - it's a wrap-around panorama which shows the shows designers good imagination. Having never stared at the ceiling myself (when I was a child we were there most Saturdays) I can't believe that the lighting gantry would make way for artwork .....

2020 - ITV commissions 'Dancing on Thin Ice' with Torvill & Dean

Published: Wednesday 11th November 2020

ITV today announces the commission of brand new documentary 'Dancing on Thin Ice with Torvill & Dean', produced by Wingspan Productions. This unique 1 x 90' film will be a highlight of this year's festive schedule, as Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean travel to Alaska on an extraordinary quest to fulfil a life-long dream that also provides a first-hand insight into the effects of climate change.

The Olympic champions have spent a remarkable 45 years on the ice together – but astonishingly they've never skated in the great outdoors. Jayne and Chris recall how as children they were inspired by a mural in Nottingham ice rink showing skaters on a frozen mountain lake. Ever since, they've wanted to skate free in nature, rather than around in circles on artificial ice. Now they're heading to Alaska to make that dream come true. But luck is against them – in Alaska's hottest year on record there is not a lot of ice to be found. The effects of global warming on the environment are already being felt. So Jayne and Chris's travels into the remote wilderness will become a hunt for wild ice, skating wherever they can, as they seek to find the perfect place to dance a special Bolero. From train to husky sled, from frozen lakes to glaciers, it will be a spectacular journey. The film is narrated by Stephen Fry, executive produced by Archie Baron for Wingspan Productions, directed by Emma Frank, produced by Helena Braun and commissioned for ITV by Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual and Sue Murphy, Head of Factual Entertainment. Jo said: "We're delighted to be bringing this festive treat to ITV viewers this winter. Jayne and Chris are genuine skating icons and in pursuit of a dream that inspired their careers. In this film they will be searching wild Alaska for the perfect ice-skating setting - in a world where the ice is rapidly disappearing. With breathtaking scenery and their usual exquisite attention to detail, their unique performance is not to be missed."

Jayne said: "I've always dreamed of being out in nature, skating outside and this was the most perfect opportunity to achieve that, whilst also seeing the reality of climate change with our own eyes." Chris said: "This is an extraordinary chance for us to skate out in the open with no constraints or the barriers of a rink. To discover how quickly the ice is disappearing is truly devastating. We hope it will be a reminder not to take our precious planet for granted." Archie said: "We're so proud of this hugely joyful and entertaining documentary, which highlights one of the most pressing issues of our times in a unique and beautiful way." Viewers inspired by the show to reduce their own impact on the environment will be encouraged to go online to a bespoke ITV website for tips on how to measure and reduce their carbon footprints. Details will be shown on air during the broadcast.

Note to Editors: Wingspan's production for Dancing on Thin Ice received the highest possible BAFTA 'Albert' environmental certification grading, 3 stars. ITV announced earlier this year its pledge to reduce ITV carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2030

'They jumped at the chance!' Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to front new climate change show 'Dancing On Thin Ice' after filming in remote Alaska

By Raven Saunt For Mailonline |Published: 10th May 2020 | Updated: 10th May 2020

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have reportedly bagged their own climate change show titled Dancing On Thin Ice. The Olympic medalists are set to head to remote Alaska to see how rising temperatures are affecting skating communities. A source told The Sun: 'Torvill and Dean jumped at the chance to do this new show for ITV. 'They are both passionate about trying to reverse climate change and it's a story, and message, that they can bring to the 13 million viewers who tune into Dancing On Ice. 'The show has already been filmed and follows the skating champions as they visit towns in Alaska to see how big ice skating is in the communities out there and how the environment stands to affect them as the world warms up.'

The series is set to air on ITV later this year. It comes after the pair dismissed the idea that Dancing On Ice is 'cursed' amid the numerous romances and break-ups sparked between the skaters. The Olympians played down the idea that the ITV show is responsible for the breakdown of several relationships, similar to the 'Strictly curse', and instead suggested that the ice rink is the ideal place to find love. Jayne, 62, and Christopher, 61, told how the romances formed is a 'good thing' and that it's inevitable that celebs and their partners grow close due to how closely they work together for months on end. Discussing the on ice passion, Christopher explained to The Sun: 'Romance on ice happens because you get into this bubble and it's very close, tactile and, more than anything, there is trust that has to go into the celebrity-pro partnerships.' He continued: 'On Dancing On Ice we've had a lot of partnerships that have come together and people that have stayed together — and a lot of babies — on both the production and cast side.' Meanwhile, Jayne further shut down the curse association as she added: 'It's a good thing so it's not a curse on the Dancing On Ice side.'

2019 - First Same-Sex Coupling on 'Dancing on Ice'

It takes these two innovators (Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean) to champion a cause even 'Strictly' has not yet dared to dip a toe into these waters, although the year of Covid-19 (2020) sees them taking the plunge despite an early exit of the partnership when one of them presented with symptoms.

'Dancing On Ice' is making UK TV history with a same-sex pair in the competition. Ian 'H' Watkins from Steps has teamed up with professional skater Matt Evers to become the first same-sex duo to take part in a dance competition on British TV.

'Dancing On Ice' : First same-sex couple don't want to 'be part of a circus'

By Nesta McGregor |Newsbeat reporter | Published | 2nd January 2020

Dancing On Ice's first same-sex couple have told Newsbeat they "don't want to stand-out" or be "part of a circus". Steps singer Ian "H" Watkins has teamed up with professional skater Matt Evers in the latest series of the ITV show. "For me, growing up I never had any visibility like this, nobody I could look up to," says H who publicly came out in 2007. It's the first time a same-sex couple have been paired together on a competitive reality TV show in the UK. The list of celebrities taking part in Dancing On Ice includes Love Island's Maura Higgins, former footballer Kevin Kilbane and Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg. They will all be judged on their moves by a panel including Olympic gold medallists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean and new judge John Barrowman.

The Welsh singer says ITV producers were "fully supportive" about his initial request to be paired with another man. "I've auditioned for the show twice before and for one reason or another I couldn't do it but the stars aligned this time." American pro-skater Matt Evers - the only regular still on the show since it launched in 2006 - says he's surprised it's taken so long for the show to feature a same-sex couple. "This is for somebody like me, when I was nine. I was lost, lonely and felt like I had nowhere to turn. "Let's bring it out in the open. Growing up watching TV I didn't have many - if any - role models. It's nice to finally see this in the mainstream. "I'm really proud and happy that [ITV] has chosen to do this and has chosen me of all people."

'Difficulties of dancing with another man'

While both Matt and H are happy to be part of an historic TV moment - it does come with its own unique challenges. "Coming into it, I wasn't quite sure what the difficulties were going to be - the only thing we have found is in a certain lift," says Matt. "He rolls up over my shoulder and then goes into like a crucifix position and, let's just say, where I am supposed to put my hands - his anatomy gets in the way. "Anatomy that a female may not have. That's the only thing that's been different."

