Skating legends Torvill and Dean’s rumoured romance addressed in new movie

They made history when they won the 1984 Olympics with their iconic Bolero routine, and now a new movie will delve into Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s personal lives – while addressing the romance rumours that have followed them for years.

The iconic ice skating duo, who have been a double act for more than 45 years, have both settled down with long-term partners since retiring from professional competitions, but have remained firm friends for decades.

While they now work together on ITV series Dancing On Ice and clearly share a very close friendship, they’ve battled romance rumours for years and it’s thought they could be addressed in the two-hour ITV film, simply titled Torvill and Dean.

Executive Producer Emily Dalton explained: “They are iconic but also enigmatic: we’ve all speculated about their relationship off the ice. I think viewers will be moved and surprised by the heart-breaking – and backbreaking – journey they’ve been on together.”

Game of Thrones actor Will Tudor, 31, will portray Dean, now 59, and actress Poppy Lee Friar, 23, will play Torvill, 60.

The one-off movie will follow their lives right from their beginnings in Nottingham, UK, through to their Olympic success. It will focus on how Dean’s childhood heartache following his parents’ divorce triggered his determination for success on the ice, as well as Torvill’s early reserved nature and her battle to bring out her passion on to the ice.

Penned by writer William Ivory, the film also stars Anita Dobson and Stephen Tompkinson.

Read more: Ice skating legends Torvill and Dean reunite for breathtaking routine

The pair said they’re “honoured” to have a film made about their lives, and added in a statement: “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.”

Meanwhile, Ivory added: “It’s been such a privilege to work on this piece. Chris and Jayne are such fascinating characters: sports people and athletes with all the grit and determination that entails, but real artists, too, engaging in deeply felt creative and emotional battles.”

The famous couple wowed audiences at the Sarajevo Games in Yugoslavia in 1984, with their incredible Bolero routine. They were the first duo to get top scores from every single judge on the panel, and it paved a career in the spotlight for the pair of them – ending with their current gig on Dancing On Ice.

Filming on Torvill and Dean is due to commence later this month.

Do you remember watching Torvill and Dean win the Olympics?