Dick and Angel Strawbridge have shared a rare family photograph on Instagram, marking the start of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. This heartwarming snapshot comes four years after the couple departed from their beloved television series, Escape to the Chateau. The image features Dick, aged 66, and Angel, 47, beaming alongside their children, Arthur, 12, and Dorothy, 11, as well as Angel's parents, Stephen and Jenny. The family gathered at the entrance of their sprawling French chateau for this special moment.
A Sweet Family Selfie Captures Three Generations
Posting the image to their family Instagram account, the Strawbridges accompanied it with a touching caption: 'Family selfie taken right here…right now in our Forever Home! 3 generations enjoying a sunny spring evening ❤️'. This rare public appearance of the entire family follows several months of preparation for their television return. The couple recently enjoyed a heartwarming reunion with a longtime crew member, hinting at the positive developments behind the scenes.
Television Comeback After Controversial Axing
The popular Channel 4 show, which aired 50 episodes across nine seasons, was dramatically axed in 2022. This decision followed allegations of behind-the-scenes bust-ups and bullying behaviour. Channel 4 issued a statement at the time, confirming: 'Following a review, we have taken the decision not to work with Dick and Angel on any new productions in the future.' The controversy stemmed from a leaked recording in which Angel used strong language towards a producer, branding him a 'F***ed up little c**t'.
Now, with their children happily settled into college life, Dick and Angel have announced they are filming Series 10 of Escape to the Chateau. They revealed this news on Instagram in November, with the Daily Mail having first reported plans for their TV return the prior month. The couple expressed their delight, stating: 'We are delighted to announce that we are officially back in production for Escape to the Chateau, Series 10! It's been wonderful welcoming back our Escape filming family - the unsung heroes behind the cameras.'
Reflecting on Past Controversies and Moving Forward
Angel Strawbridge has spoken out about the bullying scandal, defending her actions while acknowledging the fallout. On Elizabeth Day's podcast How To Fail, she admitted: 'I was the one in the wrong for losing my temper, but do you know what, I will not apologise - he was so disrespectful in our house, he was so upsetting to me, my family, and I stand by what I did.' She described the incident as provoked, noting that the producer's behaviour included posting disturbing images and breaking the children's fishing rods.
The couple explained that the new series will focus more on their parenting journey and less on renovations, reflecting their family's evolution. Dick and Angel shared: 'Now, as a family, we've stepped into a new era. With Arthur and Dorothy happily settled into college, Series 10 brings more change and growth than the Chateau has ever seen.' They also teased a potential Christmas special, promising fans an update on their lives.
Fan Reactions and Future Prospects
Fans have responded enthusiastically to the news of the show's return. Comments on social media include praises such as 'Fantastic Family and TV Story' and 'I can't wait for the show to start back up.' The Strawbridges have emphasised their gratitude for ongoing support, stating: 'Thank you for being part of our story - we can't wait to share this next magical chapter with you.'
Despite the past controversies, the couple remains committed to their chateau life and television career. They have been together since 2010, married in 2015, and found fame with Escape to the Chateau from its 2016 debut. With Series 10 on the horizon, they are poised to reconnect with audiences and showcase their family's continued adventures in their forever home.