Matt and Ian performing to 'Fever'! performed by Michael Bublé - image sourced from tellymix

Although Dancing On Ice is the first to feature a same-sex pairing, there has been speculation that Strictly Come Dancing will do the same next year. In August, the BBC said it was "completely open" to it "should the opportunity arise". And in November, the show featured it's first same-sex dance routine. Strictly star Johannes Radebe said he felt liberated for the first time in his life after performing with fellow professional Graziano di Prima. While some viewers praised the move and said the routine moved them to tears, the BBC received around 200 complaints. H says he knew that Dancing on Ice making the move "would be a big deal, it has to be a big deal - for it not to be a big deal. "Once this is out of the way hopefully they'll do it again next year and nobody will blink an eye."

'Dancing on Ice judges' Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean says show's first same-sex couple "have a responsibility"

Ian 'H from Steps' Watkins and Matt Evers will make history in the UK by being the first same-sex couple to compete together

By Kimberley Bond | Wednesday, 18th December 2019

As well as John Barrowman joining the show following the departure of Jason Gardiner and a special Christmas launch show, the show will be making history as Ian 'H from Steps' Watkins and Matt Evers as the first same-sex couple to be competing – a change Evers has said he has wanted "for years".

l to r Ian Watkins with professional partner Matt Evers - image sourced from the BBC © Getty

The inclusion of a same-sex couple sees Dancing on Ice beat its BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing to the punch. But while head judges and Olympic legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean said they were "excited" to be the first show to integrate same-sex couples, they added that Watkins and Evers have a lot riding on their shoulders due to their partnership. Speaking at the Dancing on Ice press day to RadioTimes.com and other journalists, Dean explained: "They have a responsibility as I think a lot of people will be watching them. "I'm really fascinated to see how they treat the partnership, and what they do with it."

The pair, who won Gold in the 1984 Olympics, added that a same-sex partnership would be "unheard of" in the ice-skating world, with Torvill adding: "I think if it became a thing, they would have to create a separate competition." Having originally been choreographers on the show, and head judges for the past two series, the pair also added they were mindful of how they spoke to the contestants. "It's everyday talking to people. Everyone measures what they say. That's etiquette," Dean said. "I don't think we try to be nice [but] it's very PC now. It's more difficult."

Dancing on Ice's Christmas Show airs 22nd December at 7pm on ITV – the series launches on 5th January 2020

Was this idea always well-received by the BBC - NO!

'Dancing on Ice's' Ian 'H' Watkins claims the BBC wouldn't let him be in a same-sex couple

The Steps singer claims he requested to be in a same-sex pairing when participating in the BBC's Tumble back in 2014

Ian 'H from Steps' Watkins and Matt Evers are the trailblazers - image sourced from the BBC © Getty

By Kimberley Bond | Sunday, 26th January 2020

It's a series of firsts for the 12th edition of Dancing on Ice – it's the first time the show has been honoured with its very own Christmas special, it's the first time John Barrowman has been a judge on Dancing on Ice, and it's the first time the show has seen a same-sex couple compete as a pair. Ian 'H from Steps' Watkins and Matt Evers are the trailblazers in being the first same-sex pairing to compete on UK television, in a move that has seen Dancing on Ice beat its closest BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing. While Evers has been wanting to have a male skating partner for years, Watkins has also been keen to show same-sex partnerships, reportedly having requested a male partner when he took part on BBC's celebrity gymnastics competition Tumble.

However, according to 43-year-old Watkins, the BBC were not willing to oblige to his request. Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other journalists at the Dancing on Ice press launch, he explained: "This is so important to me. I did Tumble several years ago, and I asked the BBC for a same-sex partner then. They said, no, this is not BBC." Watkins was eager to be in a same-sex couple for Dancing on Ice, adding he was discussing the move with producers after he signed up for the show.

"When I first suggested this back in the summer, there were conversations that were had, we went back and forth, then I got the green light, and I cried," he said. "It's been quite an emotional journey. "It shows how far we've come as people, and do you know what, let's change the world. If we're the ones to make a noise about it, let's do it. So next time, it won't be an issue." Watkins' comments come after head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean said the pair have a "responsibility" to get their partnership right. "I think a lot of people will be watching them," Dean said. "I'm really fascinated to see how they treat the partnership, and what they do with it."

The BBC declined to comment on Watkins' claims when approached by RadioTimes.com. Dancing on Ice launches Sunday 5th January on ITV

On a happier note :

Images sourced from : Twitter © popnolly.com

Christmas 2018

The Radio Times 'must watch' choice for Christmas 2018 includes and exhorts us to watch the Torvill & Dean biopic - one of their better choices! Image and dialogue sourced from The Radio Times 1-7 December 2018 issue

Confirmation that the original footage will be screened to conclude the television biopic - Daily Mail dated 12th December 2018

Producers of new Torvill and Dean biopic decide against actors recreating 'Bolero' that won them an Olympic Gold because 'no one can do it like them'

By Susie Coen Tv And Radio Reporter For The Daily Mail |Published: 11th December 2018 | Updated: 12th December 2018

It was the enchanting routine which won them a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics. But creators of a TV film charting the lives of ice skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have claimed it would have been wrong to try to re-enact their stirring Bolero performance. More than 24million people watched the pair awarded nine sixes for artistic impression during the 1984 games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The end of the ITV film, which will be shown on Christmas Day at 9.15pm and stars Poppy Lee Friar and Will Tudor as Torvill and Dean, cuts to a montage of the real performance rather than recreating it.

'We hope people don't feel robbed', producer Emily Dalton said. Speaking at a screening of the biopic, which explores the intense relationship between the pair, she said she and the writer 'both felt it was the right thing to do to let Chris and Jayne have that. 'No one can do it like them. They are simply the best ice dancers that ever lived.' Writer William Ivory added: 'When I first wrote it I think we did have a sequence where we were intercutting and that made it even worse – it was like Frank Sinatra singing live and then karaoke.' Neither Tudor, 31, nor Miss Lee Friar, 23, were able to skate before accepting the role. To help the actors prepare, the duo had a 'really interesting' FaceTime conversation with the athletes. Tudor said: 'What was great was how even though they're on separate lines they were still finishing each other's sentences in completely different countries.' Source : Daily Mail

Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill's Olympic gold-winning 'Bolero' ice-skating routine is recreated for upcoming drama

By Jabeen Waheed For Mailonline |Published: 11th December 2018 | Updated: 11th December 2018

24 million viewers tuned into watch their iconic Bolero routine during the 1984 Winter Olympics. And Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill's gold medal winning performance at the Sarajevo Games is set to be recreated for an upcoming ITV drama. Will Tudor, 31, and Poppy Lee Friar, 23, are taking on the roles of the ice-skating legends on the two-hour ITV biopic, Torvill & Dean, which will explore the relationship between the pair at the height of their success. They have enjoyed 30 years in the spotlight as one of the most popular ice skating duos ever - and the pair's sensational skills also earned them an Olympic gold for Great Britain in Sarajevo, Bosnia, in 1984.

