Strictly star’s partner granted restraining order after ‘brutal attack in front of son’

Nikki Garcia has been granted a restraining order against former Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev.

The former WWE star filed for divorce from the dancer – who was also a professional on Dancing With The Stars – last month, a few weeks after he was arrested on domestic violence charges.

The charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence, and Artem has now been told to stay away from her after she submitted a sworn declaration detailing the alleged abuse she suffered.

In her petition, which was obtained by TMZ, Nikki alleged he ‘tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present’.

The 40-year-old star claimed that since her estranged husband was dropped from Dancing with the Stars, he had grown ‘increasingly angry’, often ‘snapping’ and ‘yelling’ at her, and they had had discussions about him needing to control his anger.

On the morning of his arrest on 29 August, Nikki claimed the 42-year-old star had screamed at her for making their four-year-old son Matteo a ‘picky eater’ in a row rowed over how the little boy’s English muffin should be toasted.

Becoming overwhelmed, Nikki said she threw Matteo’s shoes towards Artem and they hit his leg, but so lightly it wouldn’t have hurt, and he allegedly grabbed Matteo and ran upstairs with him while the youngster screamed out for his mom.

The Total Bellas star claimed that as she tried to get in the room, Artem opened the door and tackled her to the ground, grabbing her arms and holding her down for around 30 seconds before he went back into Matteo’s room and closed the door.

When she tried again to push it open, the dancer allegedly came back out and pushed her across the hall to their bedroom, forcing her to the floor in their bathroom.

Nikki claimed she felt like she was suffocating as Artem had his hands on her chest and was pressing down, so she grabbed at his neck in an attempt to get him off.

When police arrived, Matteo told them: ‘Daddy hurt my hand.’

And Nikki alleged it wasn’t the first time Artem had been physically violent towards her as in mid-23 he ‘violently grabbed’ her around the waist to keep her away from their son.

She also claimed numerous instances of verbal abuse and called for her estranged husband to get help with anger management and therapy.

The judge has prohibited Artem from contacting or going within 100 yards of Nikki and Matteo, except for visitation or exchange of the little boy as per court-ordered visits.

A judge denied a request from the former wrestler to leave the US with Matteo as she wanted to go to London to film a project, but the situation will be reviewed at a full hearing on 21 October.

Although Artem hasn’t been living in the family home since his arrest, the judge would not grant a ‘move-out order’ until after the next hearing.

A spokesperson for Nikki told TMZ: ‘Due to the incident that led to Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son.

‘Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected.

‘Nikki’s number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received and continues to ask for privacy for her and her family during this difficult time.’

Artem joined Strictly in 2010 and won the competition with former girlfriend and EastEnders actress Kara Tointon.

The dancer was then partnered with Holly Valance in 2011, Fern Britton in 2012, and Coronation Street’s Natalie Gumede in 2013 – with whom he secured the runner-up spot.

In 2017, the dancer moved to the US show Dancing With The Stars, and was partnered with Nikki.

They announced their engagement two years later, before welcoming their son into the world in 2020, and then tying the knot in August 2022.

Following the domestic violence charges being dropped, Artem recently said he was ‘incredibly relieved and grateful’, insisting it has been ‘an extremely difficult time’.

He added that his priority is their son Matteo, saying: ‘All along, my main concern has been for him. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Artem Chigvintsev’s representative for comment.