CHRISTOPHER Dean would welcome a Torvill and Dean statue in the city centre – with one condition.
"Only if it looked like us," said the ice dance legend, who is back in Nottingham tonight with the Dancing On Ice tour.
That there isn't a statue yet, he added: "Obviously we haven't made it yet."
The tour marks the 25th anniversary of the pair's Bolero routine at the Sarajevo Olympics that won them gold and worldwide fame.
He and dance partner Jayne Torvill are recreating the routine on the tour which comes to the Trent FM Arena tonight, continuing with two shows tomorrow.
"I have to say to anyone that's coming, don't miss the beginning," he said, revealing that the opener would indeed be their Bolero routine.
How hard has it been doing the skate 25 years on? "Well the body is older that's for sure," he said. "The mind remembers it just fine. "But I think it's about the emotion we put in to it."
Christopher admits having difficulty remembering a lot about winning the gold in 1984.
"When I watch it now I watch as other people do," he said. "I can't put myself there because I was in such a zone. The day of the actual skate we were so focused."
The pair will skate four routines as part of the new show and comment on the performances by the celebrities. They include Melinda Messenger, Jessica Taylor, Zoe Salmon, Roxanne Pallet, Todd Carty and TV series winner Ray Quinn.
It was Quinn who won the opening night of the tour in Sheffield last week.
Christopher, 50, who still has step brothers and sisters in Nottingham, said: "Ray is a huge talent. He's a natural. Even if we'd have given him a tennis racket or a cricket bat he would have been good.
"Most probably he could make a living professionally right now. But if he'd have started younger I'm sure he would have been a champion."
The live shows differ from the ITV programme as the celebrities will compete against previous winners Kyran Bracken and Suzanne Shaw. Judges will include Karen Barber, Robin Cousins, Ruthie Henshaw and Nicky Slater, but audiences get to vote via text.
The eventual winner performs Bolero for the finale.
An additional matinee show was added for tomorrow just two weeks ago, after the two evening shows sold out. "Obviously you're doing double the amount of work, so it's a more physical day, but the performers love going out when the audience are enthusiastic and supportive."
Even for Todd Carty.
"He's not the most talented skater but he has a lot of affection," laughed Christopher, who now lives in the US.
I tell Christopher that I shall be guest judging tonight – so does he have any tips?
"Judge it as you see it. Who entertains you, who thrills you, that will be the key."
So if I give Todd Carty top marks for entertaining me the most, I won't be thrown out? "No you won't get thrown out. But you might not get asked back next year."
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