EX-STRICTLY star Artem Chigvintsev has been accused of threatening ‘to kill’ a former celebrity dance partner – years before his domestic violence arrest.
Yesterday, the Russian dancer, 42, was booked by cops in California after they were called to a “medical emergency” at a property.
He was taken in on domestic battery charges – after officers allegedly spotted suspected injuries at the scene – and released on £19,000 bail.
Following his arrest, reports have resurfaced surrounding claims made by his former Strictly partner Fern Britton.
The pair danced together on the BBC show in 2012 and finished in 10th place – Chigvintsev’s worst performance on the programme.
Fern previously told The Huffington Post: “He would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me.
“He was like, ‘Shut your face. Go home before I kill you’.
“I would say, ‘Oh please just kill me, it would be easier’. Or what was his other one? ‘If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.’ I thought, well I won’t correct him on that one.”
She said that while there were moments they got on, he ultimately lacked charm.
Two years prior to dancing with Fern, Chigvintsev won Strictly with actress Kara Tointon, who he would go on to have a romantic relationship with.
He now competes on US programme Dancing With The Stars and has become a well-known celebrity in the States, thanks in part to his marriage to WWE superstar Nikki Bella.
Details about his arrest were not immediately disclosed and the victim has not been named.
It is not yet clear who made the call to the emergency services. TMZ reported that paramedics and the fire department were on their way to the property when the medical request was cancelled.
Chigvintsev first appeared on Dancing with the Stars during the 18th season.
He was the first dancer to win the competition on both sides of the Atlantic, scooping the top prize in the America version with reality star Kaitlyn Bristowe in 2020.
The Russian dancer joined Strictly during series eight in 2010 when he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Kara.
He made it to the semi-final of the show in 2011, with actress Holly Valance as his partner, before he teamed up with TV veteran Fern in the 2012 series.
He was last partnered with Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede in 2013, with the pair securing the runner-up spot.
Chigvintsev has appeared in 12 seasons of Dancing with the Stars in total.
He most recently starred last year when he was paired with The Bachelorette star Charity Lawson.
It was during the competition’s 25th season that he met his wife, Nicole Garcia – a former WWE superstar and Hall of Famer who performed under the name Nikki Bella.
Chigvintsev announced their engagement in a social media posting 2019, captioning a romantic picture of him and Garcia, “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
“So excited for what’s to come I love you more than anything and thank you for saying Yes.”
At the time, Garcia wrote, “Excited for 2020 and the next decade with you @theartemc. I said yes in France in November!
“We have been trying to keep it a secret but really wanted to share our excitement for the New Year!”
The pair tied the knot in a ceremony in Paris on August 26, 2022.
Garcia released a four-part TV special in January 2023 that followed the couple throughout their wedding planning process.
The couple welcomed their son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, in July 2020.
Garcia and Chigvintsev previously told People that they hesitated about bringing their son into the limelight.
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
“We’ve always been very protective about – we don’t want Matteo to grow up on reality TV,” Garcia told the magazine last year.
The former WWE star told the magazine that she wants her son to decide in the future whether he wants to be on TV.
“Even though he’s in moments, we didn’t let him film a lot. Even in a series, we’re very protective of it,” she added.
“I definitely think there’s other parts of Artem and I that we could [explore].”
