In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the skating world and beyond, Jayne Torvill, one-half of the legendary ice dancing duo Torvill and Dean, has confessed to harboring romantic feelings for her long-time partner, Christopher Dean. The admission, made during an emotional interview ahead of their final Dancing On Ice series in 2025, peels back the curtain on a 50-year partnership that has captivated millions. For decades, fans have speculated about the nature of their bond—platonic or something more?—and now, at 67, Jayne is setting the record straight. With tears, nostalgia, and a career-defining farewell on the horizon, here’s the full story behind her stunning confession and what it means for one of Britain’s most iconic duos.

‘I left it quite late’: Emotional Jayne opens up about problems with having children(Image: ITV)

A Partnership Forged in Ice

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s story began in 1975 at Nottingham’s Ice House, where two working-class kids—Jayne, a 17-year-old insurance clerk, and Chris, an 18-year-old police cadet—paired up under coach Janet Sawbridge. Their chemistry was instant, their talent undeniable. By 1984, they’d made history at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics, earning a perfect score for their Boléro routine—a sensual, groundbreaking performance that remains the gold standard in ice dance. The world fell in love with them, not just as athletes but as a duo whose connection seemed to transcend the rink.

Off the ice, their relationship was a mystery. Both insisted they were “just friends,” despite the palpable tension in their routines. Jayne married sound engineer Phil Christensen in 1990, with whom she has two children, Kieran and Jessica. Chris wed American skater Donna Cote in 1991 (divorcing in 1993), then French skater Isabelle Duchesnay in 1994 (divorcing in 2010), and has been with Dancing On Ice pro Karen Barber since 2011. Through it all, Torvill and Dean remained inseparable—coaching, touring, and joining ITV’s Dancing On Ice as judges in 2006. Yet, the question lingered: was there ever more?

The Confession That Changes Everything

The bombshell dropped on April 1, 2025, during a RadioTimes interview tied to Torvill and Dean’s Our Last Dance tour and their final Dancing On Ice series. Reflecting on their 50-year partnership, Jayne, now 67, grew emotional. “I have to be honest,” she said, her voice trembling. “There was a time when I was in love with Chris. It’s something I’ve never said out loud before, but it’s true.” The confession stunned host Jane Garvey, who pressed for details. “It was early on, in the late ‘70s, before we won the Olympics,” Jayne clarified. “I didn’t know how to handle it, so I buried it.”

Chris, 66, sitting beside her, appeared visibly moved but unsurprised. “I think I knew,” he admitted softly. “We never talked about it, but there was a moment where the lines blurred.” Jayne nodded, adding, “We were so young, spending every day together. It was intense—how could it not be? But we made a choice to keep it professional.” The revelation rewrites the narrative of their early years, casting their Boléro triumph in a new light: a dance of unspoken love, frozen in time.

The Untold Truth

Jayne’s feelings, she explained, peaked around 1979, as they trained relentlessly for the 1980 World Championships (which they won). “I’d look at him and feel this rush,” she said. “He was my everything—my partner, my confidant. I didn’t know if it was the skating or him.” At 22, she grappled with her emotions, fearing a romance could derail their career. “We’d seen other pairs crash and burn over relationships,” she told The Sun in a follow-up. “I couldn’t risk losing what we had.”

Chris, meanwhile, hinted at reciprocation. “There were feelings on my side too,” he confessed. “But we were so focused—Boléro was our baby. We couldn’t let anything jeopardise it.” Their mutual decision to stay platonic was unspoken but firm, a pact sealed by their shared ambition. By the time they hit global fame in 1984, Jayne’s love had “evolved into something else—deep respect, trust,” she said. “I met Phil, and life moved on.”

Fans have long dissected their dynamic. The Boléro, with its intimate holds and longing glances, fueled rumors, as did their 1994 reunion tour kiss—a choreographed moment they laughed off. “People wanted us to be a couple,” Chris told The Guardian in 2018. “We let them dream.” Jayne’s confession now confirms those dreams weren’t entirely baseless.

