Entertainment
Ex-Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev charged with domestic violence in California
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 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 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.