My dismay at cold shouldering Jayne after 40 years, by Chris
THEY have performed hand in hand for 40 years so no wonder Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill say it’s surreal being separated by perspex on Dancing On Ice.
The couple, who won Olympic gold in 1984, must talk through a screen because of Covid.
Chris, 62, said: “I can’t touch Jayne and dance with her and skate with her.
“We have to have two metres separation or at least a screen and talk through masks off camera. It’s completely surreal.”
Jayne said: “I haven’t met Chris in person yet this year. It’ll be strange I can’t give him a hug. I’ll have to keep remembering.” They recorded “two or three” routines late last year which will be edited into the show so flailing celebs can see how it should be done.
Injured
Chris and Jayne, judging alongside John Barrowman and Ashley Banjo, have already cast an eye over the stars skittering on to the rink this weekend.
They include singer and dancer Denise van Outen, 46. Chris said: “Denise has done everything in showbusiness and she’s such a talented entertainer.
“But you strap some blades to your feet and put yourself on slippy stuff and it’s a whole new ball game. You’ve got to learn those basics and Denise has found that challenging because she wants to do everything she can do on stage or on the ballroom.”
Another contender is WAG Rebekah Vardy – and she’s already injured her partner. Jayne winced: “Sometimes when you’re upside down, you’re not always sure where your foot is.”
She thinks Emmerdale’s Joe Warren-Plant, 18, looks strong and Jason Donovan, 52, is a perfectionist. ●●Dancing On Ice starts on ITV on Sunday at 6pm.