IN THEIR FIRST PHOTOS AND INTERVIEW ‘STRICTLY’ CHAMPIONS KARA TOINTON AND ARTEM CHIGVINTSEV REVEAL ALL ABOUT THEIR DEEPENING LOVE OFF THE DANCE FLOOR ARTEM’S SHIRT: JOE CASELY HAYFORD FOR JOHN LEWIS HAYFORD JOE CASELY SHIRT: ARTEM’S e’s a mysterious, laid-back during time off from the Strictly live after the series had ended as they HRussian and she’s a beautiful, tour. “We were getting to know each wanted to focus on their dancing. vivacious actress. Together Strictly other and I thought, ‘Oh God, I “I would hate to regret not working Come Dancing winners Artem really like him,’” she adds. my hardest,” says Kara. “I was scared Chigvintsev and Kara Tointon have Two weeks into their training, they after that. I thought, ‘Oh no, is it captivated us with their unfolding decided to take some time out with a going to be weird? Say it goes wrong love story. Now, in their first exclusive cinema break. “I think you made the and we have to work together so interview as a couple, they reveal how first move,” laughs likable Kara, 27. closely?’ But what’s so amazing about their romance is blossoming – they “I held her hand,” says Artem, 28. Artem is he’s so chilled and cool that are making plans to move in together “Then we kissed after that,” adds nothing is really a problem.” – and that they secretly fell for each Kara, who’s clearly smitten. “Artem’s The couple first crossed paths other just two weeks into the show. the one person I’ve really been able during rehearsals for the launch “I knew pretty quick that I’d met to be myself with. I totally feel he show’s group dance, when they someone special,” says ex-EastEnders brings out the best in me.” didn’t know whether they would be 24 actress Kara, as Artem holds her In spite of their immediate paired with each other. “I thought he hand. They are chatting to !"##$% at chemistry, the couple agreed that was pretty gorgeous,” admits ▲ the Crazy Bear hotel in Beaconsfield they wouldn’t officially date until Kara, who was the one to KARA’S TOP: ALICE + OLIVIA AT OXYGEN BOUTIQUE. SKIRT: TARA JARMON. HEADBAND: JENNIFER BEHR AT COCHINECHINE. RING: TALLULAH TU. COCHINECHINE. RING: TALLULAH JARMON. HEADBAND: JENNIFER BEHR AT TARA OXYGEN BOUTIQUE. SKIRT: TOP: ALICE + OLIVIA AT KARA’S PHOTO: BBC HELLO1159p024a028.indd 24 22/1/11 01:50:04 ‘I knew pretty quick that I’d met someone special. I thought, “Oh God, I really like him”’ Kara There was immediate chemistry between ex-EastEnders actress Kara and Russian-born dancer Artem (together far left, winning Strictly Come 25 Dancing in December) but they agreed not to date until the series ended so they could focus on their dancing HELLO1159p024a028.indd 25 22/1/11 01:50:30 ‘I practically love absolutely every single aspect of Kara’ Artem HINE. ARTEM’S JACKET: TOPMAN. SHIRT: RIVER ISLAND. RIGHT: ARTEM’S SWEATER: JOE CASELY HAYFORD FOR JOHN LEWIS LEWIS JOHN FOR HAYFORD CASELY JOE SWEATER: ARTEM’S RIGHT: ISLAND. RIVER SHIRT: TOPMAN. JACKET: ARTEM’S HINE. introduce herself. She certainly wasn’t looking for romance as she was so nervous about the weeks ahead. “I had been adamant that I wasn’t going to have a relationship,” she says. “But then you can’t help it when you meet someone like him.” Artem has spent the past seven years living and working in the US and has appeared in So You Think You Can Dance?, the American version of Strictly, but was new to the BBC show. He was attracted to Kara straight away but was too shy to say hello. “I thought, ‘I’m going to look stupid,’” he says. Kara turns to Artem and says: “You’re a listener and an observer, which I found quite mysterious. I’m the complete opposite.” Opposites clearly attract and they make a loving and good-looking couple. “He has a calming effect,” (LEFT) KARA’S TOP: ARYN K. SKIRT: ALICE + OLIVIA AT OXYGEN BOUTIQUE. CUFF & HAIRCLIP: CHANEL. BANGLE: JENNIFER BEHR AT COCHINEC OXYGEN BOUTIQUE. CUFF & HAIRCLIP: CHANEL. BANGLE: JENNIFER BEHR AT ALICE + OLIVIA AT K. SKIRT: TOP: ARYN (LEFT) KARA’S says Kara, who affectionately calls The look of love… Kara, 27, and Artem, 28, enjoy time at the Crazy Bear Beaconsfield, a former 15th- him “honey”. “If I have a problem, century coaching inn, during a break from the Strictly tour. The loved-up pair plan to live together in Kara’s he’s the first to talk it through with new London