Karen Barber's Biography

Karen Barber was born on 21 June 1961.

In 2011, Karen Barber changed role on Dancing on Ice from judge to head coach.

Karen Barber and Nicky Slater, who was also a Dancing on Ice judge, competed at two Winter Olympic Games, including finishing sixth in 1984.

Although Karen Barber and Nicky Slater took bronze at European level and were once fifth at the World Championships, their career was overshadowed by Torvill and Dean.

As Karen Barber told This is Lancashire:

"Torvill and Dean came first in the British Championship six times....we finished runners-up the same number - now that must be some sort of record."

Karen Barber started figure skating when she was 14 and took gold in the UK National Junior Championships and silver at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

She toured with Torvill and Dean and also Holiday on Ice but has concentrated on coaching at the Blackburn Ice Arena.

Karen Barber got married to Stephen Pickavance, who works as a trainer on Dancing on Ice. They had known each other since their early twenties, however, in 2011, it was revealed that Karen Barber was in a relationship with Christopher Dean.

In 2013, Karen Barber returned to the judging panel of Dancing on Ice as well as continuing with her coaching role.

Karen Barber was appointed Head Coach on Dancing on Ice in 2024.