For nearly two decades, Christopher Dean has been a cornerstone of ITV's hit show Dancing on Ice, offering his expert critique as a judge. However, his journey to television stardom began decades earlier on the world's most prestigious sporting stage.
From Olympic Glory to Television Stardom
Christopher Colin Dean was born on 27th July 1958 in Calverton, Nottingham, making him 67 years old. He stands at a height of 5ft 11in (1.8m). His path to national treasure status was cemented in 1984 at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics. Alongside his professional partner Jayne Torvill, Dean delivered the now-legendary Bolero routine, achieving a near-perfect score that earned them an Olympic gold medal and made them the highest-scoring figure skaters in history.
Their achievements extend far beyond that single iconic performance. The pair also secured an Olympic bronze medal, won the World Championships four times, and claimed the European Championships title four times. In recognition of their historic win, Dean was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy in 1984.
Personal Life: Relationships and Family
A common misconception is that Dean and Torvill were romantically involved. While they shared a childhood kiss at age 14, they have always maintained a strictly professional partnership. Dean's personal life has seen two marriages.
- His first wife was French-Canadian ice dancer Isabelle Duchesnay (1991-1993).
- He then married American skater Jill Trenary in 1994. Their marriage lasted until 2010.
With Trenary, Dean has two sons: Jack, born in 1998, and Sam, born in 2000. The skater is private about his children but occasionally shares glimpses of family life on social media.
Since 2011, Dean has been in a long-term relationship with fellow skating professional Karen Barber, a former Dancing on Ice judge and trainer. The couple confirmed their romance in a joint statement, noting their 30-year friendship had evolved. They are not married and have chosen to keep their relationship relatively private.
Life After Competitive Skating: Net Worth and Legacy
After retiring from competition, Dean transitioned seamlessly to television. He joined Dancing on Ice at its inception in 2006, initially as a trainer before taking his seat on the judging panel, where he now sits alongside Torvill, Oti Mabuse, and Ashley Banjo.
His successful career on and off the ice has accrued significant wealth. While not officially disclosed, Christopher Dean's net worth is estimated to be around £6 million.
Dean and Torvill's legacy remains untouchable. In a recent poignant announcement, the pair revealed they may never perform their signature Bolero again, marking the end of an era for the duo who brought ice dancing to the forefront of British sport and entertainment.
