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Fern Britton claims Strictly Come Dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev 'kicked and shoved' her in training and joked about killing her

Britton revealed that the Russian professional also told her to 'shut her face'

Thursday 04 June 2015 12:30 BST

Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev on the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour in 2013 (Getty Images)

Fern Britton has claimed that her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev would "kick" and "shove" her during their training sessions.

The TV presenter was speaking at an event for The Times when she recalled her 2012 experience on the BBC One ballroom dancing show.

Britton, 55, recounted how Chigvintsev would "look at her feet and just kick or shove" her before jokingly telling her to "shut her face" and "go home before I kill you".

"What was his other one? 'If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb'," she reportedly said. "I thought, well I won't correct him on that one."

Fern Britton hugs Artem Chigvintsev on Strictly Come Dancing (Rex Features)

Britton emphasised that the duo were friends "for a moment or two" while rehearsing but he "wasn't charm personified". They went on to finish tenth that series and Chigvintsev gave her "a big bunch of flowers".

"Even Artem said 'You made me a better person' and I got such lovely messages saying 'Go girl!'" she said shortly afterwards.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Show all 12

1/12Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Caroline Flack

Caroline Flack triumphed ahead of Frankie Bridge, Mark Wright and Simon Webbe to lift the 2014 Glitter Ball trophy with Pasha Kovalev.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Abbey Clancey

Model Abbey Clancy won the 2013 series with her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Louis Smith

Last year's winner was Olympic gymnastics bronze medallist Louis Smith, who took part fresh from the glory of the London games. He won Strictly with Flavia Cacace after Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh, Denise Van Outen and Danni Harmer challenged him in the final.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Harry Judd

McFly drummer Harry Judd and his partner Aliona Vilani took the trophy in 2011 after seeing off competition from Jason Donavan. He had previously won a Children in Need special of Strictly, in which he beat The Saturdays' Rochelle Wiseman to the title.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Kara Tointon

EastEnders star Kara Tointon was the second actress to win Strictly in 2010, partnered with debut professional Artem Chigvintsev. She has appeared in Pygmalion in the West End with Rupert Everett.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Chris Hollins

News presenter and sportsman Chris Hollins won in 2009 with Ola Jordan to beat actor Ricky Whittle to the crown. He managed to avoid the dance-off for the entirety of his run. He presented the BBC Breakfast sports news while appearing on Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Tom Chambers

Holby City actor Tom Chambers won in 2008 with Camilla Dallerup, who was competing in her last series of the show. Model Lisa Snowdon and S Club star Rachel Stevens lost out in the final. He currently stars in the West End.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Alesha Dixon

Singer and former Strictly judge Alesha Dixon was crowned champion of the 5th series in 2007. She won with Matthew Cutler after a close final with Matt Di Angelo. She holds the record for the highest average score in Strictly history with 36.5, despite never achieving a perfect 40 points. She joined the judging panel from 2009 to 2011 and is now on Britain's Got Talent.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Mark Ramprakash

Proving that cricketers can flourish on Strictly, Mark Ramprakash followed Darren Gough's footsteps to win Strictly in 2006 with dance partner Karen Hardy. Rugby player Matt Dawson lost out to him in the final.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Darren Gough

Cricketer Darren Gough won the third series with Lilia Kopylova, defeating athlete Colin Jackson and presenter Zoe Ball. Gough never finished top of the judges' leaderboard but was still crowned champion by the public! He now co-presents a talkSPORT radio show.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Jill Halfpenny

EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny won the second 2004 series with Darren Bennett after beating off competition from comedian Julian Clary and Olympian Denise Lewis. She still holds the highest score for a Jive in Strictly history, scoring the full 40 points from the judges. She now has a West End theatre career.

Strictly Come Dancing past winners

Natasha Kaplinsky

Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first winner to lift the glitterball trophy with her dance partner Brendan Cole in 2004, beating EastEnders actor Christopher Parker in the final.

Chigvintsev announced that he would be quitting Strictly Come Dancing last June to continue his work with Dancing with the Stars in the US.

He won Strictly in its eighth series with former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon, whom he dated for four years until last October.

Britton and Chigvintsev are yet to respond to our requests for comment.

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