flat. “Long may it continue,” smiles Kara of their romance. “I couldn’t be happier” HELLO1159p024a028.indd 26 22/1/11 01:50:37 me. He makes sure I’m okay, never He concedes there’s one thing he lets me carry a bag. I’ve never really doesn’t like. “She always takes a long met a gentleman like that before.” time to get ready,” he smiles. Kara, who was born in Basildon, “Do I, honey?” asks Kara in mock Essex, says this relationship feels surprise. special. “It’s like I’ve got my best The intensity of the Strictly friend here who can guide and help schedule, which involves training for me; and it’s so nice to have someone an average of six days a week, means who has your best interests at heart. they got to know each other quicker Every time I’ve arrived at a station or than most couples. “After a month, an airport he’s waiting with flowers.” Artem said it was the equivalent to us being together six months,” says Kara. ‘WOW, HE’S GOOD!’ They saw one another stressed Artem also has the enviable skill of and tired, so any barriers were being able to buy perfect gifts. “For quickly broken down. “I was so upset Christmas, he bought me my first because I didn’t want him to see this Dior item – a handbag,” beams Kara. horrible side, with me screaming,” “I thought, ‘Wow, he’s good!’” says Kara. “I said, ‘This isn’t nice, is Which of Kara’s qualities is Artem it? I really like you but you’re seeing most attracted to? “I love many things,” the devil. This can’t be attractive.’ he says. “She’s the most kind person “He sat me down and said, ‘We all I’ve ever met and takes care of me all have a side when we’re stressed and the time like no one has before. you’re seeing that side of me, too.’” She’s smart, she knows what she’s Kara is extremely close to her 27 doing. I practically love absolutely family and introduced Artem ▲ every single aspect of her.” to her parents Ken and Carol DRESS: OXYGEN BOUTIQUE. SLIP DRESS: BEBAROQUE. SHIRT: DS DUNDEE DRESS: OXYGEN BOUTIQUE. SLIP BEBAROQUE. SHIRT: HELLO1159p024a028.indd 27 22/1/11 01:50:53 ‘It’s been my dream to meet someone my family would love as much as I did’ Kara done that,” says Artem, who also had a two-year relationship with Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “I want to leave it all behind because it creates more mess and more bad feelings.” “By the time that story came out, we’d told each other everything,” says Kara, who has previously dated fellow EastEnders actor Joe Swash, with whom she split last May, as well as James Alexandrou and ex-Busted singer James Bourne. “But it did make me feel a little bit down,” adds Artem, dismissing his ex- wife’s story. “I think it’s not morally correct to do that,” says Kara. “The people in my past would never do it. I know how Artem felt and it affects you momentarily but you have to rise above it.” The pair are now concentrating on their own romance and plan to set up home in North London. They are renovating a flat Kara bought and plan to get a Savannah cat. “Artem loves cats,” says Kara. “I’ve already got my dog Winston, who Artem says I’ve spoilt, which I have, so as long as our cat gets on with Winston…” FIRST LOVE When the tour ends, they will go on LEVI’S SHOES: DUNDEE. DS CARDIGAN: HARTFORD. TROUSERS: & SHIRT ARTEM’S POLLY. PRETTY THROUGHOUT: holiday and Kara hopes to return to her first love: acting. “My ambition has always been to do more theatre so I’m going for a few meetings. I love singing so a play or a musical would be great.” They may also spend a few months in Los Angeles, as Artem may not be able to get a UK work visa for a full year. “I could get a holiday visa for a few months but I’m a workaholic, so not being able to work would be quite hard,” he says. Would Kara audition for roles in America? “It’s something I’ve never thought about,” she says. “If there was an audition, I would go for it. But I’m not aiming to crack America.” Artem, who has appeared in the West End and Broadway in dance Did any of the good-looking pair’s Strictly colleagues realise a romance was blossoming? “Patsy Kensit,” show Burn the Floor, has also acted, says Kara. “I’m really close to her and she noticed something. And Tina [O’Brien] and Goldie. I said how taking a role in US teen drama The much I liked Artem but I didn’t want to gush about it on TV.