Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean announce 'emotional' retirement from ice skating
The iconic duo are embarking on a farewell tour
Last updated 14th Feb 2024
Legendary Olympic champion ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have announced their retirement from skating, 40 years on from their gold medal win.
The Dancing On Ice judges are set to embark on a farewell tour, as they celebrate their incredible careers in the sport. Jayne and Chris spoke to Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins on Good Morning Britain live from Sarajevo, where the pair won their Olympic gold exactly 40 years ago today (14th February).
Explaining why it felt like the right time to retire, Chris said: "Gosh, well 40 years ago is a long time. In actual fact, next year in 2025, we have been skating together for 50 years and we felt that was a really nice round number to say, 'We have had a wonderful time, but it's time to retire a little bit and hang up the skates.' No more touring except for the last tour we are hoping to do next year."
Jayne added: "We feel that it will be the last tour, but it will be a celebration of everything that we have been through since 1984, winning the Olympics, which opened up the door to lots of other things in the future."
Explaining how it feels to be back in Sarajevo on the anniversary of their incredible Olympic triumph, Chris said: "It's fantastic being here in Sarajevo where it all started for us.
"It's quite emotional actually and nostalgic at the same time. We went back into the Zetra Stadium where we performed and stood on the spot where we knelt down to start the Bolero routine and I sort of had tingles in the back of my neck being there again.
"The stadium was actually bombed during the war but they have rebuilt it exactly how it was before, so the memories come flooding back and everywhere we walk, the people of Sarajevo still remember the spirit of the Olympics at that time."
When asked if they knew what a big moment it was 40 years ago, Jayne said: "No, I don't think we ever could have imagined. Leading up to the Olympics, we were just focussed and in the zone. We hadn't even thought of what was happening beyond that moment.
"We were just so ready to do the performance and hoped that it all went well and we were just so relieved getting to the end of it and that we couldn't have skated it any better because we worked so hard to get to that moment."
Chris added: "It was only when we got back to the UK and in our city of Nottingham, they had arranged a parade from Jayne's house, which was a little sweet shop in Basford, and it was a four mile drive into the city centre and the streets were lined with people from the way to the centre.
"It was only then that we realised how many people had watched and how it had affected everybody. Even 40 years later, people still come up to us and say, 'I remember where I was when you performed that Bolero'."
Discussing the plans for the final tour, Chris explained it will be a way for him and Jayne to celebrate 50 years of skating together. He said: "The tour is going to be a celebration and nostalgic at the same time. You will see some old numbers that we have done in the past and who knows, there may be a Bolero in there as well.
"But we want to bring along our friends we have met over the years onto the ice with us in a celebration for that one last tour. It's 50 years of us together, so we would like to say thank you to everybody and if you would like to come along, then come along."
Take a look at the celebrities who have won Dancing On Ice:
Gaynor Faye - 2006
Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye won the first ever series of Dancing On Ice alongside her professional ice skating partner Daniel Whiston, under the watchful eye of judges Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Nicky Slater, Jason Gardiner and Karen Kresge.
Kyran Bracken - 2007
Rugby player Kyran Bracken won the show - and the hearts of viewers - in the second series. Beating Clare Buckfield in the final showdown, Kyran won with his professional partner Melanie Lambert.
Suzanne Shaw - 2008
Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw won the 2008 series with professional ice skater Matt Evers. Both of their final performances scored a perfect 30/30, which was the first time that had happened on the show, beating runner-up Chris Fountain.
Ray Quinn - 2009 & 2014
X Factor star-turned-Broadway star Ray Quinn won the show in 2009 alongside his professional partner Maria Filippov. The couple beat journalist Donal MacIntyre and his partner Florentine Houdinière with their final performance. He also won the returners' series in 2014.
Hayley Tamaddon - 2010
Corrie and** Emmerdale actress Hayley won with second-time winner Daniel Whiston, beating Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy to the top spot. She also made it to the final of the returners' show in 2014, finishing second to Ray Quinn.
Sam Attwater - 2011
EastEnders actor Sam Attwater won the coveted prize of first place in 2011 wth his partner Brianne Delcourt, beating TV presenter Laura Hamilton. The pair also returned for the 2014 series, but finished fourth.
Matthew Wolfenden - 2012
Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden won the 2012 series with his professional ice skating partner Nina Ulanova, beating fellow soap star Jorgie Porter to the top. This was also the year that Louie Spence joined the judging panel, if you remember...
Beth Tweddle - 2013
Olympic champion gymnast Beth Tweddle won the 2013 series alongside her partner Daniel Whiston in his THIRD win on the show. She beat EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas and his partner Brianne Delcourt, and came third in the 2014 returners' series with Łukasz Różycki.
Jake Quickenden - 2018
Former The X Factor star Jake Quickenden was the clear winner for the revived series of Dancing On Ice in 2018, winning the show with his partner Vanessa Bauer.
James Jordan - 2019
Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan swapped the ballroom for the ice in 2019, and he showed off his amazing moves alongside skating partner Alexandra Schauman.
James beat Love Island star Wes Nelson and former X Factor contestant Saara Aalto in the final.
Joe Swash - 2020
Perhaps the most surprising result in Dancing On Ice history! Joe Swash and his pro partner Alex Murphy were crowned the 2020 winners beating Diversity star Perri Kiely in the final.
Sonny Jay - 2021
After the most chaotic series in Dancing On Ice history, which saw five celebs have to quit the show, Sonny Jay was crowned the winner ahead of Colin Jackson and Corrie actress Faye Brookes.
Regan Gascoigne - 2022
Paul Gascoigne's son Regan Gascoigne was crowned the 2022 winner of Dancing On Ice, in perhaps the most competitive final in history! Regan and his pro partner Karina Manta were up against Brendan Cole and Kimberley Wyatt in the final.
Nile Wilson - 2023
After a tense final alongside Joey Essex and The Vivienne in March 2023, gymnast Nile Wilson was crowned the 2023 winner with his professional partner Olivia Smart.
Ryan Thomas - 2024
Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas and his partner Amani Fancy were crowned the winners of series 16 during the final on Sunday 10th March 2024. Ryan received the most public votes during a tense final with Miles Nazaire and Vanessa Bauer and Adele Roberts and Mark Hanretty.
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