'Lifelong friendship that came through our sport': Torvill, 60, and Dean, 59, have admitted that they are 'honoured' by the film and 'happy to share their passion for skating' - image courtesy & © of Peter Brooker/REX/Shutterstock via the Daily Mail

While they are both in separate relationships – Christopher with Karen Barber and Jayne with her husband of 27 years, Phil Christensen – the pair have previously admitted to being romantically involved once before when they were both single. And the new biopic, which will air on Christmas Day, is said to focus on the 40-year relationship between Torvill and Dean - both professional and personally. According to ITV, the venture will also 'explore how Chris and Jayne clashed' during the development of the award-winning routines. With their life story hitting TV screens soon, Torvill, 60, and Dean, 59, have admitted that they are 'honoured' by the film and 'happy to share their passion for skating, the lifelong friendship that came through our sport, and everything that it took to achieve our eventual goal of becoming Olympic champions.' Anita Dobson, Jamie Winstone and Stephen Tompkinson will also star in the film, which is written by William Ivory (Made In Dagenham). William admits: 'Chris and Jayne are fascinating. Athletes with all the grit and determination that entails, but real artists, too, engaging in deeply felt creative and emotional battles.'

Meanwhile, executive producer Emily Dalton reveals: 'They are iconic but also enigmatic. We've all speculated about their relationship off the ice. 'Viewers will be moved and surprised by [their] heartbreaking and backbreaking journey.' In 2006, Torvill and Dean began choreographing routines for ITV's Dancing On Ice and served as judges on the show earlier this year. Source (and for more pictures) : Daily Mail

When is ice-skating biopic Torvill and Dean coming to TV?

The story of British ice dance stars Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's journey to Winter Olympic gold is set to be a one-off biopic on ITV

By Eleanor Bley Griffiths |Tuesday, 4th December 2018 at 3:30 pm

Poppy Lee Friar and Will Tudor will step into the shoes (or skates) of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean for ITV's new feature-length biopic about the Olympic champion figure skaters. The drama will tell the story of Torvill and Dean in the early years of their partnership. Here's everything you need to know…

When is Torvill and Dean on TV?

CONFIRMED air date: Torvill and Dean will air on Christmas Day (Tuesday 25th December) at 9.15pm on ITV. It is a two-hour special.
What is Torvill and Dean about? Written by Made in Dagenham's William Ivory, Torvill and Dean traces the early story of the figure skaters who captured the public's imagination with their stunning gold medal-winning dance to Boléro at the 1984 Winter Olympics. ITV has promised "a single film narrating Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's early years and the creative impetus that finally drove them to become ice dancing royalty." The broadcaster continued:"We'll learn about their humble beginnings and family life in Nottingham; how Chris, following the breakup of his parents' marriage, channelled his anger into skating and how Jayne, was outwardly reserved, and determined to explore her inwardly passionate nature. "We explore how Chris and Jayne clashed as they separately and together tried to establish a new language for ice dance – one which won gold medals but also spoke to their private, intense relationship."

Who will star as Torvill and Dean?

Game of Thrones actor Will Tudor will take on the role of Christopher Dean, while Ackley Bridge's Poppy Lee Friar will play Jayne Torvill. EastEnders star Anita Dobson will take on the role of Miss Perry, Jayne's first coach at the Nottingham Ice Stadium, with Stephen Tompkinson and Jo Hartley as Jayne's father George and mum Betty. Stepping in as Chris's parents Colin and Mavis are Dean Andrews and Christine Bottomley, while Jaime Winstone will star as Janet Sawbridge – the ice dancing instructor who pairs Chris and Jayne together for the first time. Susan Earl takes the role of Betty Dean. British Olympic ice skaters Nick Buckland and Penny Coomes joined the cast as stunt doubles, and also served as consultants and mentors.

Is this Torvill and Dean's real-life story?

Yes, and the feature-length drama has been created with the help of Jayne Torvill and Chris Dean themselves. The two of them spent many hours being interviewed by screenwriter William Ivory, who was also "born and bred" in Nottingham. The two said in a joint statement: "We feel very honoured that ITV have commissioned this film based on what was a very significant period in each of our lives. "We have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent with William Ivory and the team at Darlow Smithson sharing experiences of our passion for skating, the life long friendship that came through our sport and everything that it took to achieve our eventual goal of becoming Olympic champions." Writer William Ivory said: "It's been such a privilege to work on this piece. Chris and Jayne are such fascinating characters: sports people and athletes with all the grit and determination that entails, but real artists, too, engaging in deeply felt creative and emotional battles."

Game of Thrones actor Will Tudor to star in ITV's Torvill and Dean drama

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's rise to Olympic figure skating glory is to be retold in a one-off ITV drama. Will Tudor, from Game of Thrones and Humans, will play Dean, while Ackley Bridge's Poppy Lee Friar plays Torvill. The two-hour drama will show the duo's early years leading up to their gold medal in the 1984 Winter Olympics.

"We feel very honoured that ITV have commissioned this film based on what was a very significant period in each of our lives," Torvill and Dean said. The pair, who are both from Nottingham, claimed Olympic glory in Sarajevo with their famous performance to Ravel's Bolero. According to ITV, the drama will tell of "the creative impetus that finally drove them to become ice dancing royalty". It will also tell of their "humble beginnings", their clash of temperaments and how they "together tried to establish a new language for ice dance". Anita Dobson, Stephen Tompkinson and Jaime Winstone will also appear in the drama, to be written by William Ivory.

Ivory, whose credits include 2010 film Made in Dagenham, said Torvill and Dean were "real artists... engaging in deeply felt creative and emotional battles". The writer spent many hours talking to his subjects, who said they had "thoroughly enjoyed... sharing experiences of our passion for skating, the life-long friendship that came through our sport and everything that it took to achieve our eventual goal of becoming Olympic champions". Gillies MacKinnon, whose films include Hideous Kinky and last year's Whisky Galore remake, will direct the drama, which will begin filming later this month (July 2018).

Torvill and Dean officially retired in 1998 and now act as coaches on ITV's Dancing On Ice. Source : BBC

"Who we are, at our core, that's what we put on the ice"

ITV's Head of Drama Polly Hill today confirmed commission of Torvill and Dean, a single film narrating Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's early years and the creative impetus that finally drove them to become ice dancing royalty. Written by leading film, television and theatre writer, William Ivory (Made in Dagenham, Burton and Taylor, Common as Muck), Torvill and Dean (1 x 120) tells the story of Jayne and Chris's iconic partnership from both a personal and artistic perspective. Game of Thrones actor, Will Tudor (Humans, Shadowhunters, Mr Selfridge) will take the role of Christopher Dean, and Poppy Lee Friar (Ackley Bridge, Eve, In the Club) will play Jayne Torvill. Acting royalty, Anita Dobson (The Rebel, Call the Midwife, EastEnders) will take the role of Miss Perry, Jayne's first coach at the Nottingham Ice Stadium, with Stephen Tompkinson (The Split, Trollied, DCI Banks) as Jayne's father, George, whilst Jo Hartley (Bliss, Access All Areas, This Is England '90) plays her mum Betty. Dean Andrews (The Moorside, Last Tango in Halifax, Silent Witness) and Christine Bottomley (Fearless, In the Club,Cucumber) will play Chris's parents, Colin and Mavis, and Jaime Winstone (Babs, Ellen, After Hours) is Janet Sawbridge, the ice dancing instructor who pairs Chris and Jayne together for the first time. Susan Earl (So Awkward, I Want My Wife Back, Reggie Perrin) takes the role of Betty Dean.

