Game Of Thrones and Ackley Bridge stars set for Torvill and Dean drama

Torvill and Dean
(Image credit: PA Archive/PA Images)

Will Tudor and Poppy Lee Friar will take to the ice for the one-off film about ice skating legends Torvill and Dean...

Ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have said they are 'honoured' to be the focus of a newly commissioned one-off drama for ITV.

The two-hour film, Torvill and Dean, will tell the duo's personal and professional story, from their humble beginnings in Nottingham to their medal-winning successes at the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Games Of Thrones and Humans actor Will Tudor will play Christopher Dean, while Ackley Bridge and Eve star Poppy Lee Friar will portray Jayne Torvill.

Torvill and Dean Will and Poppy

Will Tudor and Poppy Lee Friar will take on the roles of Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill

The drama, penned by Made In Dagenham and Burton And Taylor writer William Ivory, also stars former EastEnders actress Anita Dobson, who'll take on the role of Miss Perry, Jayne's first coach at the Nottingham Ice Stadium.

Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks) will play Jayne's father, George, while This is England star Jo Hartley plays her mum, Betty.

Dean Andrews (Last Tango in Halifax) and Christine Bottomley (In the Club) will play Chris’s parents, Colin and Mavis, while Jaime Winstone (Babs, Ellen, After Hours) portrays Janet Sawbridge, the ice dancing instructor who pairs Chris and Jayne together for the first time.

The ice dancing duo, who won gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics with their showstopping Bolero routine, spent hours being interviewed by William Ivory, who has turned their real-life story into a screenplay.

Torvill and Dean said: "We feel very honoured that ITV have commissioned this film based on what was a very significant period in each of our lives.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent with William Ivory and the team at (production company) Darlow Smithson sharing experiences of our passion for skating, the life-long friendship that came through our sport and everything that it took to achieve our eventual goal of becoming Olympic champions.”

Filming is due to begin on the drama later in July.

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