Christopher Dean on why he and Jayne Torvill were never a couple
The Olympic gold medallist on his skating partnership and how he treats his body like a classic car.
Shutterstock/Ken McKay/ITV
The Olympic gold medallist on his skating partnership and how he treats his body like a classic car.
British ice dancer Christopher Dean OBE won gold and bronze Olympic medals with skating partner Jayne Torvill. The duo have been judges on ITV's Dancing on Ice since 2006 and at the final of the latest series in March 2025 performed for the last time together on TV.
They will be touring the UK from April to July with their Our Last Dance show and then hanging up their skates as Torvill and Dean for good.
Christopher talked to Saga Magazine about their dancing relationship which has lasted for five decades.
"For years, people assumed Jayne and I were a couple. Some still do!" he said. "But early on, we realised that a ‘relationship’ could be detrimental to the skating. What happens if you’ve had a barney that morning? Can you put all that emotional stuff to one side when you’re on the ice?
Get the next 3 print editions of Saga Magazine for just £3 when you subscribe and enjoy more content like this, delivered direct to your door every month.
"We did get very close in the early days, but we never went to the next level as skating always came first.
"Now, after working together for 50 years, we’re family; we’re brother and sister. Even after we stop skating, that bond will still be as strong as ever. We’ll be there for each other, come what may."
"I like to think of myself as a classic car; keeping me on the road takes a lot of care and attention. Weights and cardio in my little home gym, anti-inflammatories, ice packs and compression sleeves for my creaky knees.
"At 66, it’s about regular maintenance rather than going for the big burnout."
Jayne and I decided to call our new tour, which starts this month, Our Last Dance because this really is the end... after the tour finishes in Nottingham, we’ll be hanging up the skates as Torvill and Dean.
"Will it be a sad moment? Of course! We climbed up the mountain, saw the beautiful views, won a few medals and we’re able to bow out on our terms. The journey feels complete.
"Yes, this tour will feature the Boléro. The whole thing has a nostalgic feel because we know people will want to see their favourite routines: Boléro, Face the Music, Barnum. It’s like going to see a rock band; you want to hear them play all the hits."
The tour starts at the OVO Arena Wembley on April 11, 2025, and finishes at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena on July 12, 2025
Your chance to win a five-night river cruise with Saga worth almost £3,000, exploring some of Germany's most culturally-rich cities.
Saga offers escorted tours throughout Europe and as far afield as Canada, Australia and even Uzbekistan, plus hotel stays in popular European hotspots including Spain, Portugal and Greece.
Find your perfect holiday today.
Jenni Murray is back behind the microphone as she chats to national treasures and household names.
The TV star chats about health, her love of sprouts and why she’s been proven right about the detox diet.
The singer-songwriter on being diagnosed with ADHD at 70 and how she’s ageing on her own terms.
The UK’s bestselling contemporary poet talks about finding huge success in later life and why Christmas is her lifeline.
.jpg?la=en&h=541&w=1232&hash=68EDA28677DE015BF53916AA57CAD1F7)
For the Bake Off judge, the funniest festive season was the one when the lunch went completely wrong.
The baking queen on celebrating her 90th birthday, her daily indulgence and why her husband Paul thinks “cooking is boring”.