We'll learn about their humble beginnings and family life in Nottingham; how Chris, following the breakup of his parents' marriage, channelled his anger into skating and how Jayne, was outwardly reserved, and determined to explore her inwardly passionate nature. We explore how Chris and Jayne clashed as they separately and together tried to establish a new language for ice dance – one which won gold medals but also spoke to their private, intense relationship. The drama will be produced by leading television production company, Darlow Smithson, who have achieved widespread recognition for producing landmark real life scripted dramas such as Dave Allen at Peace, We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story and The Mill. Both Jayne and Chris have spent many hours being interviewed by screenwriter, William Ivory, who was also born and bred in Nottingham and is a passionate advocate of the region. Commented Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean: "We feel very honoured that ITV have commissioned this film based on what was a very significant period in each of our lives. We have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent with William Ivory and the team at Darlow Smithson sharing experiences of our passion for skating, the life long friendship that came through our sport and everything that it took to achieve our eventual goal of becoming Olympic champions."

Writer William Ivory said: "It's been such a privilege to work on this piece. Chris and Jayne are such fascinating characters: sports people and athletes with all the grit and determination that entails, but real artists, too, engaging in deeply felt creative and emotional battles." Commented ITV's Head of Drama Polly Hill: "Torvill and Dean captures the emotional intensity of Jayne and Chris's relationship from those early years as they endeavoured to create a world renowned ice dancing partnership. Their story to success is inspirational and I'm delighted we're telling it on ITV. It's a joy to be working with William Ivory, who is bringing this wonderful story to screen." Torvill and Dean will be produced for ITV and Darlow Smithson by Emma Burge (Shameless, The Village, Coming Up) and executive produced by the company's Joint Managing Director and Creative Director, Emily Dalton (Dave Allen at Peace, We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story, The Mill) together with writer William Ivory. Commented Executive Producer, Emily Dalton: "24 million people in Britain watched Chris and Jayne win gold with Bolero in 1984. They are iconic but also enigmatic: we've all speculated about their relationship off the ice. I think viewers will be moved and surprised by the heart-breaking - and backbreaking- journey they've been on together. We're really grateful to them for sharing it with us, and to William Ivory for capturing it and crafting it so beautifully." Torvill and Dean will be directed by Gillies MacKinnon (Hideous Kinky, Small Faces) and filming is due to commence later this month (July 2018). Northern Ireland Screen are co-production partners with Darlow Smithson on Torvill and Dean. International distribution will be handled by Endemol Shine International. Source : ITV Press Release

March 2018 - The BioPic is announced!

The BioPic of this extraordinary couple is announced in the Radio Times in March 2018

1984 - Olympic Champions - Sarajevo

Always modest in their achievements on ice - Olympians Torvill and Dean - image courtesy of Olympic.org the official website of the Olympic Movement

Image courtesy of Getty showing Jane and Chris performing the Paso Doble against an Olympic background.

I have to say I always preferred the short programme of the Paso Doble which gave us three repeats of some fascinating and innovative ice dance moves - all completely original and not seen before. I also did not want this to get swamped in the more famous 'Bolero' accolade on this page - there were three sections that contributed to the historic scores which gave them the gold medal.

Image courtesy of The Times

Re-visiting the triumph of 1984 in Sarajevo with that unforgettable front cover of the Radio Times in the current edition dated 2nd-8th February 2019 - it seems Nottingham has its own GOATs!

2014 - 30 years later - Sarajevo

The pair celebrated their success in Sarajevo by repeating their triumphant performance in the rebuilt Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch - image courtesy of The Independent

With thanks to Reuters for the remarkable images 30 years on and the Daily Mail for reporting on this phenomenal achievement

From the Daily Mail - 14th February 2014:

Torvill and Dean perform 'Bolero' routine in matching purple costumes from 1984 Olympics... 30 years later

It is 30 years since the world’s most famous ice-skating duo entranced the nation with their gold medal-winning Olympic performance.

But it could have been just yesterday for Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean as they were pictured retracing their steps ahead of their final dance together. On Thursday, the pair revisited the incredible routine that won them perfect scores from the judges.

On Valentine’s Day in 1984, the nation watched as the pair danced and twirled across the ice to Ravel’s Bolero at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics. They may be a little older - and they stuck to their purple but now updated outfits - but the dance was unmistakeable.

The pair will recreate their performance in the Bosnia and Herzegovina capital after accepting an invitation from the Mayors of Sarajevo and East Sarajevo.

They will perform at the Olympic Hall Zetra which has now been renamed the Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch after the former International Olympic Committee President.

The judges gave them 12 perfect scores of 6.0 out of a possible 18, with sixes from all nine judges for artistic impression, something which had never been seen before. It will be yet another climax in a career that began when two young teenagers met at their local Nottingham Arena and started skating together. After years of speculation, Torvill finally admitted that the pair had ‘dabbled’ in romance at one stage of their career.

They have skated together competitively since 1976 and had a successful career before becoming creative directors of ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
As the programme’s final series begins, Dean, 55, who lives in the US, and his partner Torvill, 56, who lives in Surrey with her husband, said they wanted to be remembered as a couple like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Torvill said: ‘We didn’t want to wake up and be told we weren’t wanted. To end on a high is an important personal thing for us. ‘It’s like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - when the movie finishes the enduring image is of them as a couple.’ 

ITV announced that Dancing On Ice will finish nine years after the pair became creative directors and coaches for the programme following the current series.

From the Independent - 14th February 2014

Ice Skating: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won't be retiring anytime soon after celebrating 30th anniversary of famous gold medal

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have no intention of retiring as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of their historic Olympic gold medal this week. The pair marked the landmark with an emotional performance of their legendary Bolero routine in front of 5,000 adoring spectators in Sarajevo on Thursday, the eve of the anniversary.

After an "emotional" night on the ice in the Bosnian capital, Dean revealed the pair plan to continue their partnership for years to come. "We retired once, back in 1998, privately and quietly," he told Press Association Sport. "But then Dancing on Ice came along and I don't think we'll ever retire again. "We've got about four weeks left of Dancing on Ice and then we're going on tour around the country . Then there are a few projects in the air which we're waiting to see if they come to fruition. "We can't say too much about them but fingers crossed. "They aren't necessarily on the ice - but it's definitely not Strictly!"

The pair performed the routine which won them gold on St Valentine's Day 1984 in front of a sold-out Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch, the scene of their greatest triumph. "Gosh, that was emotional," Dean said afterwards. "The reaction of the audience really lifted the spirits and hopefully our performance did the same for them. "Only the actual medal-winning performance can top that in terms of how special it was." "It was emotional but very uplifting," added Torvill. "We feel very glad that we've done it now and we're happy that we saw the audience enjoying themselves." Dean continued: "We owe so much to Sarajevo so to come back here to perform for the first time on this hallowed ground since the gold medal means so much to us. "It's an honour and very humbling because this is where our lives were changed forever. "We had a very short, limited time after the Olympics and thought we would maybe skate for two or three years and do something different. But 30 years on, we're still here and still doing Bolero. "It's been an amazing ride."

The pair performed their routine flawlessly for a delighted audience in the Bosnian capital, resplendent in modernised versions of their famous purple outfits from 1984. As the routine ended the crowd unanimously rose to their feet in applause, holding aloft cards bearing the perfect mark of '6.0' in recognition of their Olympic achievement. Torvill and Dean made history in 1984 when their gold medal success saw them earn full marks from all nine judges, a feat never achieved either before or since, three decades on.

