Torvill and Dean announce retirement 40 years after skating to victory
- Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean went to Sarajevo 40 years after successful gold
It was Valentine’s Day in 1984 after they skated to victory on the Sarajevo Winter Olympics, successful the gold medal and incomes the best ever rating for a single efficiency.
And now, 40 years later, Jayne Torvill, 66, and Christopher Dean, 65, are hanging up their skates for good as they’ve introduced their retirement.
The British skating duo will embark on one remaining UK tour subsequent 12 months, which can be their swansong and mark 50 years since they shaped their skating partnership in 1975.
Dean mentioned that the pair had agreed it was the ‘proper time’ to cease skating as they’re ‘not spring chickens anymore’ and need to stroll away whereas they’re nonetheless in a position to do it ‘to a sure diploma’.
The pair grew to become worldwide stars after receiving 12 good sixes whereas skating to Maurice Ravel’s Boléro on the Zetra Olympic Hall in Sarajevo, prompting a standing ovation.
It was Valentine’s Day in 1984 after they skated to victory on the Sarajevo Winter Olympics, successful the gold medal and incomes the best ever rating for a single efficiency
And now, 40 years later, Jayne Torvill (left), 66, and Christopher Dean (proper), 65, are hanging up their skates for good as they’ve introduced their retirement
The pair (pictured throughout their efficiency) grew to become worldwide stars after receiving 12 good sixes whereas skating to Maurice Ravel’s Boléro on the Zetra Olympic Hall in Sarajevo, prompting a standing ovation
It was watched on tv by 24 million individuals within the UK and one month later they obtained a good higher rating on the World Championships.
Their farewell tour, Torvill and Dean: Our Last Dance, will run from April 12 to May 11, 2025 with dates in London, Belfast, Newcastle and Glasgow.
‘I believe there comes a time when you realize,’ mentioned Dean.
‘We’re not spring chickens anymore however we’re nonetheless in a position to do it to a sure diploma that we be ok with it however that may go.
‘So, I believe that is the precise time for us to have the ability to do this and go and skate and do a number of the previous routines, be very nostalgic, however then do some new enjoyable, upbeat (dances) with mates of ours from the skating world and from Dancing On Ice.’
He mentioned that they’re wanting on the tour as a ‘celebration’ however predicts they are going to really feel emotional about their remaining skate the nearer is will get.
‘We’ll have a way of delight as effectively, I believe, of what we have achieved and nonetheless been in a position to do through the years, bringing aggressive skating and competitions after which leisure by way of the TV display screen,’ he mentioned.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean returned to Sarajevo to commemorate 40 years since successful gold at 1984 Winter Olympics
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean go to the Olympic museum, the place they watch again their 1984 efficiency
Torvill and Dean have introduced their ‘Our Last Dance’ UK Tour for 2025
Torvill and Dean have been surrounded by younger skaters on the ice in Sarajevo
The pair checked out their gold medals whereas visiting the Olympic museum
In the museum, they watched a video of the British group on the 1984 Winter Olympics strolling in
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean go to the gymnasium that now stands on the location of the Zetra Olympic Hall ice rink, the place they gained their gold medals on the 1984 Winter Olympic Games, throughout their go to to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the fortieth anniversary
Torvil and Dean on the steps of the British Embassy in Sarajevo
The skating legends posed in entrance of an indication for the 1984 Winter Olympics
The pair was smiling because the skated throughout the ice whereas holding arms
‘I believe we’ll get reflective and have a look at it not in a tragic means however in a contented means.’
Following the tip of their aggressive profession, Torvill and Dean began teaching and choreographing and usually toured, earlier than changing into the faces of ITV’s actuality present Dancing on Ice in 2006.
The present went on hiatus in 2014 and when it was revived in 2018 they returned as head judges. It will air a particular commemorative tribute to their 1984 gold medal-winning efficiency throughout this Sunday’s episode.
‘That was actually a launching pad of then going off to do different issues,’ Dean mentioned of their beloved 1984 routine.
‘Touring world wide, skating in entrance of a whole lot of 1000’s of individuals after which Dancing On Ice beginning up due to successful the Olympics.’
