Sharing a Christmas smacker: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev pucker up under the mistletoe on Strictly special

By SARAH BULL

Getting stuck in: Kara looks as though she is thoroughly enjoying herself as she kisses her sexy Santa


They're the reality show couple who have kept viewers guessing for months about the status of their relationship.

But now Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev have once and for all confirmed they are a couple by sharing a kiss under the mistletoe for all to see on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The pair share a steamy clinch after taking part in a group dance which also features semi-finalists Pamela Stephenson, Gavin Henson, Matt Baker and Scott Maslen.

And a show insider said the crew had been stunned by the public display of affection, adding: 'No-one quite expected Kara to plant that much of a smacker on Artem - but did they really need the mistletoe?'

It's not the first time Kara and Artem have shared a kiss on the small screen, having locked lips just after winning the final of Strictly last weekend.

And former EastEnders star Kara kept speculation about their relationship going when asked if they were officially a couple.


Christmas kiss: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev share a clinch on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special


Kara replied coyly: '‘Fingers crossed. We will see what happens.’

The actress later told BBC Breakfast there has always been chemistry between the couple, from their very first meeting.

She said: 'We've got on like a house on fire all the way through, which is quite a big achievement in itself because it's intense and you do have low moments.

'Now we're out of the studio it will be nice to do some normal things like go to the cinema and the shops.'


Loved-up: Kara and Artem were seen out and about in north London earlier this week


And the pair are getting on so well that Artem, 28, who is staying at her family’s North London home, made dinner for her whole family after the show.

By getting to know each other on the show Kara revealed it was a strange situation to fall for someone.

She added: ‘It is just one of those weird things where you meet someone but it is not in a normal environment, there is no time to do anything sociable,’ she added.

'I hope we can continue to get on like we have done and I guess we will see what happens. We will chill out and probably go to a nice restaurant in the week I hope.'

The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special is on BBC1 on Saturday December 25 at 7pm.


Giggles all round: Kara laughs as she is interviewed on The Graham Norton Show


Group hug: Kara with Matt Smith, Matt Luca, David Walliams and Norton on the programme


Kara Tointon wins Strictly final


source: dailymail

Romance just beginning for Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev as they leave her home together following Strictly win

By BEN TODD and PAUL REVOIR

Happy couple: Kara Tointon and Artem can't stop smiling as they pose for a picture outside her parents London home early this morning


It’s very early days but things are looking bright for the new couple.

Kara Tointon and new beau Artem Chigvintsev were all smiles as they posed for a picture together outside her London home early this morning.

And they have no plans to separate any time soon as Artem has agreed to spend Christmas with Kara and her family at their North London home.

The professional dancer will be giving his girl plenty of TLC over the festive season as she was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Just hours after sharing a passionate, and very public, kiss with her new beau, Kara was being rushed to hospital by her father.

The 27-year-old former EastEnders star battled through the dance show final to take the title, despite being in agony with a torn ligament in her lower arm.


Beginning of a fine romance: The pair showed their feelings at the end of the competition


In fact Kara was only able to perform her waltz and American Smooth because she had taken strong painkillers by show bosses, The Sun has reported.

Kara injured herself during her second dance performance of the night performing to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now.

‘On the last two dances I couldn’t really move my arm. It was a weird experience not being able to move my arm, thank God it wasn’t my leg because that would have a been a disaster,’ Kara said.


Smiling through the pain: Kara battled injury to take the Strictly trophy


‘I hope we can continue to get on like we have done and I guess we will see what happens. We will chill out and probably go to a nice restaurant in the week I hope.’

Saturday night’s show drew 14.5million viewers at its peak, the highest ever for Strictly Come Dancing.

Miss Tointon and Chigvintsev impressed the judges with their four performances, which included the American Smooth and an energetic show dance.

After finding out they had beaten TV presenter Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani, she said: ‘The most special thing about this whole experience has been meeting Artem.

‘He is so special, he’s one of the...’, before her tears stopped her from continuing. She added: ‘I have made a friend for life.’


Kara Tointon wins Strictly Come Dancing final



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Waltzing off into the sunset? Strictly winner Kara Tointon and partner Artem finally let their guards down with a TV kiss

By SARAH BULL

Stolen kisses: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev kiss after being crowned the winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2010


They have been caught spending the night at each others houses and set tongues wagging with their obvious chemistry on the dance floor.

And after taking the crown last night, Strictly Come Dancing 2010 winners Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev appeared to confirm the romance their fans have been hoping for.

While celebrating their win last night, the excitement appeared to get the better of Artem, who dropped his guard and planted a kiss on his 27-year-old dance partner.


Winner: Kara Tointon and dance partner Artem Chigvintsev were tonight voted the winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2010


The pair have hinted at their affection for each other, but have remained coy on whether they are an item throughout the series.

Last night Kara said that now that the competition is over, they can concentrate on the future.

'Fingers crossed,' she said. 'We will see what happens.'

'We get on brilliantly and it will be nice to do normal things like go to the cinema or for a meal because we spend all our time in the studio.'

But the former EastEnders star won't be venturing too far for a little while, after it emerged she was taken to A&E this morning for an arm injury suffered during training.


Emotional: Kara, who recovering at home today with a wrist injury, spoke of her affection for partner Artem after winning


Kara was forced to dance through the pain last night to victory, but after the show she was whisked to hospital where it was revealed she had torn ligaments in her lower arm.

She is now recovering at her parents' house in North London with her arm in a sling, giving 28-year-old Artem the opportunity to take care of her.

'I think we are going to literally not go anywhere today. It'll be quite nice,' she said this morning.

'He's going to cook for me in my mum and dad's kitchen. They've met him and they all get on so well.'

And it seems Artem's family feel the same about Miss Tointon.


Welcome to the family: Artem's family have told how they approve of the former soap star for their son


Victory: Kara and Artem are congratulated by former contestants including Scott Maslen as they hold their trophy high


Celebration: Goldie holds Artem over his head as the Russian-born dancer celebrates his win


In an interview with the News of the World, his mother Anna spoke of her happiness about her son's new love interest.

Speaking from their home in Izhevsk, Mrs Chigvintsev, 60, said of Kara, who she has not yet met: 'She looks really great. They make a beautiful couple which fills my heart with pride and joy.

'I respect my son's choice. He's very fond of her, and she seems to like him too.'


The tension mounts: Kara and Artem and Matt and Aliona wait to find out who has won the competition


'I have made the most wonderful friend for life and this has been the most special experience of my life.

He returned the compliment, adding: 'Thank you, Kara, you're amazing.'

When she found out she and Artem had won, the former EastEnders star burst into tears before hugging Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani.

Despite falling at the final hurdle, finalist Matt said he was thrilled with the result, saying: 'It's been graet. I have absolutely thoroughly enjoyed tonight, and Kara and Artem are worthy winners. If I was at home, I would be voting for Kara as well.'


Final Results - Final Strictly Come Dancing 2010



source: dailymail