‘It’s the end of an era’ say emotional Dick and Angel Strawbridge as Channel 4 stars issue family update to fans
IT’S a very emotional time for Dick and Angel Strawbridge.
They are best known as the stars of hit Channel 4 series Escape To The Chateau.
The programme followed the Essex couple as they left their humble home in the UK in favour of an abandoned chateau in France.
Fans fell in love with the family as they found resourceful ways of modernising the home and bringing the castle back to its former glory.
Now they are embarking on a new challenge as their kids, Arthur, 11, and Dorothy, 10, have just finished school for the summer.
But the duo revealed that this is their last week at their primary school in the village before they set off on a new educational adventure.
Speaking on their podcast, Dick & Angel’s Chat…Eau, Angel, 46, could not help but get emotional as she started to reflect on her children and their latest milestone.
She said: “This week, it has been quite an exciting week, some would say.”
This was before Dick, 64, chimed in: “We have come to the end! It is the end of an era within the family!”
Angel then couldn’t help but cut him off as the realisation of the significant moment dawned.
She exclaimed: “Don’t make me cry … I am in a good place!”
Her husband then started to become reminiscent of his own school days as he reflected on the progression of his children.
“When we are coming to the end of this particular bit! Do you remember your last couple of weeks of school before the holidays and how it was so relaxed and there was no urgency, it was very gentle,” he explained.
“Sunny days, going to school with no pressure, if you are doing your GCSE’s or A-Levels then there are some exam pressures but most of the time coming up towards summer it was the big holiday is coming.”
Angel wanted to emphasise what an incredible time it has been for their famous family, as she remarked: “I think that we are at the end of that kind of vibe and it has been incredible. This is the last week of school.”
This was when the former army officer remembered when they first crossed the English Channel for the hit show.
Don’t make me cry, I am in a good place!
Angel Strawbridge
“Arthur’s last week in the primary school in the village! If you watched Escape to the Chateau you would have seen mummy taking her three year-old-along,” he sweetly remembered.
“He learnt how to ask to go to the toilet and that is the only French that he spoke.
“Mummy took her little boy along and gave him to the class, tears running down her face. Arthur was the biggest by a long way!” Dick recalled.
Angel then interrupted again to treasure the time she has spent with her son and daughter as they have grown up.
[Arthur] learnt how to ask to go to the toilet and that is the only French that he spoke.
Dick Strawbridge
“This morning, he gave me a kiss, he was there and Dorothy was in the bedroom as well getting some clothes out,” she claimed.
“Arthur gave me a kiss and Dorothy said ‘Gosh, get this Skyscraper out the way!’ Arthur is so tall!”
However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as the parents are planning to have a huge celebration with teachers and fellow parents at their beloved mansion, Chateau de la Motte Husson.
Angel explained: “We have got a really busy week, on Friday the end of the week we have got this Boom which is a big party at the Orangery, it’s the whole year, it’s the parents, teachers, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
In a previous chat with News UK’s Virgin Radio, Dick previously revealed what’s coming next for the children.
“Arthur is now starting college in September, big school, and we were a little bit concerned because he hasn’t even started yet.
“We’ve never had any problems with Dorothy and Arthur while they’ve been at primary school because the headmistress there always says, ‘It’s education, take them away, they will learn so much from travelling around the place!’ We were worried about senior school but he [the headmaster] said yes, go for it!”
Who are Dick and Angel Strawbridge?
The TV couple shot to fame in 2016 when their series Escape to the Chateau launched on Channel 4.
Running for nine series, it followed Dick and Angel as they renovated their 19th century French mansion.
They have two children together, Arthur and Dorothy, who featured in the show
It quickly became a fan-favourite show of the schedule as millions tuned in to see the couple tackle each corner of their 45-bedroom chateau.
Escape to the Chateau came to a natural end in October 2022 by mutual agreement between Channel 4 and Dick and Angel.
Despite the broadcaster and the pair working together on other projects, they were axed from the channel following a recording leaking appearing to capture Angel in a foul-mouthed exchange with a producer.