LILAH FEAR and Lewis Gibson will head to the Winter Olympics next year with genuine hopes of landing Great Britain’s first figure skating medal since Torvill and Dean.

Fear and Gibson are part of an eight-strong squad confirmed for selection today by the British Olympic Association for the Games, which get under way in Milan and Cortina on February 6.

The ice dance duo finished 10th in Beijing in 2022 but subsequently won a European silver medal in 2023, followed by their historic bronze medal in Boston at the end of March.

Fear said: “Being selected for Milano Cortina 2026 is incredibly special. We’ve grown so much since Beijing, and to come into this season with the momentum we’ve built feels really meaningful.

“We’re so proud to represent Great Britain and to be part of such an exciting moment for British figure skating.”

Acclaimed pair Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won Britain’s last Olympic figure skating when they returned to clinch bronze in Lillehammer in 1994.

Fear and Gibson are joined in the ice dance event by Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez, while Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby will make their Olympic debut in the pairs competition.

Completing the largest figure skating squad since 1988, Kristen Spours will compete in the women’s singles, while Edward Appleby has qualified for the men’s singles in the team event.

Team GB chef de mission Eve Muirhead said: “We have a brilliant mix of youth and experience here.

“Lilah and Lewis have proven they are among the best in the world, and their leadership will be invaluable to the six athletes making their Olympic debuts.”