When is ice-skating biopic Torvill and Dean on TV?
The one-off ITV biopic tells the story of British ice dance stars Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's journey to Winter Olympic gold
Poppy Lee Friar and Will Tudor step into the shoes (or skates) of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean for ITV's feature-length biopic about the Olympic champion figure skaters.
The two-hour drama tells the story of Torvill and Dean in the early years of their partnership and is getting a second showing this Christmas after its original airing in 2018.
Here's everything you need to know...
When is Torvill and Dean on TV?
Torvill and Dean is on Sunday 29th December at 8:35pm on ITV.
What is Torvill and Dean about?
Written by Made in Dagenham's William Ivory, Torvill and Dean traces the early story of the figure skaters who captured the public's imagination with their stunning gold medal-winning dance to Boléro at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
ITV promises "a single film narrating Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s early years and the creative impetus that finally drove them to become ice dancing royalty.
"We’ll learn about their humble beginnings and family life in Nottingham; how Chris, following the breakup of his parents’ marriage, channelled his anger into skating and how Jayne, was outwardly reserved, and determined to explore her inwardly passionate nature.
"We explore how Chris and Jayne clashed as they separately and together tried to establish a new language for ice dance – one which won gold medals but also spoke to their private, intense relationship."
Who stars as Torvill and Dean?
Game of Thrones actor Will Tudor takes on the role of Christopher Dean, while Ackley Bridge's Poppy Lee Friar plays Jayne Torvill.
EastEnders star Anita Dobson is Miss Perry, Jayne’s first coach at the Nottingham Ice Stadium, with Stephen Tompkinson and Jo Hartley as Jayne's father George and mum Betty.
Stepping in as Chris's parents Colin and Mavis are Dean Andrews and Christine Bottomley, while Jaime Winstone stars as Janet Sawbridge – the ice dancing instructor who pairs Chris and Jayne together for the first time.
Susan Earl takes the role of Betty Dean.
British Olympic ice skaters Nick Buckland and Penny Coomes joined the cast as stunt doubles, and also served as consultants and mentors.
Is this Torvill and Dean's real-life story?
Yes, and the feature-length drama has been created with the help of Jayne Torvill and Chris Dean themselves. The two of them spent many hours being interviewed by screenwriter William Ivory, who was also "born and bred" in Nottingham.
The two said in a joint statement: "We feel very honoured that ITV have commissioned this film based on what was a very significant period in each of our lives.
"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.”
Writer William Ivory said: “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.”
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