Former Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in California. The dancer, who won the BBC competition in 2010 with Kara Tointon, was booked into Napa County Jail on Thursday morning, as per online jail records. The arrest occurred shortly after Chigvintsev celebrated his two-year wedding anniversary with his wife, WWE star Nikki Bella. Further details about the case are pending.
Artem Chigvintsev shared a heartfelt post on Instagram on Tuesday, celebrating his two-year wedding anniversary with WWE star Nikki Bella. He wrote: “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life without you. You are my everything.”
Chigvintsev, who joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and won the competition with Kara Tointon, had a brief romantic relationship with the actress after their time on the show.
Artem Chigvintsev, 42, who also competed in the US version of Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With The Stars, was partnered with Nikki Bella in 2017. The couple married in 2022 and have a son born in 2020. They announced their engagement in Paris just two-and-a-half weeks before discovering they were expecting.
Chigvintsev’s recent arrest on suspicion of domestic violence in California remains unexplained, with bail set at $25,000 (£19,000). Representatives for Chigvintsev have been contacted for further comment.
