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“Last Time on Ice”: Christopher Dean Chokes Up When Saying Goodbye to Jayne Torvill After 40 Years Together

Torvill & Dean standing together on ice
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Christopher Dean expressed how “wonderful” it was to conclude on a high note with his ice dancing partner Jayne Torvill in their final performance.

The iconic duo, immortalised in British sporting legend since their 1984 Winter Games triumph, unveiled plans for retirement from joint performances in 2024, marking four decades since their Olympic victory.

Their farewell tour across the UK, ‘Torvill And Dean: Our Last Dance,’ wrapped up with an emotional final bow during four shows in their native Nottingham this April.

After the concluding skate together, the 66 year old Dean reflected: “The performance went well and the audience were amazing and so, for us, to be able to bow out on a high like that was wonderful.”

On whether the experience was moving, Dean shared, “These last four performances here in Nottingham, the early ones were quite emotional and I think I sort of got that out of me, and tonight, it was a high.”

Dean also appreciated the fans, indicating, “We enjoyed it so much. The skating was good from our point of view, but the audience were phenomenal. They were the best audience ever.”

At age 67, Torvill acknowledged the impending sense of loss: “I think we’ll miss it.”

Highlighting the post-tour adjustment, Torvill mused, “When you’ve done all these shows like this, and you’re suddenly home, not doing anything, you miss that adrenaline rush and you miss the excitement of being on the ice, whether it’s a practice session or a performance.”

While the skating chapter ends for the duo, Torvill revealed they have other project plans, however, she made clear that their on-ice partnership would not continue.

The pair clinched an Olympic gold in 1984 with their ice dance to Ravel’s Bolero at the Zetra Olympic Hall in Sarajevo.

They also triumphed at the World, European and British Championships and made a comeback to the Winter Games at Lillehammer in Norway in 1994 where they secured bronze.

After retiring from competitive skating, they ventured into touring, coaching and choreographing before becoming the faces of celebrity competition show Dancing On Ice, which aired from 2006 until 2014.

When the show was brought back in 2018, they took on the roles of head judges until earlier this year when ITV announced it would be put on hold.

Their farewell tour of London, Belfast, Sheffield, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow included a team of professional figure skaters, some of whom have appeared on Dancing On Ice.