'How I helped Torvill and Dean 45 years ago'

Almost five decades ago, entertainment agent Tony Sherwood received a call asking if he could arrange a fundraising event for a "starry" pair of amateur figure skaters.

That event - a cabaret variety show - raised money to help send Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and another ice skater, to the 1980 European Skating Championships.

The duo came fourth and, four years later, Torvill and Dean would dance the Bolero in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, becoming the highest-scoring figure skaters of all time for a single programme.

The Olympic gold medallists are now preparing to skate together for one final time in Nottingham on Saturday, bringing their 50-year career to an end.

Speaking to the BBC in their dressing room at the National Ice Centre, Dean said: "Tony helped us so much, really quietly in the background.

"He didn't make a song and dance about it, but he put on some fundraisers to send us off to the European and world championships."

Torvill added: "It's just fantastic what he did to put on those shows - and the artists who gave their time and the generosity of the public who came and donated some money."

Tony, now 80, still has the bright orange poster promoting the fundraiser held at the-then Gedling Miners Welfare in Mapperley in January 1980.

"This is the show that started it off," he said.

It forms part of a collection of memorabilia, including posters and photographs, which Tony said he had not shared with anyone for 45 years.

He said his involvement had begun with a phone call from an ice skating coach called Mick Wild, who asked if he could use his showbusiness connections to put on some events to raise money for Torvill and Dean.

He organised raffles and shows at social clubs and miners clubs, raising £4,500 in total.

Tony said: "Nottingham's got a great history of sporting activity.

"I'd explained to the artists, who gave their services free, that they would be helping someone who might become very, very successful.

"It was an act of faith on their part, but they took a bit of persuading."

Tony knew Brian Clough, who led Nottingham Forest to back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980, and called him to see if he could help.

He recalled Clough's response: "Young man, I can't send the team but I can send the European Cup."

Those who attended the event had their photos taken with the cup and a letter kept by Tony shows that Clough also sent a cheque for £25.

The money raised went towards the purchase of video camera equipment that was used by Torvill and Dean to improve their rehearsals.

Reflecting on the fundraising events he organised and the support they gave to the duo, Tony said he felt "very proud".

"Now that they are world famous, there's no other act, no other skaters like Torvill and Dean and I'm very proud to be involved with them," he added.

Torvill and Dean unveiled a newly updated tram in their name on Tuesday to celebrate their career.

A rink at the National Ice Centre was also officially named after them and a blue plaque marking their final performance was revealed.

Looking ahead to their last show, Dean said: "We want it to be a celebration, it's not a sad occasion, for us it's full circle.

"This is where we started in Nottingham, this is sacred ground for us."

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