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Former Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev has been charged with domestic violence in the US.

The Russian dancer, who won the BBC competition in 2010 with celebrity partner Kara Tointon, was arrested on Thursday morning in California.

Officer Henry Wofford from Napa County Sheriff’s Office told Sky News’ partner network NBC that Chigvintsev was detained after police responded to a domestic violence call in the town of Yountville shortly after 10am local time (6pm UK time).

It was apparent that there was “potential abuse”, according to Mr Wofford.

The 42-year-old dancer was taken to the Napa County Department of Correction, where he was charged and released on bail of $25,000 (£19,000).

Details about potential injuries could not be disclosed but Mr Wofford said a felony domestic violence arrest is made when injuries are visible or noticeable to deputies – although the investigation is ongoing.

Artem Chigvintsev outside Dancing With The Stars Rehearsals in Los Angeles, California on October 6, 2022. Pic: AP/BauerGriffin/MediaPunch /IPX
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Artem Chigvintsev outside Dancing With The Stars rehearsals in Los Angeles in 2022. Pic: AP/BauerGriffin/MediaPunch/IPX

No details have been released about the alleged victim or their relationship to Chigvintsev, whose representatives have not responded to reporters.

The dancer joined Strictly during series eight in 2010 when he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Tointon, a relationship which blossomed into a real-life romance for several years.

The 42-year-old Russian also made it to the semi-final of the show in 2011 with actress Holly Valance, before he was partnered with TV veteran Fern Britton in the 2012 series.

He was last partnered with Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede in 2013, with the pair securing the runner-up spot in the competition.

Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev during a photocall for the Strictly Come Dancing live tour in Birmingham, in 2013. Pic: Rui Vieira/PA
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Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev during a photo call for Strictly Come Dancing. Pic: Rui Vieira/PA

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Chigvintsev later moved to the US version of Strictly – Dancing With The Stars – where in 2017 he was partnered with his future wife, WWE star Nikki Garcia, also known as Nikki Bella.

The couple have a son, who was born in 2020 just hours before Nikki’s twin sister Brie Garcia (aka Brie Bella) announced the arrival of her second child.

The siblings starred in the E! reality show Total Bellas for five years.

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Garcia and Chigvintsev previously said they found out they were expecting just two-and-a-half weeks after getting engaged in Paris, and they married in 2022.

His arrest comes days after he and his wife celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary.

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter upheld, including one of unwanted physical contact

An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has found that more than half of the allegations against him have been substantiated, including one of “unwanted physical contact”.

MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK shared a summary of its report into historical allegations of misconduct against the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin over seven months.

The report also said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.

The investigation heard evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants.

There were 83 allegations against Wallace, and 45 of them were substantiated. All were related to MasterChef.

While the majority of the substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated.

One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.

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Nearly all the allegations against Wallace were related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with just one substantiated allegation taking place post-2018.

Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
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Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014

Ahead of the publication of the summary, Wallace had said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him.

Additionally, the report summary found that there were also 10 standalone allegations about other people between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which were substantiated. Those people were not named in the summary.

The investigation found that complaints had previously been raised with the production company between 2005 and 2024.

Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
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Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024

While the report flagged inadequate reporting procedures prior to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine ahead of Banijay acquiring Endemol Shine in 2020, it said there were significant improvements to HR processes and training after 2016.

While the investigation said some formal action was taken by the BBC in 2017, it also noted the corporation held no information regarding concerns raised over Wallace centrally, resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.

Sky News has tried to contact Gregg Wallace for contact today.

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Man arrested for alleged sexual assault ‘on set of EastEnders’

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Man arrested for alleged sexual assault 'on set of EastEnders'

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and sexual assault – which reportedly took place on the set of EastEnders.

The alleged incident happened on the set of the BBC soap at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, according to The Sun newspaper.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man in his 50s was arrested after the report in Eldon Avenue, Borehamwood, on 7 May.

The man is accused of sexual assault and common assault in relation to two victims, the force said.

The suspect is on bail while inquiries continue, police added.

EastEnders said in a statement: “While we would never comment on individuals, EastEnders has on-site security and well-established procedures in place to safeguard the safety and welfare of everyone who works on the show.”

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BST Hyde Park’s final day cancelled as Jeff Lynne’s ELO pulls out of headline slot

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BST Hyde Park's final day cancelled as Jeff Lynne's ELO pulls out of headline slot

BST Hyde Park festival has cancelled its final night after Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra pulled out of the headline slot.

Lynne, 77, was due to play alongside his band on Sunday but has been forced to withdraw from the event following a “systemic infection”.

The London show was supposed to be a “final goodbye” from ELO following their farewell US tour.

Organisers said on Saturday that Lynne was “heartbroken” at being unable to perform.

A statement read: “Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule.

“The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today – and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.”

They later confirmed the whole of Sunday’s event would be cancelled.

“Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details,” another statement said.

Stevie Wonder played the festival on Saturday – now its final event of 2025.

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US rock band The Doobie Brothers and blues rock singer Steve Winwood were among those who had been due to perform to before ELO’s headline performance.

The cancellation comes after the band, best known for their hit Mr Blue Sky, pulled out of a performance due to take place at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on Thursday.

ELO was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne, multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan.

They first split in 1986, before frontman Lynne resurrected the band in 2014.

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