Channel 4 cuts ties with Escape To The Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge following an investigation ‘into their conduct’
Channel 4 has cut ties with Escape To The Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge following an independent investigation reportedly into their conduct.
The TV channel has confirmed that they will no longer work with Dick, 63, and Angel, 45, on any new productions ‘following a review’.
Sources claimed Two Rivers Media, the company that produces Escape To The Chateau, raised concerns about the presenting duo, according to Deadline.
The exact nature of the allegations is not known, but the publication reported that three of their former colleagues alleged the couple have clashed with producers.
A source told them: ‘There has been a deteriorating relationship between Two Rivers and Dick and Angel’s Chateau TV for various reasons and it all came to a head.’
Dropped: Channel 4 has cut ties with Escape To The Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge following an independent investigation reportedly into their conduct
‘People who try to remote manage them from the UK, that doesn’t work, or people who come into their house and boss them around, that doesn’t work either,’ the source added.
‘Producers turn them into this perfect, brilliant, funny couple, they’re that on camera, but that’s about it.’
A Channel 4 spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘Following a review, we have taken the decision not to work with Dick and Angel on any new productions in the future.’
While Two Rivers added: ‘We can confirm that we will no longer work with Dick and Angel and cannot comment further at the moment.’
Escape To The Chateau aired its ninth and final series in late 2022, but spin-off travel show Escape To The Chateau: Secret France was already in the works.
The programme has reportedly wrapped and is currently being edited, but Channel 4 has not yet confirmed whether it will be broadcast.
Sharing a sneak-peek of filming for the spin-off in January, former engineer Dick and designer Angel wrote on Instagram: ‘We are busy filming our new series for Channel 4.
‘Escape to the Chateau: Secret France will be on your screens later this year – we can’t wait to share our discoveries with you!’
Ending: The TV channel has confirmed that they will no longer work with Dick, 63, and Angel, 45, on any new productions ‘following a review’
Concerns: Sources claimed Two Rivers Media, the company that produces Escape To The Chateau, raised concerns about the presenting duo, according to reports
MailOnline has contacted Dick and Angel’s representatives for further comment.
Escape to the Chateau became one of the channel’s biggest hits when it started airing in 2016, with many tuning in to see Dick’s handiwork and Angel’s creativity when transforming their home.
The couple bought the run-down 45-room chateau for just £280,000 in 2015, with Channel 4 launching a popular series following the transformation in 2016.
Dick and Angel previously worked with Spark Media Partners, which launched Escape To The Chateau back in 2016 and produced its first four series.
However, back in 2021, it was reported that sources close to Spark Media had accused Dick and Angel of bullying.
Dick was accused of pushing one crew member around a room, and threatening to throw another ‘out the f*****g window’ while brandishing a hammer. Both were also said to have sworn at TV staff.
Meanwhile, the show apparently haemorrhaged producer directors (PDs) during the first four series, as it was claimed three out of six left prematurely following rows.
Dick and Angel categorically denied the accusations at the time. In testimony via their representative at the time, the couple emphasised the warm atmosphere among the team, but also their long-held, high professional standards, which they say has helped bring their chateau fantasy to successful fruition.
Their representative said production members associated with the couple over many years found ‘working with our clients at the chateau is a lovely experience’.
They also made accusations of their own of outrageous behaviour among the Spark’s production team.
At the time, Channel 4 denied all knowledge of the row: ‘Channel 4 does not tolerate bullying or abusive behaviour in any of its productions.’
Escape To The Chateau was coined in 2014 after an executive at Spark Media heard that Angel and Dick were leaving their two-bedroom flat in Southend, Essex, for a new life in France.
Future? Escape To The Chateau aired its final series in late 2022, but spin-off show Escape To The Chateau: Secret France was in the works. It is not known if the show will be broadcast
Hit show: Their show Escape to the Chateau became one of the channel’s biggest hits when it started airing in 2016
After searching for the chateau for four years, the pair bought the sprawling 19th century building in 2015 after swapping their two-bed home in east London.
The villa is called Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson and it is in the picturesque Loire region of North West France around 200 miles from Paris.
The series was full of arguments and tiffs over stressful renovations, precious moments with their children Arthur, nine, and Dorothy, eight and creating happy memories with newlyweds.
The chateau has since been valued at £2million but the couple have also cashed in through TV rights from Channel 4 for the series.
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