Torvill's young blade

Jayne Torvill, one of the greatest ever figure skaters, launched the Christmas ice rink at Somerset House.

The Olympic gold medallist adapted a scene from the ballet Nutcracker! to mark the opening of the ice rink, one of London’s top festive attractions. Torvill, 46, said: “This is the perfect way to encourage people to start skating.
“It gives everyone a chance to have a go.”

To prove her point she gave prima ballerina Darcey Bussell’s daughter Phoebe her first taste of ice skating. Phoebe, two, appeared to be a natural, clapping her hands and shrieking with delight.

Choreographer Matthew Bourne said he enjoyed working with Torvill, who he has admired for years and praised the dancers from Blackburn Skating School.

The rink, supported by the Evening Standard and Capital Radio, is open from today until 25 January.