Torvill and Dean Tribute Lunch at The Dorchester Hotel

Today, we pay a special tribute and celebrate two “Legends” of figure skating: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

A career spanning over 30 plus years, and having won the British nation’s hearts in 1984 with their dance routine to Maurice Ravel’s Bolero at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Since their success at Sarajevo’s Winter Olympics winning gold medals and becoming the highest scorers, the pair have gone on to become global national treasures.

Eamonn Holmes (Pictured below), ITV’s This Morning and SKY News Anchor, had been asked to host this special lunch for Torvill and Dean. I asked Eamonn: How he felt tributing two of his dearest friends? He had this to say, “One of the brilliant things about the job that I do is that you’re able to reach through the screen and touch people that you would admire, who would enterain you, who are Legends! In Torvill and Deans case, we are talking about Legends!” — Eamonn Holmes.

You may also remember Torvill and Dean from ITV’s family favorite show: “Dancing on Ice”. It had been said, this was the first time the couple had been reunited on the ice since their retirement in 1998. Dancing on Ice, went on for nine exciting years were Torvill and Dean coached celebrity guest stars on the ice. Guests included: David Seaman (Series 1), Ray Quinn (Series 4), Bobby Davro (Series 5) and many more.

Since the series finished in 2014. We were reunited with past celebrity guests and judges on the ice. They came to celebrate with Torvill and Dean at their Tribute Lunch, supported by the children’s charity “Variety”.

We bumped into Former Goalkeeper David Seaman, who came to our screen on the very first series. Since then David has married ice skating coach Frankie Poultney. I asked David: What he enjoyed about Ice Skating? Here’s what he had to say: “Me and Frankie try and skate every week. I enjoy the challenge. It’s hard and a total body work out. But, I love it! Plus, I got a great coach in my wife so… (laughs).”

I asked about how he felt to be reunited with Torvill and Dean since the series? “We saw Jayne a few weeks ago. They’re not just work mates, but actual friends.
And, Quite right, a tribute to Torvill and Dean, very fitting!” How lovely to hear that from David.

Our next guest was Ray Quinn, from series four. Ray reflected on his time on the ice and how Torvill and Dean helped him prepare: “They work so hard, never give up and are always determind to do their best. They did it (Dancing on Ice) for nine years and I was a part of that. It’s an honour of what they’ve achieved in their life together and in their profession”.

I asked Ray: Whether he was still ice skating? “No, I haven’t ice skated for a while. I’ve been busy in the studio working on the new album. But, I really enjoyed the experience, for sure”. That’s fair Ray! Hopefully, we’ll see you on the ice again soon.

We also bumped into those scary judges, who we could never second-guess what they were thinking about our contestants? First to interview was our favorite Mr Nasty: “Jason Gardiner”! I asked Jason: How he felt coming to support his dear friends? “It’s certainly an honour to be a part of this. Variety are also a wonderful charity, they do incredible work, and to honour Jayne and Chris in this way, I think it’s about time!

They are national treasures. They’ve achieved amazing things and left behind an amazing legacy. So I think it’s great that finally a tribute like this is happening and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

I also bumped into our other favourite “Karen Barber”. I was curious to know: How she felt to be reunited by her dear friends from Dancing on Ice? “We’ll all miss Dancing on Ice. It was in our lives for nine years!…You know maybe we should think about it coming back? (Me: Do you think that it would?) Do you know what? I would like to think so [laughs]!“

I sure do hope that Tovill and Dean return for an Anniversary of 10 years, with a 10th series!

We were all waiting eagerly for our national treasures of figure skating to enter the building. Moments later from the corner of my eye I saw: the legends that are “Torvill and Dean”! I couldn’t believe my eyes! Take a look at our tweet below of them entering the building:

Absolute Honour speaking today with @torvillanddean ??⛸? Today was their Special Tribute @TheDorchester w/@VarietyGB pic.twitter.com/7JrozxYrNv

— Ali (@Quulzz) January 7, 2016

Moments later, I had the privilege of standing opposite and shaking the hands with two of Great Britains, globably regconised, olympic gold medalists: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean! I began with congratulating them with their contribution to winning the gold medal in 1984, that they have touch the nations hearts, including my own and asked them: How can you summerise the way you feel after so many years of skating and touching the Great British public’s heart’s?

Christopher Dean: “Thank you. We didn’t think we’d be skating more than a couple of years after we finished… (Jayne Torvill: The Olympics) …the competitve side, so to be doing it some 30 plus years later it’s all the bonus. We’re very honoured to be able to still be doing what we are doing and enjoy what we are doing (Jayne Torvill agrees: Yes)”.

I went onto ask: What can you advise young figure skaters to do by helping them achieve their goals? Christopher Dean: “The main thing that we’ve always adhered to, is to enjoy what you are doing, and find the enjoyment out of what you do. Because if it becomes a strain, or a struggle, or something that you resent, you are not going to want to do it. So always find the pleasure in them”.
Thank you Torvil and Dean.

If you like to watch our interview w/ Torvil and Dean, and, all their guests. Please click on the video below:

Keep up to date with more updates on Torvill and Dean @MarkMeets #MeetMeets.

Article by: Ali Armian.

Popcorn Series: Ali Armian from Quulzz.

Photography: Quulzz.

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