The duo were invited back to the city by the mayors of Sarajevo and East Sarajevo and the performance also acts as the launch of a campaign to build a permanent ice rink in the city ahead of the 2017 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival.

2018 - 'Dancing on Ice' returns

All set to return to 'Dancing on Ice' in 2018 - image © the Press Association

Nice to see the kiosks featuring in the ensemble routine - the four judges are hiding in individual kiosks before making a surprise entrance at the end of the routine - Jayne is in the third kiosk from the left and Chris in the end kiosk on the right.

Despite getting the wrong type of Mini in the finale (they could have borrowed mine) it all looked great!

Chris is reminded of his 'humble beginnings' as a Police Cadet getting up at unearthly hours to practise with Jayne and how it appeared on screen! From the ITV player website

Read what Torvill & Dean think of the re-vamped 2018 version of Dancing on Ice

2017 - Campaign to honour Torvill and Dean

"28th October 1981: Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill, who won the world title four times for ice-skating and were the 1984 Olympic champions, outside Buckingham Palace displaying their OBE (Order Of The British Empire) medals which they have just been awarded. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)"

The above photo is sourced from Getty and I use their wording as it appears on the web-site. However, on the official Torvill and Dean website it states that they both received the "MBE awarded (in) 1981, (and) OBE awarded (in) 2000". It makes sense to assume that the picture above was taken in 2000 where they both look sophisticated and following dress protocols. The pictures that can be sourced for the 1981 presentation are few and far between, Jayne has completely missed the mark with her outfit and can only be found on a BBC website which states they received their OBEs in 1999 - talk about messing with timelines! Other images of the ill-chosen garment in full are available on Alamo and Diomedia and have no place on this page.

MP launches campaign for ice skating greats Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to be knighted

Nottingham South Labour MP Lilian Greenwood has recommended the pair
She is urging people who support the proposal to write to her before selection
The highest-scoring figure skaters of all time have welcomed the nomination

By Charlie Moore for Mailonline | Published: 18th September, 2017 | Updated: 18th September, 2017

An MP has launched a campaign for ice skating greats Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to be knighted. Nottingham South Labour MP Lilian Greenwood has asked the Cabinet Office to consider the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics gold medallists for the honour. She is urging people who support the proposal to write to her so she can forward their letters on to the selection committee before the awards at New Year.
The highest-scoring figure skaters of all time have welcomed the nomination. Torvill told the Nottingham Post: 'It would be very humbling to receive the honour. When we were awarded the MBE and the OBE, we met the Queen and Prince Charles, and you're there with people from all walks of life, and they very much deserve the awards too. 'It would also mean a lot for the people who have put so much work and time into the campaign.

'It's incredible to get that support from so many people. 'I'm blown away by the fact that people are still so driven to campaign, and I'm extremely grateful for all their support.' Dean added: 'We are humbled that we should be considered. It's a long time ago now, but I do remember at the time that the whole nation got behind us, and I remember how wonderful that feeling was.' Lilian Greenwood said: 'Jayne and Chris started from very little to become world-beaters. We are immensely proud of them and their commitment to promoting community engagement and participation in sport.'

Knighted or not, Torvill and Dean will be judges on the next series of Dancing On Ice which airs early next year.

Torvill and Dean should be knighted - and Nottingham is backing the bid

Leading figures from all over the city have come out in favour of the campaign

Nottingham ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have said they are ‘blown away’ by support from across the city as a host of prominent names joined a campaign for them to be knighted. Leaders of several of the city’s leading sporting and cultural institutions have lent their backing to the bid, not only for their prowess in the world of sport, but also for their long-standing charitable work. Now, the campaign needs the support of the whole city. Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood has been a vocal supporter of the cause, and put in the original application to the Cabinet Office, which decides each year who to recommend for peerages. The MP is asking people from all over the city to write to her, so that she can forward the letters to the Cabinet Office to support the application. The pair are best known for their Bolero routine at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Not only did they scoop gold medals for that performance, but they became the highest-scoring figure skaters of all time – receiving 12 perfect 6.0 scores and six 5.9s from judges. Their performance was watched by 24 million people in Britain. They also support several charities, both in Nottingham and across the UK.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's reception Nottingham council house after winning gold in Sarajevo - dialogue & image courtesy & © of the Nottingham Post

Both Chris and Jayne are Nottingham through and through. Chris was a policeman who walked the city's streets and grew up in Calverton, and Jayne, who was born in Clifton, worked in an insurance office in Old Market Square – and they honed their skating skills at what was then known as the Nottingham Ice Stadium. They are both patrons of former boxer Marcellus Baz’s Switch Up charity, based in The Meadows, which helps steer young people away from crime through sport and other activities. For months, calls have been made for the duo, who were awarded the MBE in 1991 and OBE in 2000, to be given the titles Sir and Dame. But now the campaign is gathering momentum as leading voices get behind the drive. They would be the first winter Olympians to receive the honour, despite a host of summer Olympians picking up the gong for their achievements. Speaking to the Post, Jayne said: “It would be very humbling to receive the honour. When we were awarded the MBE and the OBE, we met the Queen and Prince Charles, and you’re there with people from all walks of life, and they very much deserve the awards too. “It would also mean a lot for the people who have put so much work and time into the campaign. “It’s incredible to get that support from so many people. Nottingham will always be our home, and we always enjoy our visits back. “The city has been so good to us. When we first received the grant that allowed us to try for the Olympics, we were very lucky then that Nottingham City Council gave us that. “We had just asked for funding for the next year, but they said we have enough funding to support you for the next four years, which was just a dream come true. “I’m blown away by the fact that people are still so driven to campaign, and I’m extremely grateful for all their support.” Chris also said he was shocked that no winter Olympian had received a knighthood. He said: “We are humbled that we should be considered. It’s a long time ago now, but I do remember at the time that the whole nation got behind us, and I remember how wonderful that feeling was. “When we came home to Nottingham the reception was amazing, they drove us round the city in an open-top car and there were hundreds and hundreds of people there, so more than anything we feel very proud of Nottingham and Nottingham City Council.”

Now, people are being asked to add their voices to the case. People are asked to write their letters of support, including their name and address, to – Lilian Greenwood, First Floor, 12 Regent Street, Nottingham, NG1 5BQ The letters will then be sent to Westminster to add to the high-profile support the peerage campaign has already received. Ted Cantle, chairman of Nottingham Castle Trust, was the chief executive of Nottingham City Council during the National Ice Arena project. He said of the pair’s involvement: “They gave the project real credibility as they could demonstrate why such an investment would succeed, not just for elite sportsmen and women, but as a community resource. “Today, some 16 years after its completion, the Ice Arena continues to support and inspire our athletes and provides the first steps on to the ice for thousands of young people every year." “Both Jayne and Chris were involved in the creation of the National Ice Centre and since the venue opened in 2000 have supported an array of projects and events that have been held here; they always receive a fantastic reception whenever they visit and are clearly loved by the people of Nottingham. Over the last thirty years they have inspired a generation of ice skaters and their legacy will no doubt continue for years to come.” Lilian Greenwood said the pair were synonymous with ice skating. Speaking to the Post, she said: “Jayne and Chris started from very little to become world-beaters. We are immensely proud of them and their commitment to promoting community engagement and participation in sport. At every opportunity they have been passionate advocates for Nottingham. “Nottingham has honoured them and the world has honoured them. Now it is time for the country to honour them. The Nottingham Post’s editor, Mike Sassi, is also fully supporting the campaign. He said: “Local people consider Jayne and Christopher to be two of their own. If they were to be made a Dame and a Sir, Nottingham would celebrate just as it did 33 years ago. “Torvill and Dean have used their legendary status to actively support local good causes, including Nottingham’s Switch Up charity. "As Nottingham Post archives will testify, Torvill and Dean have been fabulous ambassadors for Nottingham. They have also been a creative inspiration for generations of local youngsters."

