Strictly's Artem won't face domestic violence charges

Professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev will not face domestic violence charges after he was arrested in California, US authorities have confirmed.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star was booked into Napa County Jail in July.

The 42-year-old Russian professional dancer joined series eight of Strictly in 2010, winning that year with celebrity partner Kara Tointon, whom he dated for several years after the show.

Napa County District Attorney, Allison Haley, said that after a "thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence", charges will not be bought against Chigvintsev.

"While we take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence, we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence," Ms Haley said in a statement.

"We are required to prove any and every criminal charge 'beyond a reasonable doubt' which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system.

"If the available evidence doesn't rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges."

Haley noted that the the district attorney's office “may revisit the case if it learns of other incidents or otherwise learns of facts or evidence not previously known.”

Online jail records said Chigvintsev was arrested under section 273.5(a) of the California penal code - corporal injury to spouse.

The section covers traumatic injury to a current or former spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence.

The offence can be charged either as a misdemeanour or a felony, the latter allowing for a sentence of up to four years in jail.

The star posted a $25,000 (£19,000) bond and was reportedly released later on Thursday afternoon.

It is not clear whether Chigvintsev's wife is in any way involved.

Since 2014 Chigvintsev has been appearing regularly on Dancing With The Stars, the US version of Strictly.

In 2017 he was partnered with his future wife - WWE star Nikki Bella.

The pair have 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.