Dancing On Ice star Christopher Dean shot to fame after bringing home a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Crowned one of Britain's National Dance Champions alongside his partner, Jayne Torvill, Christopher's extensive career in the ice dancing industry eventually led him to a meeting with his future wife – and fellow Olympic star – Isabelle Duchesnay. Keep reading for all the details on their two-year marriage.
WATCH: Have you been watching the latest series of Dancing On Ice?
Christoper Dean crossed paths with French-Canadian skater, Isabelle Duchesnay in the late 1980s after he was asked to choreograph for her and her brother Paul Duchesnay.
MORE: Dancing On Ice star Christopher Dean's family life in photos
READ: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean reveal 'very close' relationship has impacted marriages
After marrying on May 19 1991, the couple tied the knot in Montreal but later decided to divorce in 1993. While both Christoper and Isabelle have said very little about their two-year marriage, in 2014, Jayne Torvill explained that her close friendship and skating partnership with Chris had caused some issues for Isabelle.
© Photo: Getty ImagesChristoper Dean and Isabelle Duchesnay married in May 1991
Explaining that his former wife had "struggled to understand our relationship," Jayne told The Mirror, "I think she wanted more of him than he could give her and she didn't get that he had a loyalty to me and our partnership."
Following his skating partner's answer, Chris agreed: "We've always been best friends. We know what the other is thinking."
© Photo: Getty ImagesIn 2014, Jayne Torvill revealed that her close friendship and partnership with Christopher Dean had impacted his marriage to Isabelle
According to reports, after their divorce, Isabelle had said: "I felt that he had two women in his life. Because his work was more important, that automatically made Jayne more important because she was his work."
While many have speculated on the nature of Christopher and Jayne's relationship, the pair has never actually dated, although they have kissed before. During a Radio Times interview, Jayne admitted: "We did actually kiss once – before we were a skating couple. We were in the back of the bus going to a league match, and it just happened. It was a one-off. We never talked about it afterwards. We laugh about it now."
© Photo: Getty ImagesDespite working together for years, Christoper Dean and Jayne Torvill have never dated
Jayne has been happily married to her husband, and American sound engineer, Phil Christensen since 1990. They share two children – Kieran and Jessica, who are both adopted. Meanwhile, Christopher has been in a relationship with former Dancing On Ice judge, Karen Barber, for over a decade.
Planning your wedding? Sign up to HELLO!’s brand new Bride Guide newsletter for expert advice, budget help, wedding inspiration and real life stories delivered straight to your inbox.
