The Story That's Still So Inspiring

Actress Anita Dobson, who will star in the festive ITV drama Torvill and Dean, tells why the ice-dance pair’s story is perfect for Christmas…

- Alison James

After a hard day of eating too much turkey, enjoying too many tipples and opening pressies, there’s nothing nicer than settling down in front of the TVon Christmas night and watching something we can really lose ourselves in. The kind of drama, let’s say, that features two wonderful characters we already know who have a fierce determination to make the best of their raw talent. A tale that will have us rooting for our hero and heroine, while also making us laugh and cry as we follow them on their journey from working class obscurity to success beyond their wildest dreams. A story with the feel-good factor and more than just a pinch of pixie dust…

“You mean magic!” laughs actress Anita Dobson. “Because that’s what Torvill and Dean is and what it most definitely has. There is something truly magical – not to mention inspirational – about seeing a young Christopher Dean, played by Will Tudor and Jayne Torvill, played by Poppy Lee Friar, beginning to ice-skate as youngsters and then, through hard work, talent and determination, begin to live their dream. We all need dreams and a bit of magic in our lives, don’t we? I cried at the first script read-through of Torvill and Dean because it was so emotional and because I’m quite soppy. The drama isn’t soppy, though, it’s a wonderful watch that will leave the viewers feeling touched and inspired plus it’s great entertainment. It’s perfect for Christmas.”