Sussex Stars Among New Year Honours Recipients As Jane Torvill Made A Dame

East Sussex ice-skating legend Jayne Torvill has been made a dame in the New Year Honours, marking a career spanning 50 years at the top of her sport.

Torvill, from Heathfield, is best known for winning Olympic gold alongside long-time partner Christopher Dean in 1984 with their iconic Bolero routine.

She said the timing of the honour was “perfect,” coming just after the pair completed their final tour.

“We had such a great time, and we were so happy with the tour and the fact that we got through it,” she said.

Torvill, 68, described her delight on opening the letter containing the news, sharing it first with her husband and then with fellow Dancing on Ice judge.

“I was so elated, but then I was thinking, ‘there’s something wrong here,’ as everything we’ve achieved, we’ve achieved together,” she said.

The New Year Honours also recognised local public service.

Crowborough’s Louise Ansari was awarded an MBE for her work promoting health equity as chief executive of Healthwatch England.

From Hailsham, Angela Wooller, apprenticeship and qualifications manager at East Sussex County Council, received a BEM for services to further education.

Joyce White, formerly head of orthoptics at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and now retired, was awarded a BEM for her contribution to orthoptic patient care.

These honours highlight Sussex residents making a lasting impact in sport, healthcare, and education.