Ackley Bridge star Poppy Lee Friar is set to play Jayne Torvill in a new drama about the personal and professional lives of ice dancing icons Torvill and Dean.
The ITV film, Torvill and Dean: The Movie, will explore the duo’s early years and the relationship they shared both on and off the ice.
Filming for the movie is set to begin within the next few weeks and will also see Game of Thrones actor Will Tudor play Christopher.
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Speaking about his role in the movie, Will tweeted: “VERY excited for this project!!! It is such an honour to get the chance to play a living legend.”
Other stars set to star in the movie are The Moorside star Dean Andrews and Fearless actress Christine Bottomley, who will portray Dean’s parents.
EastEnders actress Anita Dobson, who played Angie Watts, will play Miss Perry, Jayne’s first coach at the Nottingham Ice Stadium.
According to ITV, the film will also explore the “creative impetus” that led to Torvill and Dean’s gold medal-winning dance to Ravel’s Bolero at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics.
Executive producer Emily Dalton said viewers will be “moved” and “surprised” by the “heartbreaking journey” Torvill and Dean have been on together.
Speaking about the duo, Emily said: “They are iconic but also enigmatic: we’ve all speculated about their relationship off the ice.
“I think viewers will be moved and surprised by the heartbreaking – and backbreaking – journey they’ve been on together.”
Writer William Ivory added: “It’s been such a privilege to work on this piece.
“Chris and Jayne are such fascinating characters: sports people and athletes with all the grit and determination that entails, but real artists, too, engaging in deeply felt creative and emotional battles.”
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Jayne and Chris said they feel “very honoured” that a film is being made about each of their lives.
They 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 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.”
There is no confirmed release date for the film yet but filming is expected to begin next month.
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