Dancing On Ice’s Torvill and Dean leave ITV star ‘gutted’ after announcement
Dancing on Ice legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have announced they’ll be hanging up their skates for TV performances after an incredible run.
The pair, who have scooped 16 gold medals across World, European and British Figure Skating Championships, retired from professional skating back in 1998. However, they have been wowing audiences on Dancing On Ice since it first aired in 2006.
Recently, they’ve decided that this season will be their last for live performances. In an exclusive chat with Express.co.uk, Sky Vegas ITV show winner James Jordan expressed his feelings about the duo’s decision to step back.
He said: “As you get older, you get slower, you become less flexible, and things that once felt easy start to feel difficult.
“Torvill and Dean are still incredible, but there comes a point where you think, ‘If I keep going, it won’t be the same, and I don’t want people to see me like that.'”
James reflected on their last performance, admitting he was in awe at watching them both on the ice. Calling them ‘absolute legends’ in the realm of skating, James understood their decision to retire, reports the Express.
He added: “Letting go is never easy when performing is all you’ve ever known. That reaction from the audience, the thrill of being in front of people – it’s a massive part of your life, and when it stops, it can feel like losing a piece of yourself.
“I respect their decision completely. I love watching them skate even now, so of course, I’m gutted, but at the same time, I admire them for knowing when the time was right.”
Jayne and Christopher spoke about their decision to hang up their skates on Good Morning Britain earlier in the week. While speaking to Ed Reid and Susanna Reid, they confessed it was time.
Christopher responded: “If Dancing On Ice continues, we’ll just come back as judges, but really, it is time for us. It’s 50 years of skating together and it takes its toll on the body.”
Dancing on Ice is available to watch on ITVX
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