Disco Brits Fear and Gibson Target Olympic Glory in Milan
Last Halloween, British ice dance champions Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, who are leading Team GB at this week's Winter Olympics, paid homage to their idols by dressing up as Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean. They even wore the original dip-dyed purple costumes from Torvill and Dean's gold-winning Boléro routine at the 1984 Sarajevo Games, a special loan from the legends themselves. This playful tribute underscored their deep admiration and competitive spirit, as they had long aspired to surpass their mentors' record of seven British championship titles.
Breaking Records and Making History
In a monumental achievement, Fear and Gibson won their eighth British championship title just a month after their Halloween tribute, breaking Torvill and Dean's long-standing record. Lewis Gibson reflected on this milestone, saying, 'It felt like a fun little challenge of, "Can we beat it?!"' Their success didn't stop there; in 2025, they secured Great Britain's first World Championship medal in figure skating in 41 years, again following in the footsteps of Torvill and Dean. Currently, they are ranked number one in ice dance in the Ice Skating Union's World Standings, cementing their status as top contenders.
Tomorrow, the duo will compete in the Winter Olympics in Milan, which began on Friday, as strong contenders for Team GB's first figure skating gold medal in over four decades. They have revitalised the traditional genre of ice dance with a bold, fun interpretation, blending elements like triple axels with 'girl power' punches and Union Jack costumes. Their energetic performances to music from artists like the Spice Girls and Beyoncé have earned them the nickname 'Disco Brits,' capturing the attention of fans worldwide.
A Decade of Dedication and Partnership
Behind their rhythm dance tomorrow night lies ten years of rigorous training, six days a week, at the Ice Academy of Montreal. Fear detailed their punishing regime: 'Strength and conditioning, Pilates, cardio, dancing, stretching, physio, massage, acupuncture, and sports psychology,' all on top of extensive skating practice. The pair spend up to ten hours a day together, fostering a close bond that Gibson describes as akin to a relationship, but rooted in friendship. 'It's like a relationship that lovers, partners, have, where you really know the other person,' he says. 'But it's not that, because we're best friends.'
Despite their intense schedule, they maintain boundaries, with evenings as 'sacred time' apart to ensure a life outside skating. Fear, who is 26 and often compared to actresses Leighton Meester and Nina Dobrev, is the more talkative of the two, while Gibson, 31, is a quieter, softly spoken Scot. Their partnership began when the British Ice Skating federation brought them together in 2015, after Fear split from her previous partner. Despite initial challenges, they quickly clicked and moved to Montreal to train, where they initially struggled but eventually thrived under the mentorship of icons like Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.
Overcoming Criticism and Embracing Authenticity
Fear and Gibson's camp performances and unconventional choreography have not been universally praised, with criticism coming from social media and some fellow skaters. However, they remain determined to stay true to themselves. Fear admits, 'It is hard to be yourself when you're out on the world stage being judged,' but they draw inspiration from figures like Taylor Swift, who advises that criticism is inevitable. Gibson adds, 'We had this rapid growth in the sport, and shot up doing these sort of fun, entertaining programmes. And I think people latched on and would be like, "Oh, well, they can't really skate. It's just a bit of a shtick that they're doing". Time after time, I feel we proved a lot of people wrong.'
On a personal note, Gibson, who came out publicly in 2020, finds the world of ice skating to be an open and safe space, though he acknowledges concerns about judges' attitudes in some countries. He praises the representation in media, such as the drama Heated Rivalry, for helping to normalise queer stories in winter sports.
The Road to Olympic Gold
As they prepare for their second Winter Olympics, Fear and Gibson will face stiff competition from Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and European champions Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron. Their routines will feature a Spice Girls-themed rhythm dance and a free dance set to Scottish tunes like The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lomond and I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles). Fans can look out for signature moves like 'The Flying Scotswoman' and 'The Bagpipe,' showcasing their innovative style.
With an Olympic gold medal within reach after four decades, Fear expresses cautious optimism: 'It is our dream, and it is something that we believe is possible.' The next 24 hours will determine if their years of sacrifice and training pay off, as they aim to bring home a historic victory for Team GB.
