Image credit: Shutterstock/Ken McKay/ITV
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
The Bafta-winning actor had been so successful at losing weight, he had to fatten up with a strap-on false belly for his latest role.
The presenter on inspiring the next generation and how daughter Zoe is bouncing back after leaving Radio 2.
The Scottish actor on how he’s still asked to repeat Logan Roy’s most famous catchphrase.
The presenter reveals his surprise contestant and how Richard Osman ‘bullied’ him into writing his debut novel.
The TV adaptation of Rivals has has been judged a rip-roaring success. We caught up with the book's author.
The BBC Radio 4 Today presenter reveals the responsibility and privilege that goes with her job.
The presenter on being sacked by the BBC and why her views are 'career suicide'.
The best-selling author says Pilates has changed her relationship with her body.
Stop smoking, go for a walk and do puzzles, says the veteran newsreader.
