Christopher Dean Joins Judging Panel of Battle of the Blades

CHRISTOPHER DEAN JOINS THE JUDGING PANEL TO SELECT THE FINAL THREE PAIRS OF BATTLE OF THE BLADES SEASON 3

The four pairs will compete with performances set to popular “Duets”

CBC Press Release

November 4, 2011 – British Olympic Gold Medalist, four-time World Champion and star of the UK’s smash-hit TV show Dancing On Ice, Christopher Dean returns to the BATTLE OF THE BLADES judging panel as Guest Judge along with Head Judge, Sandra Bezic and Resident Judge, Jeremy Roenick. On Sunday, November 6 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) and on Monday, November 7 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), Dean will help the judging panel decide which pairs will make it through to the final week. The four pairs will perform to popular ‘duets’ which must also include a solo by each of the hockey players.

One of the greatest ice dancers in the history of figure skating, Christopher Dean and his partner Jayne Torvill shot to superstardom when they became Olympic Gold Medalists with their free program, Bolero, at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. This legendary performance redefined ice dancing as no dance team had ever received the highest possible score in a skating competition before and they still hold the record for this remarkable accomplishment. Torvill and Dean went on to prolific, world-wide professional careers, performing in and producing ice shows that continue today. They have introduced a whole new generation to the sport of figure skating with their hugely popular show Dancing On Ice. One of the most-watched TV shows in the UK for the sixth year in a row, Dancing On Ice features celebrities learning to figure skate with subsequent tours. Torvill and Dean were admitted to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1989. They were honored by their country by being named Members of the British Empire (MBE) in 1981 and to the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000.

About BATTLE OF THE BLADES:
For more information about the competitors, please visit the official online portal of BATTLE OF THE BLADES, www.cbc.ca/battle and follow @CBCbattle on Twitter. This TV series partners 16 stars of hockey and figure skating in an 8-week competition for a total prize of $290,000 for their chosen charities. It is produced by Insight Productions in association with CBC Television.