Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, the iconic duo who defined ice skating for decades, have been a part of each other’s lives for over 50 years. Their remarkable careers, highlighted by their gold medal win at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, have earned them worldwide fame. Despite their close professional and personal relationship, fans have always been curious about why they never pursued a romantic relationship. Recently, Torvill opened up about this longstanding question.

The two began skating together as teenagers in 1975, but it was their 1984 Olympic victory that made them household names. After retiring from competitive skating in 1998, Torvill and Dean continued to collaborate professionally, with their love for the sport still evident in their roles as coaches on Dancing on Ice. Their deep friendship has always been central to their success, and while they’ve been together for decades, their bond has never been romantic, though many have questioned their relationship over the years.

During an appearance on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show podcast, Torvill and Dean were asked about rumors of a kiss shared between them as teenagers. Torvill responded playfully, “We may have. I don’t know,” before turning serious. She explained that while there may have been a kiss, their primary focus was always on their skating partnership.

Torvill shared that they were very aware of the potential complications romantic relationships could cause within professional partnerships. “We were very conscious that other partnerships were in a relationship, and the relationship would end and so would the partnership,” she said. She recalled a previous coach who had warned her that mixing romance with work could cause problems, and the memory stuck with her. “We never wanted that. We wanted our focus to be on skating,” she added.

Dean, too, emphasized their strong connection, saying, “We’re best friends.” He clarified that while they aren’t siblings, their relationship is built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect. “We work together, we have a business together, but it never feels like a business. We rely on each other,” he said.

Torvill and Dean’s bond has been a key element of their incredible success, both on and off the ice. While they’ve never been romantically involved, their friendship has remained the bedrock of their partnership. Since 2018, they have been head judges on Dancing on Ice, following their years as coaches beginning in 2006. This season, they are judging celebrities like former EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks, Olympic legend Steve Redgrave, and nature star Michaela Strachan.

Now, Torvill and Dean have announced that they will retire from skating, with their final tour, Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance, set to run from April 12 to May 11. Torvill spoke to Prima magazine, sharing that while retirement will allow them to explore new opportunities, she’s not quite ready to let go. “Retirement gives you the chance to try other things you’ve not had the chance to do. I’m not quite there yet, thinking I will have that freedom, because I know there’s a lot of work ahead,” she said.

As they prepare for their farewell tour and future ventures, Torvill and Dean continue to inspire their fans with their enduring partnership. Their decision to never date may have been a choice to keep their focus on their work, but their dedication to each other and their craft remains as strong as ever.