Olympic Ice Skater Christopher Dean Opens Up About Childhood Trauma

Olympic ice skater Christopher Dean, widely known for his success in the sporting world and appearances as a judge on Dancing on Ice, has recently opened up about the childhood trauma he endured.

In a heartfelt article for a publication, Dean candidly shared the turbulent experiences he faced during his early years. Growing up in Nottingham, his parents’ divorce and his mother’s departure from their family home had a profound impact on his life.

Dean recounted a specific incident when his parents took him to visit friends, which turned into a distressing situation. As a six-year-old, he witnessed an intense argument between his parents and their friends, ultimately realizing that his father, Colin, had been having an affair. Shortly after, his mother, Mavis, broke the news to young Dean that she was leaving.

Touched by confusion and sadness, Dean pleaded with his mother not to go, but she remained silent. Holding her hand as they walked home, he felt the weight of losing his mother and enduring the challenges of being an only child.

Years later, during an episode of the popular TV series DNA Journeys, Dean revisited his childhood home in Nottingham, unearthing suppressed memories which he had blocked out. He discovered that his stepmother, Betty, arrived shortly after his mother left, leading to a new chapter in his family dynamics.

Despite the upheaval in his early life, Dean has since reconciled with his mother, who often supports him by attending Dancing on Ice as he and his former skating partner, Jayne Torvill, serve as judges.

During the DNA Journeys episode, Dean also made an astonishing discovery about his roots. He found out about family members on his mother’s side whom he never knew existed, residing in Utah, USA, opening up a new world of connections.

Outside his personal life, Dean has also ventured into marriage and parenthood. He was previously married to French-Canadian World ice dance champion, Isabelle Duchesnay, and later found love with American skater Jill Trenary, with whom he shares two sons, Jack Robert and Sam Colin. However, their relationship eventually ended, and Dean has been in a long-term relationship with Dancing on Ice head coach, Karen Barber, since 2011.