10 brilliant photos capture Torvill and Dean’s final performance in Nottingham

The sporting legends came out to deafening cheers as the city celebrated the end of an illustrious 50-year career

 

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean pictured on the ice at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham city centre, as they perform the Bolero for the final time.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean pictured on the ice at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham city centre, as they perform the Bolero for the final time. (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)

Nottingham legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean united for one last dance on Saturday (July 12) night as they called time on a remarkable career spanning more than five decades. The pair, who won gold at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics in ice dancing, rose to international stardom after their encapturing performance to the soundtrack of Maurice Rave’s Bolero.

It was one of the most-watched television events ever in the UK, with more than 24,000,000 viewers across the country tuning in to watch the memorable display. Some 41 years later, the pair have bowed out at the ‘sacred’ location where they first danced on ice together, Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, in front of 5,000 inspired viewers from nearby and afar.

Chris Dean told the crowd: “Tonight will be in our hearts and memories forever.”

They graced the crowd with their classic routines, including Mack & Mabel, Summertime, Barnum and Let’s Face the Music and Dace – but, to no surprise, it was the eagerly-awaited Balero routine which earned them the first standing ovation of the evening. Earlier in the week, the famed duo, who received a Sports Personality of the Year Award in 1984, were in Nottingham to unveil the new gold lettering on the tram they had named in their honour in 2009.

Meanwhile, an ice rink at the National Ice Centre was named the Torvill & Dean Rink. In the run-up to their final shows, Jayne and Chris were presented with an array of gifts from staff at the Motorpoint Arena – including matching crystal decanters, bouquets of flowers and a Nottingham Lace handkerchief embroidered with the words ‘Happy Tears for Many Happy Memories.’

Nottinghamshire Live’s Joseph Raynor was on hand on Saturday evening to capture pictures of the emotional evening. You can see 10 stunning pictures of the duo’s emotional farewell in our photo gallery below:

10 brilliant photos capture Torvill and Dean's final performance in Nottingham - Nottinghamshire Live

  1. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean embrace on the ice following their final performance of the Bolero
    Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean embrace on the ice following their final performance of the Bolero

    (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)1 of 9

    • In Pictures: Behind the scenes at Torvill and Dean's final show | The Independent
  2. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean pictured on the ice at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham city centre, as their final show draws to an end.
    Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean pictured on the ice at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham city centre, as their final show draws to an end

    (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)2 of 9

  3. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean pictured on the ice at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham city centre, as their final show draws to an end.
    It’ll be a night that 5,000 people from Notts and beyond will not forget

  4. Cast revealed for new film about Nottingham's ice dance legends Torvill and Dean - Nottinghamshire Live