‘Each performance is getting closer to the final one’: Dancing On Ice’s Jayne Torvill, 63, and Christopher Dean, 62, hint they could RETIRE from skating after 40 years of dazzling on the rink
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have said they won’t skate forever and have already seen some signs retirement might be on the horizon.
The skating sensations, aged 63 and 62, have been dazzling on the ice for almost 40 years since their incredible routine at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics.
Now the Dancing On Ice judges have admitted their skating days are approaching an end, with them vowing to continue only while they can perform ‘to a level we’re happy with’.
Approaching the end: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have said they won’t keep on skating forever (pictured on Dancing On Ice)
Chris told The Sun: ‘Each performance is getting closer to the final one and that’s why we’re appreciating what we’re doing now.’
While discussing how many years they may continue on the ice for and the thought of skating until in their 70s, Chris joked ‘shoot us if we are!’
The duo added that while they still love performing and can do it to a level ‘they’re happy with’ they’ll continue on the ice.
Jayne said: ‘I don’t know when we’ll call it a day. And while we still love it, and can do it to a level we’re happy with, we’ll keep on. But I don’t know about when I’m 77.’
What a moment: The skating sensations, aged 63 and 62, have been dazzling on the ice for almost 40 years since their incredible routine at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics
Chris added that he’s already some tell-tale signs that retirement might be on the horizon, admitting he’s ‘not as fast’ on the ice as ‘my knees don’t let me’.
Although not able to choreograph routines with as much speed as before, Chris said it just means they have to be more ‘creative’ with their movement.
Elsewhere in the interview, Jayne and Chris revealed they will perform with skaters Atl Ogay-Perez, 13, and Ashlie Slatter, 11, in a pre-recorded video on Sunday’s Dancing On Ice show.
The moment, which was recorded before lockdown, will mark the first time the Olympians haven’t performed live on the hit ITV show.
They have to stop sometime! While discussing how many years they may continue for and the thought of skating until in their 70s, Chris joked ‘shoot us if we are!’ (pictured in 2020)
Teasing what fans can expect, Chris said that the routine is sure to be a crowd pleaser and ‘warm everyone’s hearts’.
It comes after Jayne and Chris revealed they’re being kept apart for the first time in 40 years due to Dancing On Ice’s coronavirus guidelines.
The duo, who have known each other since they were nine, admitted the experience is ‘surreal’ as they will remain socially distanced during the show.
Choreographer Christopher said in a new interview: ‘I can’t touch Jayne and dance with her and skate with her. We have to have two-metre separation or a screen, and talk through masks off camera. It’s surreal.’
Having fun: Jayne added that they’ll continue performing while they can to a ‘level we’re happy with’ (pictured in Nottingham in 1984)
The TV judge’s longtime professional partner added to The Mirror: ‘I haven’t met Chris in person this year, it will be strange I can’t give him a hug, I will have to keep remembering.
The friends decided not to create a bubble while the show was running as it would mean having to distance from their partners.
Dancing On Ice 2021 has already gotten off to a dramatic start with two contestants – Denise Van Outen and Rufus Hound – leaving the show.
Denise quit after injuring her shoulder in rehearsals while Rufus was axed after testing positive for coronavirus.