Artem Chigvintsev was once accused of ‘kicking and pushing’ dance partner before domestic violence arrest
Artem Chigvintsev was accused of “kicking and pushing” his former dance partner before his arrest on domestic violence charges.
Fern Britton, who was with the professional dancer during his time on BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2012, recalled her time with Chigvintsev during an event for The Times in 2015.
,[Artem] “He would look at my legs and kick me or push me,” the 67-year-old British television presenter claimed at the time, according to HuffPost UK.
Britten recalled that he reportedly said, “‘You just stand there and don’t move; I’ll dance around you.'”
The writer alleged that Chigvintsev would threaten her. “He would say, ‘Shut your mouth. Go home before I kill you,'” she claimed.
“I used to say, ‘Oh please, just kill me, it’ll be easier.’ Or what was his other one? ‘If you go have a cup of tea now, I’ll blow up like an atomic bomb.’ I thought, ‘Well, I’m not going to correct him on this.’”
Fern said that although she and Chigvintsev “loved each other for a moment or two”, he was not “the epitome of attraction”.
The “Dancing With the Stars” pro denied Britton’s claims, telling the Daily Express: “I believe I treated Ferne with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are completely contrary to what I believe and my personality.
“I can’t imagine what the reason is behind such statements, which is a shock to me.”
Britton’s comments came nine years after Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic violence in Napa Valley, California, on Thursday.
The Emmy Award-nominated choreographer’s bail was set at $25,000, according to online records viewed by Page Six.
It’s unclear whether his wife Nikki Garcia was involved in the alleged altercation, however, the 40-year-old retired professional wrestler posted a video of herself getting a facial in Napa Valley a day earlier.
Following Chigvintsev’s arrest, a source told Page Six that there were “no plans” for him to return for Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars,” which premieres next month on ABC.
Chigvintsev and Garcia married in August 2022 and have a son, Mateo, whom they welcomed in July 2020.
On Monday, the couple, who met while competing together on Season 25 of “DWTS” in 2019, celebrated their second anniversary on Monday.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