Local and national charity leaders have also been quick to back the calls for further royal recognition for the Nottingham duo. Dr Tom Pey is the group chief executive at the Royal Society for Blind Children, which the pair support. He said: “I have no hesitation in recommending Jayne and Christopher for the highest award possible. “Great people share their success and inspiration with those who need it most. Over the years, they have supported and inspired blind young people to believe in a better future despite the overwhelming odds. “They are already knights in shining armour for us. I very much hope it becomes a reality for them.” Marcellus Baz, managing director of the Nottingham School of Boxing and Switch Up, said: “It’s unbelievable that Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean haven’t yet received a Damehood or Knighthood - they should absolutely receive a nomination this year. “Both Jayne and Chris have done so much to put Nottingham on the map and continue to devote their time to working with various communities and organisations across the city, including the Nottingham School of Boxing. “As patrons of the school, they regularly give up their precious time and even their personal items so we can continue fundraising." Other cultural figures from across Nottingham have also been keen to support the pair.

Brendan Moffett is the chief executive of Marketing NG, which is the organisation promoting Nottingham’s bid to be the European capital of culture 2023. He said: “Over the past 30 years, they have showcased Nottingham and Nottinghamshire on both a national and international stage. Their legacy lives on and acted as a catalyst for the construction of The National Ice Centre in 2000. Director at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Robert Sanderson, said: “Jayne and Chris are the most successful British skaters ever, and the best known throughout the world. Their legacy has stretched over 30 years and they continue to perform and entertain audiences, 38 years after they first started skating together. “Their legacy in Nottinghamshire is the key to my supporting their nomination. Torvill and Dean have a long association with the Royal Concert Hall having been part of the official opening party for the venue back in 1983, and together, they have continued to be excellent ambassadors for the city, raising the profile of the city across the world." Craig Chettle is the CEO of Confetti Media Group, the executive director of Notts TV and the chairman of Nottingham’s Creative Quarter. He said: “Torvill and Dean are inspirational sporting role models, and throughout their careers have remained great ambassadors for Nottingham. In my view, they are national heroes and an inspiration to millions." Professor Edward Peck, vice chancellor at Nottingham Trent University, said: “I am delighted to support the Post’s campaign for Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to be awarded a damehood and knighthood. “The pair have had great success in their incredible careers, and more recently they have done a great deal of charity work, in particular supporting causes such as Switch Up. Therefore to be recognised by such an honour would be a fitting reward for their significant contributions.”

Ian Curryer is the chief executive of Nottingham City Council, which gave the pair the grant all those years ago. He said: “Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are excellent ambassadors for Nottingham, raising the profile of the city across the world, as representatives of Team GB at Olympic and World Championship competitions. “In addition to these great accolades their continuous charitable work, both locally and nationally, is something to be commended. “Needless to say, Nottingham is enormously proud of these iconic individuals and their achievements. They are truly unique athletes and performers in the world of sport and entertainment." - Source : Nottingham Post

Truly the pride of Nottingham, Torvill and Dean returning to Nottingham after their Sarajevo triumph and I was there, somewhere in the Old Market Square!
Image sourced from and © of Getty - Image Provenance : Torvill and Dean : British ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean welcomed by the fans while travelling on a vehicle escorted by British police, UK, 7th April 1984. (Photo by Towner/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

2016 - 'Panto' in Bristol

Reprising their role as The Fairy Godparents - Jayne and Chris in Bristol - image courtesy of 365bristol.com

Jayne Torvill commented: "This will be our first visit to The Bristol Hippodrome and we are very much looking forward to performing in the city. We’re already working on some brand new choreography which we hope will bring a whole lot more excitement to the wonderful Cinderella story and reworking some old favourites too." Christopher Dean added: "We’re really looking forward to bringing Cinderella to life on skates and spending the festive season in Bristol. We can’t wait for Christmas now!" - Source : 365bristol.com

Torvill and Dean have a ball in Bristol Hippodrome's Frozen-like 'Cinderella' - without the ice

17th December 2016 by Claire Allfree for the Daily Telegraph

Once upon a time, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's routine to Ravel’s Bolero was the stuff of Olympic fairy tale. Now it's the stuff of panto. But, give the Olympian duo their due: they put on a sporting show as Cinders' fairy godparents King Crispin and Queen Juniper in Eric Potts' version of the Charles Perrault rags-to-riches tale in which that iconic number of theirs is a central – and yes, very funny – running gag.

Admittedly, Torvill and Dean these days are rather more stately than they are sprightly, but with the help of custom-made roller skates that mimic blades, they still more than justify their status as top billing – a rare thing in modern panto. In a lavishly styled show that delivers a lot of bang for your buck, they eventually even perform “Bolero”. More surprising is Dean's gentle, rather good comic timing: he keeps trying to get down with the locals by talking Bristolian (there's a lot of “Hello, my luvver”) while his catchphrase “Get your skates on” is wittier on stage than it sounds on paper. - Not the kindest of reviews - read more

In the more familiar purple of the 'Bolero' but this time performed on roller skates - image and kinder review courtesy of bristol247.com

By Martin Booth, Thursday 15th December, 2016

Someone give Christopher Dean honorary Bristol citizenship immediately. Throwing himself into pantomime with gusto, the former Winter Olympics gold medal winning ice skater – here of course with dancing partner Jayne Torvill – may not be known by the youngest in the audience but it matters not one little bit. With his use of phrases from “Cheers, drive” to “Alright my babber”, cheeky asides, insistence on performing Bolero, and finally a showstopping and gravity-defying dance sequence to that famous routine from 1984, he is the undisputed star of Cinderella at the Bristol Hippodrome. Torvill’s dancing may be perfect but her acting abilities are not as strong as her long term partner on the ice.

I wonder if anyone gave any thought to the fact that Robin Cousins could well have coached Chris with the Bristol burr - just a personal observation!

2015 - Debut 'Panto' in Manchester

Launching their debut Panto - image courtesy of Jen Unwin and the Manchester Evening News

Torvill and Dean swap ice skates for rollerblades in 'panto'

The Olympic medal-winning duo will star as the Fairy Godparents in Cinderella at the Opera House this Christmas season.

