Not since 1984, when Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won their fourth and final global title, have British skaters stood on a world podium in any discipline.

But Fear, 25, and Gibson, 30, finally ended that wait on Saturday with a total score of 207.11 points, having finished fourth at the previous two World Championships.

American favourites Madison Chock and Evan Bates defended their title while Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier took silver.

“I can’t even describe my feelings, I’m still shaking,” said Fear. “I’m in disbelief.”

Gibson added: “It’s a dream come true.”

Olympians Fear and Gibson are three-time European medallists and earlier this season claimed Britain’s first ever medal at the Grand Prix final.

In Boston, they had placed third after Friday’s rhythm dance but while their free dance routine – soundtracked by a trio of Beyonce hits – was judged the sixth best on Saturday, their combined score was enough to land them the greatest success of their careers to date.

Fellow Britons Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez placed 17th.

Earlier this month, Torvill said Fear and Gibson had “taken ice dancing in Great Britain to another level”.

The World Championships is a qualifying event for next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.