Artem Chigvintsev was once accused of “kicking and shoving” one of his former dance partners before his domestic violence arrest.
Fern Britton, who was partnered with the pro dancer during her time on BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2012, recalled the time she spent with Chigvintsev during an event for the Times in 2015.
“[Artem] would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me,” the British television presenter, 67, claimed at the time, per HuffPost UK.
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Britton recalled him allegedly saying, “‘You just stand there and don’t move; I dance round you.'”
The author alleged that Chigvintsev would threaten her. “He was like, ‘Shut your face. Go home before I kill you,'” she claimed.
“I would say, ‘Oh please, just kill me, it would be easier.’ Or what was his other one? ‘If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.’ I thought, ‘Well, I won’t correct him on that one.'”
Fern said that though she and Chigvintsev “did love each other for a moment or two,” he was not “charm personified.”
The “Dancing With the Stars” pro denied Britton’s claims, telling the Daily Express, “I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am.
“I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me.”
Britton’s comments came nine years before Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic violence in Napa Valley, Calif., on Thursday.
The Emmy-nominated choreographer’s bail was set at $25,000, per online records seen by .
It’s unclear whether his wife, Nikki Garcia, was involved in the alleged altercation, however, the retired professional wrestler, 40, posted a video of herself getting a facial in Napa Valley the day prior.
Following Chigvintsev’s arrest, a source told there “were no plans” for him to return for Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars,” which premieres on ABC next month.
Chigvintsev and Garcia tied the knot in August 2022 and share son Matteo, 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 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.
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