Legendary ice skating champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are excited to be making their panto debut in Manchester. But the Olympic sporting heroes will be swapping their gold medal-winning ice skates for high-tech rollerblades during their month-long stint in Cinderella this Christmas. The former Dancing On Ice coaches will wow audiences at the Opera House with their amazing dare-devil routines while bringing the story of Cinderella to life. And the duo have hinted that they could revive the iconic Bolero routine that won gold for them in Sarajevo 1984, saying “you might get some purple here and there.” Chris said: “It’s the first time we’ve ever done it but we like a new challenge so doing a panto is going to be really exciting for us.

“For the last decade we’ve been doing Dancing On Ice and that’s always at Christmas time. “So as that’s finished now the opportunity came along to be part of Cinderella, which I think is the classic pantomime. “To be able to be part of it and to do it in a different way - and to be out there on these in-line rollerblades that we’ve worked on before just for the Royal Variety - I think will just add another layer of what the pantomime is about.” The pair play the Fairy Godparents in Cinderella – the first time that Cinders has had a Fairy Godmother and Fairy Godfather – and have already started to prepare for their roles.

“It’s great that we are going to be able to skate and do what we normally do even though we’re not on blades,” said Jayne. Chris added: “It has a very similar quality although stopping is a little bit more difficult so I’m not sure if we’ll end up in the first row sometimes.” Chris, who lives in Colorado, America, says he has had to explain the concept of panto to his teenage sons Jack and Sam. He said: “It is such a British tradition. I spend a lot of time in the states now and they nothing about pantomime. “When you try to explain it they look a bit quizzical and not quite understanding what we’re doing. “Obviously as kids we went to pantomime and have seen lots of pantomimes. And over the years on Dancing On Ice we’ve worked with a lot of people that are in pantomime. “It feels so familiar so now being able to be a part of it we’re really excited.”

Jayne and Chris hope that seeing them in panto may fill the void for Dancing On Ice fans missing the long-running TV show which ended last year. Jayne said: “Hopefully yes. Just going from our Twitter fed there’s a lot of people saying that they are missing it. “Particularly when it came round to that time of year earlier this year and they were saying ‘this time last year Dancing On Ice was on etc.’ “I think people who like to see us perform especially for the real fans it will be opportunity for them to come. I know some people have already got tickets for the pantomime.” Source : Manchester Evening News | Read the Viva interview

Not all the work is in front of an adoring public - here Jayne and Chris prepare for the advert (n front of the green screen) that will be televised to promote the pantomime - image courtesy & © of maniacfilms.com

2015 - Ice Rink on the Estate

Image courtesy of reveal.co.uk - the trio of programmes was not best received! (See the review from the Telegraph here)

2014 - 16th February - 'Desert Island Discs'

Image courtesy and © of the BBC

Kirsty Young's castaways this week are the ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

Image courtesy and © of the BBC

It's 30 years since they enthralled the world winning gold at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. So memorable, it was truly a "where were you when" moment: the answer for most of us seems to have been in front of the television as 24 million people tuned in to watch their purple chiffoned, passionate, pitch-perfect display.

Image courtesy and © of The Daily Express & Reuters

Their enduring partnership is the stuff of sporting legend - British, European, World and Olympic champions - their synchronicity on and off the rink is fascinating. Both brought up in Nottingham, both only children, they took to the ice within a couple of years of each other. Jayne grew up to work as an insurance clerk, Chris was a policeman. They always seemed so normal, so nice, so much like the boy and girl next door. What a neat trick - in reality their originality, training regime and relentless pursuit of perfection has seen them push the boundaries of their chosen sport to rank among the world's elite.

Part of our fascination with them also stems from the long scrutiny over their personal relationship. Never mind that over the decades they've both married other people and had children, as recently as last year they finally admitted to a brief teenage 'dabble'.

They say, "It's an unusual relationship that we have. ... Of course we love each other. You wouldn't be able to do all that we do without love."

Their Playlist: Passenger 'Let Her Go' | Queen 'Killer Queen' | Johann Sebastian Bach 'Suite No. 6 - Sarabande' | Emeli Sandé 'Read All About it' | Maurice Joseph Ravel 'Bolero' | Paul Simon 'Still Crazy after all these Years' | Phil Collins 'In the Air Tonight' | John Lennon 'Imagine' - Book Choice: Jayne: 'Angela's Ashes' - Frank McCourt, Christopher: 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!' - Dr Theodor Seuss - Luxury Choice : Jo Malone moisturiser, Coffee and digestive biscuits

2014 - 28th May - Mass 'Bolero'

Jayne and Chris in front of the Council House in Nottingham enjoying the Nottingham Playhouse initiative.

Nottingham's Tribute to the Nottingham Stars as shown on You Tube - for full background information visit here

Just hanging around .....

Strangely lifeless 'Barnum' (top) and 'Bolero' (below) costumes currently (2018) displayed behind glass - images sourced from Andrew Ludlow

Image courtesy & copyright of familyadventureproject.org - I have to say I find this a faintly disturbing tribute (at the Motorpoint Arena) .....

2012 - Olympic Torch Bearers

The globally famous Torchbearers couldn't resist dancing with their Olympic Torch before passing on the flame - with thanks to the Daily Mail for the image and report - Watch it on You Tube

Even after performing the Ice Dance, Olympians Torvill and Dean were then asked to light the cauldron in the Old Market Square in Nottingham - image courtesy of BBC News

BOA Olympic Legends Launch - Torvill and Dean (with Robin Cousins) take front row centre
Image sourced from and © of Getty - Image Provenance : LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: Team GB 2012 Ambassadors and Olympic legends (L-R) Kriss Akabusi, Dame Mary Peters, Andrian Moorehouse, Tessa Sanderson, Roger Black, Dame Kelly Holmes, Sharron Davies, Sir Steve Redgrave, Robin Cousins, Jayne Torvill, Steve Backley, Christopher Dean, Duncan Goodhew, Denise Lewis, Sally Gunnell, Lynn Davies and David Hemery pose on the Millenium Bridge during BOA Olympic Legends Launch on March 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

2012 - Proud to wear the Union Jack

Image source : Metro.co.uk

Golden girl: Jayne Torvill launched the Dancing on Ice Tour, today, in a modern version of Geri Halliwell's Union Jack dress - Image courtesy & © of the Press Association via the Daily Mail

2006 - 2014 - 'Dancing on Ice'

Jayne and Chris striking a happy pose as they reach the conclusion of their phenomenally successful 'Dancing on Ice' programme for ITV - image courtesy of ITV

1995 - 'Red Nose Day' featuring Torvill & Bean

Yes you read it right 'Torvill & Bean' ... watch the full episode on YouTube - I'm not a big fan of Rowan Atkinson's 'silliness' and this video is a bit of a let down, so much more could have been made of it, as it is it's just plain silly and really does not showcase the magnificence of the Bolero!

Radio Times magazine - Jayne Torvill and Rowan Atkinson cover (11-17 March 1995) - Broadcast details: Friday, 17th March 1995, BBC One, Length 7 minutes

The 2019 9th-15th March issue of the Radio Times reminds us of the Red Nose Day spoof

Torvill And Bean

Mr. Bean takes his girlfriend to see Torvill and Dean perform in Manchester.

