Former Strictly pro champion arrested on suspicion of domestic violence

He was arrested in the US yesterday

Jail records show that professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev was booked into Napa County jail in California on Thursday morning.

The 42-year-old Russian joined series eight of Strictly in 2010 and won that year with his celebrity partner Kara Tointon.

He went on to partner Fern Britton, Holly Valance and Natalie Gumede before leaving the show in 2014.

He faced accusations in 2015 that he ‘kicked’ and ‘shoved’ Britton during rehearsals, something which he strongly denied.

Since leaving Strictly he has appeared regularly on the US version of the show called Dancing With The Stars.

Records show Chigvintsev was arrested under section 273.5(a) of the California penal code – corporal injury to spouse.

The section covers traumatic injury to a current or former spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. 

The offence can be treated as a misdemeanour or a felony, with the latter resulting in a sentence of up to four years in prison.

The dancer posted a $25,000 (£19,000) bond and was reportedly released on Thursday afternoon.

Chigvintsev married World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star Nikki Bella in 2022 after meeting her on Dancing With The Stars in 2017.

It is not known whether Bella was involved in the incident that saw Chigvintsev arrested.

The couple recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary and have a son together.

Bella left WWE in 2023 and changed her name to Nikki Garcia. She currently hosts the Barmageddon game show.