Dance floor contest for Torvill and Dean

The duo, whose ITV show Dancing on Ice is being dropped after one further series, will be taking part in a one-off performance for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal next month.

Figure skating champions Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill are pairing up with James Jordan and Aliona Vilani from Strictly to perfect their routine.

The duo have had a week to learn a routine, performing to a medley of tunes including Let’s Face The Music And Dance, which was the accompaniment to their bronze-winning performance at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

It is thought to be the first time they have competed against one another in a dance contest and they will each be aiming to lift a glitterball in the shape of Pudsey Bear.

Their dance-off will be screened during the Children in Need appeal show on November 15, which will feature further dancing with the cast of EastEnders performing a range of styles with a routine live from Albert Square.

The evening-long broadcast will also include appearances from One Direction, the cast of Call The Midwife and a Doctor Who segment.

Frank Skinner will host a children’s edition of Room 101 and chart acts such as JLS, Tinie Tempah and Ellie Goulding are also to be guests.

The programme will be hosted once again by Sir Terry Wogan, along with Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Zoe Ball and Nick Grimshaw.

Sir Terry, the life president of Children in Need, said the hope was to create another record-breaking total.