Cast & crew

Regular cast : Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean
Guest cast : Sophie Thompson (as Sophie Thomson) Mr Bean's Girlfriend
Clive Mantle : Audience Member
Robin Driscoll : Security Guard
Jayne Torvill : Self
Christopher Dean : Self

Writing team

Robin Driscoll : Writer
Rowan Atkinson ; Writer

Source : comedy.co.uk

IT'S TORVILL AND BEAN - It's a commentator's nightmare... the moment a hapless member of the public strays onto the rink during a Torvill and Dean performance. And they don't come more hapless than Mr Bean. His ice dance debut is one of the highlights in The Night of Comic Relief - as written up in the Radio Times.

1994 - 'There May be Trouble Ahead' ...

and they did 'Face the Music and Dance' beautifully, outshining everyone with their joyous performance and accepting the judges 'sour grapes' 3rd placement with exceptionally good grace!
Image sourced from and © of Getty - Image Provenance : TORVILL AND DEAN GBR
21 FEB 1994: JAYNE TORVILL AND CHRISTOPHER DEAN IN ACTION IN THE ICE DANCE FREE PROGRAM AT THE 1994 LILLEHAMMER WINTER OLYMPICS. TORVILL AND DEAN TAKE THE BRONZE. Mandatory Credit: Chris Cole/ALLSPORT

1985 - The Freedom of the City

Image sourced from local Fb group - no further provenance

Unreleased image sourced from Getty

1984 - Paraguay honours the Winter Olympians

A commemorative stamp sheet produced by Paraguay to honour the Winter Olympians of 1984 - image sourced from www.stampworld.de / wikimedia / wikimedia_commons

1974 - 2018 - Meeting Royalty

Source unknown - Torvill & Dean meet HRH Princess Alexandra circa 1974-80 during Christopher's tenure as a Police Cadet/Officer

This may have been their first encounter with Royalty, but over the years they have been photographed with the very senior members of the Royal Family headed by HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, their son the Prince of Wales, their daughter the Princess Royal who is a member and patron of the British Olympic Team and their late daughter-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales.

Images sourced from various Google searches

The Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean Story - Before 'Bolero'

On the road to success - the young dancing partnership in 1979 - image courtesy & © of Associated Newspapers (now DMG Media)

A rare image from 1981 when Jayne and Chris were just beginning to enter the public's consciousness - image courtesy & © of Getty

Jayne and Chris's website has all you wish to know about them - and believe it or not, there was life before 'Bolero' - my favourite was always Mac and Mabel - although after I saw their 'Barnum' routine live I decided I would never again have favourites! All their performances are breathtaking!

'Mack and Mabel' from 1982 followed by 'Barnum' in 1983 - every movement a remarkable pose!

Torvill and Dean ended an illustrious partnership spanning 40-years in 2015, read their biography and discover their comeback:

1957 - Jayne Torvill is born in Nottingham.
1958 - Christopher Dean is born in Nottingham.
1965 - Jayne becomes hooked on ice skating aged 8.
1968 - Chris starts skating age 10.
1971 - Jayne becomes British National Pairs Champion with partner was Michael Hutchenson.
1972 - Chris starts competing as an ice dancer with partner Sandra Elson.
1974 - Chris joins the Police force aged 16.
1975 - Torvill and Dean unite for the first time.
1978 - Come 4th in their first European Championships.
1978 - Come 11th in their first World Championships.
1979 - Come 6th in the European Championships.
1979 - Come 8th in the World Championships.
1980 - Chris and Jayne progress to become British National Dance Champions for the first time.
1980 - Come 4th in the European Championships.
1980 - Come 5th in Olympics.
1981 - Torvill and Dean are awarded an MBE.
1981 - Jayne wins Sports Writers' Sportswoman of the Year.
1981 - Win the European Championships for the first time.
1981 - Win the World Championships, for the first time.
1982 - Win the European Championships.
1982 - Win the World Championships.
1982 - BBC Television Team of the Year.
1983 - Win the World Championships.
1983 - BBC Television Team of the Year.
1984 - Win the European Championships.
1984 - Win the World Championships for the 4th time in a row.
1984 - Win the Olympic gold medal for their dance to Ravel's Bolero, in Sarajevo.
1984 - Torvill and Dean both win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
1985 - Embark on their first world tour.
1985 - Awarded 'Freedom of the City of Nottingham'.
1987 - Perform 'Ice Escapades' touring the USA.
1988 - 1990 - Perform with the Russian Allstars on a world tour.
1989 - Inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
1991 - Chris marries French-Canadian world champion ice dancer Isabelle Duchesne.
1992 - Start the best of Torvill and Dean Tour of the UK.
1993 - Chris divorces wife Isabelle.
1993 - Nottingham Trent University bestows HonMA on Torvill and Dean.
1994 - Win the European Championships.
1994 - Torvill and Dean make a dramatic return to the Olympic stage in Lillehammer, Norway. Winning the bronze medal.
1994 - Chris marries Jill Trenary.
1994 - 1995 - Start 'Face the music' World tour.
1995 - Honoured by the German Figure Skating Federation.
1995 - Participate in 'Red Nose Day' pairing up with Rowan Atkinson to present 'Torvill and Bean'
1997 - Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean perform in the 'Ice Adventures' tour of Great Britain.
1998 - Perform for the last time on the 'Canadian Stars' on Ice tour.
1998 - Torvill and Dean announce their retirement.
2000 - Torvill and Dean are awarded an OBE.
2006 - 2014 - Dancing on Ice.
2009 - Honoured by the Russian Figure Skating Federation.
2012 - Olympic Torch Bearers.
2014 - 30 year anniversary of Bolero performed in Sarajevo.
2014 - Autobiographical 'Our Life on Ice' published.
2015 - St Ann's outdoor project.
2015 - Debut Pantomime at the Manchester Opera House.
2016 - Pantomime at the Bristol Hippodrome.
2018 - Dancing on Ice - The Return.
2018 - New ITV 2-hour Drama Biopic Special announced.
2018 - ITV Biopic to be broadcast during the 2018 Christmas period.
2019 - 35th anniversary of Sarajevo and the hitherto unbeaten score of 9 perfect '6s' for artistic impression!
2020 - Dancing on Ice hosts the first same-sex couple in the competition
2020/2021 - 'Bolero' performed outdoors in Alaska and Dancing on Ice will be transmitted despite the horrors of the Covid-19 pandemic

'Mac & Mabel' will always be the 'long' dance routine that I like best even if the others are more famous - Image sourced from and © of Getty - Image Provenance : Torvill and Dean Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain performing their Barnum* ice dance routine on 2 February 1983 at the Richmond Theatre in Richmond, England. Visions of Sport. (Photo by Bob Martin/Allsport/Getty Images)

Image sourced from and © of Getty - Image Provenance : Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain performing their Barnum* ice dance routine on 2nd February 1983 at the Richmond Theatre in Richmond, England.Visions of Sport. (Photo by Bob Martin/Allsport/Getty Images)

Image sourced from and © of Getty - Image Provenance : Torvill and Dean
Richmond Ice Ring, Surrey, Saturday 28th April 1984. Olympic Champions, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, perform for the last time as amateurs. (Photo by Henbury/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

* I am citing Getty Archives straplines and Provenance - we all know these images don't refer to 'Barnum' but I have to preserve the copyrighted material in tact.

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