Fear and Gibson’s uniqueness is present in their routines. As well as the Spice Girls compilation, their free programme is a tribute to Gibson’s Scottish roots with a mix of “The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond”, “Auld Lang Syne”, and The Proclaimers hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”. They worked with highland dance experts to perfect the choreography.
“They’re the hits!” Fear said of their musical tastes. “We started the season with a slower middle, but we changed it to an upbeat piece – they are crowd favourites.”
They are also not afraid to go against the figure skating mould off the ice. Gibson, who is gay, said at the Europeans that he would like to see same-sex partnerships allowed on the international stage in his event, adding his voice to a growing movement in favour of the change.
On the ice, they still have momentum. Since finishing 10th at Beijing 2022, Fear and Gibson have won the first World Championship medal for Great Britain in more than 40 years, were ranked first by the ISU after the 2024-25 season and have won continental medals at every opportunity.
“We’ve grown so much since Beijing, and to come into this season with the momentum we’ve built feels really meaningful,” Fear said.
“If I think back to four years ago the Olympics was such a huge thing,” Gibson added. “It was during Covid so it was even more heightened – you just want to make it there. Our biggest focus was just to get there and become Olympians but this time there doesn’t feel so much pressure.”
So, to Milan. Fear told their post-Sheffield news conference that they will fly out to Italy on 31 January for a few days of practice before the figure skating team event -followed by their big shot at a medal.
“There is a great respect amid the fun camaraderie,” said Cousins. “They have their own lives, that is very important for people who work in such a tight environment.
“And there is an amazing confidence – it is not arrogance, it is confidence, they carry that on to the ice when others don’t.
“The visibility is great, but to know how hard they have worked in the last few years – all we hope is that they step off the ice in Milan happy. What the judges decide to do is up to them. There is a chance [of a medal] – they must do their best and hope for the best.”
