Escape To The Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge said they’ve had “a humbling couple of days” after their shock departure from Channel 4.
The couple were fired by the network “after a review” of their behavior and allegations of bullying and clashes.
But Angel, 45, and Dick, 63, are determined to focus on new territories as they welcomed 1,000 fans to their home in France and posted their 2024 tour on Instagram.
The Strawbridges reported on the latest happenings at the castle following their spectacular exit.
They wrote: “A big hello to this wonderful Wednesday!” It’s been a depressing few days here for us and our team.
Fans: ‘Escape To The Chateau’ stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge said they’ve had ‘a humbling few days’ following their shock Channel 4 exit
“1,000 chateau hugs…1,000 cakes, lots of champagne in teacups, lots of smiles and two proposals of marriage took place at our biggest event ever.”
“It took 15 months from invitation to execution, but our postponed meet and greet from last year’s theater tour has finally taken place.”
“We can’t thank you enough for coming all the way to us. It was amazing and will be a talking point for years to come!”
Fans who visited the castle shared their experiences with Dick and Angel in the comments section.
One wrote: “My husband and I went there yesterday. It was an amazing day. Angel, Dick and the whole team did their best to make it a wonderful experience. Thank you very much’.
Another added, “There aren’t enough words to describe how amazing it was.” I kept pinching myself because I couldn’t believe we were there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Love you all, a wonderfully warm and welcoming family and team. I’ve booked to see you on tour next year and I’m excited.’
It was revealed last month that the couple were fired from Channel 4 “after an investigation” into their behaviour.
Channel 4 launched an independent investigation after production company Two Rivers Media raised concerns about the Strawbridges and announced they were no longer working with them.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: “Following a review we have decided not to work with Dick and Angel on any new productions going forward.”
Busy: “It’s been a humbling few days here for us and our team.” “1,000 chateau hugs…1,000 cakes, lots of sparkling wine in teacups, lots of smiles and two proposals,” they said
End: The couple were fired by Channel 4 “following an investigation” into their behavior and allegations of bullying and clashes
Wonderful: Fans who visited the castle shared their experiences with Dick and Angel in the comments section
The series made the couple a household name, as 2.5 million viewers regularly turned up to watch the renovation of their 19th-century Château de la Motte-Husson in Martigen-sur-Mayenne, France.
It was previously produced by production company Spark Media Partners, who oversaw the first four seasons from 2016 to 2018. However, due to a feud, ties with the Strawbridges were reportedly severed as well.
A Channel 4 representative said: “Channel 4 takes an active role in tackling unacceptable behavior in our industry.”
“Following a review of our processes in 2021, we have made it easier to file complaints, both formally and informally.
“We require all our manufacturing partners to follow our Supplier Code of Conduct. When concerns are raised with us, they are taken seriously and action is taken to ensure they are investigated and appropriately addressed.”
“There is always more to do and together with our suppliers we are committed to creating safe, inclusive and professional working environments.”
Speaking up: Just hours after the footage broke, Angel and Dick took to Instagram to thank fans for their support of the show and insisted the move to end the show was a “family decision”.
Speaking up: They added that their future “really couldn’t look more exciting” despite being severed from Channel 4
In recent weeks, Angel and Dick have been branded ‘spiky’, ‘fickle’ and ‘a nightmare to work with’ amid their feud with Channel 4 after the channel confirmed they had cut ties with the pair .
Sources close to the couple told Web their behavior on set had nothing to do with their “amazing” roles on screen.
Insiders added that they couldn’t hide their “real characters” from the crew members who spent weeks filming the popular show in north-west France with them.
It was also suggested that Channel 4’s cancellation of the hit show was “comfortable” considering the series, which had been on screen for seven years and spawned numerous spin-offs, had come to an end.
A source said, “Dick and Angel seem like the most gorgeous and loveable couple on screen, literally like butter doesn’t melt, but off screen they’re not.”
“It’s a full show, the production runs at their castle for weeks so they can’t hide their real characters – you can’t turn them on for two hours of recording and then go back to their true selves.”
“They’re just prickly and erratic people, and as you can imagine, they’re a nightmare to work with.”
Angel later spoke up after leaked audio footage surfaced of her foul-mouthing the producers.
In the 2021 recording obtained by Deadline, the star can be heard telling a producer that she’s “mad” at her, before branding her a “fucking little bitch.”
Just hours after the footage broke, Angel and Dick took to Instagram to thank fans for their support of the show and insisted the move to end the show was a “family decision.”
They wrote, “Thank you for inviting us into your living room.” You’ve watched our children grow and shared our adventures.
“It was a decision made by the Strawbridge family early last year to complete Escape to the Chateau, but savoring every moment and refusing to give up our dream despite the many challenges, we have filled the castle with love and love that we have.” laughed a lot and above all created the most beautiful home for our family.
“There are two sides to every story and most of you know that because of the incredible support we’ve received.”
“We’re proud of who we are and we feel like we have to do what we think is right. This is what made Escape to the Chateau unique and while we have indeed parted ways with Channel 4 we are very grateful to him.” We thank them and their teams for their support and creativity over the years.
“The future really couldn’t look more exciting and we thank you for your continued love and support.”
A representative for Angel and Dick Strawbridge declined to comment further to Web.