British ice skating champion Christopher Dean has separated from his wife Jill Trenary after 16 years of marriage.

Dean, 51, one half of the duo Torvill and Dean who won gold for Britain at the Winter Olympics in 1984, has recently been starring in ITV's Dancing On Ice.

Last night the star's agent confirmed the split.

Before rift: Christopher Dean with wife Jill Trenary pictured at Lillehamar in 1994

He said: 'Christopher Dean and his wife Jill Trenary have separated. They remain good friends and devoted parents to their two sons.'

The split comes amid rumours that Dean had become close to fellow Dancing On Ice judge Karen Barber while filming the series in London.

Reports last night claimed Barber had spent several nights at Dean's flat and was comforting him through his separation.

Barber, 48, who has also represented the UK at the Olympics, is married to Stephen Pickavance, a trainer on the television series.

Dancing On Ice panel: Dean is said to be close to Karen Barber, front left

Jayne Torvill and Dean became the highest scoring ice-skaters of all time with maximum points after performing their Ravel's Bolero routine.

It earned them the gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

They also won bronze at Lillehammer in 1994 and earned British, European and World Championship medals.

They retired from competitive skating in 1998 and Dean has been living with Jill, his second wife, in Colorado Springs in the US with their two children.

Bolero for Britain: Torvill and Dean dance their way to Olympic gold in 1984

Now: Torville and Dean train celebrity contestants in ITV's Dancing On Ice

Torvill and Dean did not skate together again until coming out of retirement to take part in Dancing on Ice.

A spokeswoman for ITV said: 'No comment. It's a personal matter.'