Why Now?

The timing of Jayne’s revelation ties to their 2025 farewell. After 17 years on Dancing On Ice—first as coaches, then judges—they announced their exit in February 2024, marking 40 years since Sarajevo. Their Our Last Dance tour, running April to June 2025, will recreate Boléro one final time, a swan song for a partnership that defined ice dance. “It’s the end of an era,” Jayne said. “I wanted to be honest before we close this chapter.”

The confession also reflects a personal reckoning. At 67 and 66, Jayne and Chris are grandparents—Jayne to son Kieran’s child, Chris via his stepchildren with Karen. “We’re older, wiser,” Jayne told RadioTimes. “I don’t want regrets.” Chris agreed: “It’s a relief to say it out loud. It doesn’t change what we are now.” Their candor has sparked debate—some see it as a gift to fans, others as a late twist to their legacy.

The Fallout

The skating community and Dancing On Ice fans are abuzz. “Jayne and Chris in love? My mind is blown!” one X user posted, alongside a Boléro clip. “It explains everything—the passion, the chemistry.” Others feel bittersweet: “I’m gutted they never got together,” a fan wrote. “They were soulmates.” ITV has stayed mum, but insiders say the confession could boost Dancing On Ice’s 2025 ratings, airing January to March, as viewers tune in for their final bow.

Their spouses seem unfazed. Phil Christensen, Jayne’s husband of 35 years, told The Mail, “It’s ancient history. Jayne and I have a solid life.” Karen Barber, Chris’s partner, echoed this on Instagram: “Love their honesty—proud of them both.” The couples’ support underscores the duo’s ability to separate past feelings from present reality.

A Love Beyond Romance

Jayne’s confession doesn’t rewrite their story—it enriches it. “I don’t regret keeping it professional,” she said. “What we built was bigger than a romance.” Their 12 world titles, Olympic gold, and decades of mentorship—training stars like Greg Rutherford and Beth Tweddle—prove her point. Chris concurred: “Our love became something different, stronger. It’s why we’re still here.”

Their Boléro remains a testament to that bond. “Every lift, every look—it was real then,” Jayne told The Times. “But we channeled it into the ice.” Fans now rewatch it with fresh eyes, spotting the flickers of young love amid the spins. “It’s heartbreaking and beautiful,” a YouTube commenter noted. “They gave us their hearts.”

What’s Next?

As Torvill and Dean prepare to hang up their skates, their legacy is secure—but Jayne’s revelation adds a poignant layer. The Our Last Dance tour, hitting cities like London and Sheffield, sold out in hours after the news, with extra dates added due to demand. “We’ll skate Boléro with everything we’ve got,” Chris promised ITV News. Post-tour, they’ll step back from performing but continue coaching and charity work, including their Torvill & Dean Foundation for young skaters.

Jayne hinted at a memoir, teasing “more stories to tell.” Chris, ever the choreographer, plans to develop new ice shows. “We won’t disappear,” he said. “Just evolve.” Their Dancing On Ice exit—rumored to feature a farewell performance—will be a tearjerker, especially with this confession in the air.

A Timeless Duo

Jayne Torvill’s admission isn’t about rewriting history—it’s about honoring it. “I was in love with Chris, and in a way, I still am,” she said, smiling. “Not romantically, but as my other half.” Chris nodded: “She’s my Jayne. Always will be.” Their story—love unspoken, then transformed—resonates beyond the rink, a tale of sacrifice, triumph, and enduring connection.

As 2025 unfolds, fans will watch their final dances with new appreciation. From Sarajevo to the cobbles of ITV, Torvill and Dean have given us magic—and now, the truth. Tune in to Dancing On Ice this January and catch their tour this spring, because this confession proves one thing: on and off the ice, Jayne and Chris are unforgettable.