Former Strictly dancer Artem Chigvintsev will not face domestic violence charges

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev will not face charges after being arrested in the US on suspicion of domestic violence.

The professional dancer, who won the BBC competition in 2010 with her celebrity partner Kara Tointon, was arrested in August.

It is unclear what led to the arrest of Chigvintsev, who paid bail of £19,000 at the time.

Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said her office declined to file charges against the television star after a “thorough review of the criminal investigation and a careful evaluation of the evidence.”

“We take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence. However, we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when the evidence supports it,” Ms. Haley said in a statement.

“We are required to prove each and every criminal charge ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’ This is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system.

“If the available evidence does not meet this level of proof, it is ethically impossible for us to bring charges.”

The Russian dancer joined Strictly in 2010 during the eighth season and was partnered with former EastEnders actress Tointon, a relationship that developed into a real-life romance that lasted for several years.

The 42-year-old also made it to the semi-finals of the show in 2011 alongside actress Holly Valance before competing in the 2012 series alongside TV veteran Fern Britton.

He was last seen dating Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede in 2013, with the couple finishing in second place.

Chigvintsev later moved to the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, where he partnered with his future wife, WWE star Nikki Bella in 2017.

The couple has a son who was born in 2020, just hours before Nikki’s twin sister Brie Bella announced the arrival of her second child.

The siblings starred in the E! reality show Total Bellas for five years.

Nikki Bella and Chigvintsev got married in 2022.

Representatives of Chigvintsev were asked for comment.

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