Torvill and Dean to be the subject of new TV drama with stellar cast
This is going to be absolutely fantastic!
Last updated 24th Jul 2018
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are beloved up and down the UK as Torvill and Dean, the figure skating pair who won the highest score of all time for a single dance at the 1984 Winter Olympics. After the success of their beautiful routine to Ravels' 'Boléro', their performance went down in history as one of the best sporting moments in British history, and both received OBEs in 2000.
So it stands to reason that the Dancing On Ice pair will be the subject of a brand new TV drama as their lives are documented from their training days through to this year's series of the skating talent show.
Check out all the winners of Dancing On Ice from the very start...
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.
The TV show, which will simply be called Torvill and Dean, is reportedly set to start filming later this month and will star Will Tudor and Poppy Lee Friar as the two leads. Will, who is best known for his role as Olyvar in Game Of Thrones, will star as Christopher whilst Poppy, who is best known for her role as Missy in Ackley Bridge, will play Jayne.
Will expressed his delight at being cast in the show by taking to Twitter earlier today, revealing that he's 'very excited' to be involved in the show.
In a joint statement, Chris and Jayne said of the show, "We feel very honoured that ITV have commissioned this film based on what was a very significant period in each of our lives.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent with William Ivory and the team at Darlow Smithson sharing experiences of our passion for skating, the life long friendship that came through our sport and everything that it took to achieve our eventual goal of becoming Olympic champions."
According to ITV, viewers will learn all about Chris' early life in Nottingham and how he channeled his anger at the breakdown of his parents' marriage into skating, and how Jayne was "determined to explore her inwardly passionate nature" despite being introverted.
The pair have been interviewed in preparation for the show by screenwriter William Ivory, who described working on the project as a "privilege" and said that Chris and Jayne are "such fascinating characters."
Joining Will and Poppy on the cast are Call The Midwife's Anita Dobson as Jayne's first coach Miss Perry, whilst Jaime Winstone will play Janet Sawbridge, the instructor who first paired them up together.
Also in the cast is Stephen Tompkinson as Jayne's father George and Jo Hartley as her mum Betty, Dean Andrews and Christine Bottomley as Chris' parents, Colin and Mavis.
An official air date has yet to be announced.