British ice dancing icons Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have declared their inclusion in the New Year Honours list the 'perfect' conclusion to their legendary careers, as they officially hang up their skates.
A Fitting Finale for Olympic Icons
The duo, who have been partners on the ice for half a century, were named in the 2025 list for their services to ice skating and voluntary work. Torvill receives a Damehood while Dean is to be knighted. They said the timing was impeccable, coming after their final tour and documentary this year.
'We did our final tour this year, and that was a big thing for us,' said Dame Jayne Torvill, 68. 'We had such a great time... and then receiving this award at the end of the year, it’s just finished everything. It’s perfect.' Sir Christopher Dean echoed the sentiment, simply stating they were 'happy now' and 'retired'.
From Olympic Podium to Honours List
The pair first skated together in a junior competition 50 years ago. Their career pinnacle was winning Olympic gold at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Games with their iconic Boléro routine. They later secured a bronze medal at the Lillehammer 1994 Olympics.
Their journey was chronicled in the 2025 documentary Torvill & Dean: The Last Dance, which culminated in one final performance. Their long-running ITV show, Dancing On Ice, has also been 'rested' with no current plans for a new series.
Torvill revealed a moment of anxiety when her honour letter arrived before Dean's. 'I couldn't believe it,' she said, especially when a call to her partner confirmed his letter hadn't arrived. Thankfully, it turned up three days later, with Dean saying he felt 'really humbled' by the recognition.
Passing the Torch to a New Generation
Now retired, Torvill and Dean said they are 'ready to pass the mantle on' to Britain's next skating hopefuls. They highlighted the pairing of Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear, who will compete at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy.
Gibson, inspired to skate after watching Dancing On Ice, represents part of the duo's legacy. Dean believes the pair have a genuine medal chance. A win would mark the first British figure skating medal since Torvill and Dean's own bronze in 1994.
The skating legends were joined on the New Year Honours list by figures including Sir Idris Elba, Dame Meera Syal, and Richard Osman OBE, recognised for their contributions to various fields from arts to charity.
