Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Dancing’s on ice
Torvill and Dean must keep 2m apart in new ITV series
THEY have performed handin-hand and cheek to cheek for more than 40 years.
But Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill are getting used to the “surreal” fact they will not be able to dance – or even touch – when they reunite for the live Dancing on Ice shows on Sunday.
Covid rules mean the 1984 Winter Olympics gold medallists must wear masks or talk with a plastic screen between them.
Chris, 62, said: “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.”
Jayne, 63, added: “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 good news is the pair recorded “two or three” routines together late in 2020 to be added to the shows, so fans will see them showing the celebs how it is done.
They have also cast their eyes over the week-one celebrities.
Of Denise van Outen, Chris says she is “an amazing” entertainer.
“But strap 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 of skating and I think Denise has found that challenging because she wants to do everything she can on stage yet bring it to the ice.”
Another star is WAG Rebekah Vardy who accidentally injured her partner Andy Buchanan’s face with a stray skate. Jayne said: “Rebekah’s been showing promise,
her skating looks quite strong.
“Andy, he’s been pushing her to do some big lifts and sometimes when you’re upside down, you’re not sure where your foot is.”
Jayne also reckons actor Joe Warren-plant looks “strong” while Jason Donovan is a perfectionist.
And Chris says comedian Rufus Hound “brings character to the ice” while rapper Lady Leshurr faces a “real challenge” after a leg injury before Christmas.
Overall Jayne is just “excited” the series is taking place at all.
She said: “Lots of my friends have said for the last couple of weeks, ‘We really need this now’.
“I can’t wait and I hope the viewers are going to enjoy it.”
Dancing on Ice starts on ITV on Sunday night at 6pm.
I find it surreal that after 40 years I can’t dance with Jayne or even touch her CHRISTOPHER DEAN ON SHOW’S COVID PRECAUTIONS