Former Strictly star arrested on suspicion of domestic violence

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in the United States, according to prison records.

He was booked into Napa County Jail in California on Thursday morning.

The 42-year-old Russian professional dancer took part in the eighth season of Strictly in 2010 and won that year alongside celebrity dance partner Kara Tointon.

Since 2014, he has appeared regularly on Dancing With The Stars, the American version of the show.

Online jail records show Mr. Chigvintsev was arrested under California Penal Code Section 273.5(a) – corporal injury to a spouse.

This section covers traumatic injuries to a current or former spouse, cohabitant, or cohabiting parent in an act of domestic violence. The offense may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, the latter punishable by up to four years in prison.

It is unclear whether Mr Chigvintsev’s current wife had anything to do with the incident.

In 2022, he married World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star Nikki Bella, whom he met on Dancing With The Stars in 2017.

Bella retired from wrestling and changed her name to Nikki Garcia.

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