Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean Spark Romance Buzz with Sarajevo Kiss, Announce Farewell Tour
Legendary ice dance duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have reignited long-standing rumors of romance after sharing a kiss during a poignant return to Sarajevo—marking 40 years since their historic gold-medal performance at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
The iconic pair, who just announced their retirement and upcoming farewell tour Torvill and Dean: Our Last Dance (set to run April 12 to May 11, 2025), performed their famous Boléro routine once more on the same ice where they became legends. Amid a sultry and nostalgic rendition of the program, they shared a kiss—fueling decades-old speculation about their bond.
Though both are in long-term relationships—Jayne, 66, has been married to Phil Christiansen since 1990, and Christopher, 65, has been with fellow ice dancer Karen Barber since 2011—the duo’s undeniable chemistry has kept fans guessing for years.
Their connection has always straddled the line between professional magic and something deeper. They’ve admitted to sharing a one-time kiss as teens and even briefly considered dating in their early years, but ultimately chose to prioritize their partnership on the ice.
“We still have a great spark and chemistry,” Jayne told The Mirror. “And we enjoy each other’s company—but we have other partners as well.”
Christopher has also described their bond as “unique”—not quite like siblings, nor like spouses. Their near-romantic closeness has fueled fan fascination, and even led to tension in past relationships. Christopher’s first wife, skater Isabelle Duchesnay, famously referred to Jayne as “the other woman” in their marriage.
Jayne recalls one post-Olympics moment that triggered rumors: “A reporter asked Chris when he was getting married, and he said, ‘Not yet.’ Suddenly, we were supposedly engaged!”
The pair met in their teens at a Nottingham ice rink—Jayne was an insurance clerk, Christopher a 16-year-old police cadet. They were brought together in 1975 by coach Janet Sawbridge, who sensed a rare chemistry, and skating history was made.
Their Boléro performance at the 1984 Winter Olympics became a cultural phenomenon, earning 12 perfect sixes and a standing ovation from the world. A month later, they delivered an even higher-scoring performance at the World Championships.
They later turned professional, then returned to amateur competition for the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. Despite a strong showing, they took home bronze—a result marred by political judging tensions. “The writing was on the wall,” Christopher admitted.
Over the years, the pair toured extensively, worked as choreographers and coaches, and became the faces of ITV’s Dancing on Ice from its launch in 2006. After a hiatus in 2014, they returned in 2018 as head judges, maintaining a beloved presence on British TV.
Their unique bond has been dramatized in a 2018 biopic and reflected in countless longing looks, teasing choreography, and barely-there kisses. Through it all, both have insisted their relationship is built on deep friendship, mutual respect, and a chemistry unlike any other.
“We’re not spring chickens anymore,” Christopher said of their farewell tour. “But we still feel we can skate to a level we’re proud of.”
The tour will celebrate 50 years since their partnership began and will feature nostalgic performances alongside fresh, upbeat routines. “We want it to be a celebration,” he added, though he admitted emotions will likely run high as their final skate approaches.
Their final Dancing on Ice appearance will include a tribute to their 1984 performance—one that launched them into global stardom and opened doors for a lifetime of skating together.
As Jayne once said with a smile, “The whole world wants to know if we were in love.”
And after 50 years, the answer might still be skating just out of reach—leaving room for the magic to live on.