Where did it all go wrong for Dick and Angel?

Amid their career-destroying scandal, Dick and Angel Strawbridge have filed for closure of their chateau business, Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson Limited.

But what went SO wrong for the once-loved couple, who have graced the Channel 4 screens in Escape To The Chateau since 2016?

Last month, Channel 4 confirmed it was no longer working with Dick and Angel following an independent investigation into their behaviour.

Sources claimed that Two Rivers Media, the company that produces Escape To The Chateau, has raised concerns about Dick, 63, and Angel, 45, and that they will not be working on any new productions ‘following a review’.

Since the split, it can be revealed that their company, founded in 2017, has been proposed for a ‘voluntary delisting’ from the register at Companies House.

The application was signed on May 9 by both directors, Dick and Angel, real name Angela. The strike was first announced in the Government Gazette on May 23 and the company will be dissolved within two months of that date.

The latest news comes two years after the popular couple first dismissed allegations of bullying, which they vehemently denied at the time.

So what happened to the Strawbridges and how did it go wrong?

What has become of the company?

The application was signed by both directors on 9 May. The strike was first announced in the Government Gazette on May 23 and the company will be dissolved within two months of that date.

The latest accounts, submitted in June 2022 for the period to September 2021, show net debt of £19,230.

Meanwhile, change is also underway at Chateau Television Limited. Dick and Angel discontinued the company, which was founded in 2020, and appointed Da2AD limited, which is run by an accountant.

That entity is now a shareholder, according to documents at Companies House showing that Dick and Angel no longer have “control” of the company.

What made Channel 4 cut ties with the popular duo?

The exact nature of the allegations is unknown, however deadline reported that three of their former colleagues claimed the pair had clashed with producers.

A source told the site, “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.”

Were there any other signs of conflict?

In 2021, it was reported that sources close to Spark Media had accused Dick and Angel of bullying.

Dick was accused of shoving one crew member across a room and threatening to throw another ‘out the f*****g window’ while brandishing a hammer. Both are also said to have sworn at TV staff.

Meanwhile, the show apparently bled producer directors (PDs) during its first four series, as three of the six subsequent rows were alleged to leave prematurely.

Dick and Angel categorically denied the allegations at the time.

As a testimonial through their then-representative, the pair highlighted the warm atmosphere within the team, as well as their long-held, high professional standards, which they believe contributed to the successful realization of their castle fantasy.

Their rep said production members who have been associated with the couple for many years “find working with our clients at the chateau as a delightful experience.”

They also made their own allegations of excessive behavior among the Spark’s production team.

At the time, Channel 4 denied any knowledge of the row: “Channel 4 will not tolerate bullying or abusive behavior in any of its productions.”

Dick told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘It’s not even worth investigating. We don’t talk about it because it’s not worth worrying about.’

He points out that they have a very low turnover of staff, most of whom have stayed for years and were so annoyed by the gossip that “they all said they wanted to sell their happy story, so to speak, to get the truth across.” ‘.

‘I would say we are loving and open – what you see is what you get. If you come into our house – and it’s our house, not TV – and maybe you treat us a certain way, we can give back,” Angel added firmly.

“So many people come over, and we’re always into selfies and things like that. There is a line, and if you cross it… end.’

Will they return to screens in the light of things?

The ninth and final series aired in late 2022, but was a spin-off travel program Escape To The Chateau: Secret France was already in progress.

The program is reportedly wrapped up and is currently being edited, but Channel 4 has not yet confirmed whether it will air.

Former engineer Dick and designer Angel shared a preview of filming for the spin-off back in January, previously writing on Instagram: “We are filming our new series for Channel 4.

“Escape to the Chateau: Secret France is coming to your screens later this year – we can’t wait to share our discoveries with you!”

In 2021, the couple was asked if they ever thought of simply disappearing from public view and never doing another run of the show? “We consider it every year,” Dick said. “It’s always a choice.”

What is the show about?

Escape To The Chateau became one of the channel’s biggest hits when it aired in 2016, with many tuning in to see Dick’s handiwork and Angel’s creativity in transforming their home.

The pair bought the dilapidated 45-room castle in 2015 for just £280,000, and Channel 4 launched a popular series following the transformation in 2016.

The villa is called Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson and is located in the picturesque Loire region of north-western France, about 320 km from Paris.

Dick and Angel previously worked with Spark Media Partners, which launched Escape To The Chateau in 2016 and produced the first four series.

The series was full of fights and arguments about stressful renovations, precious moments with their children Arthur, nine, and Dorothy, eight, and creating happy memories with newlyweds.

The castle has since been valued at £2 million, but the couple have also made money through Channel 4 TV rights to the series.

How long has the couple been together?

Dick and Angel had two children before getting married in 2015.

Almost immediately, the couple decided to uproot their young family for a new adventure in France.

Dick has a daughter named Charlotte, 35, from his first marriage to environmentalist Brigit Weiner – the couple married in 1982 and divorced in 2010 after 28 years.

They also have a son – James, 37 – a chef who has appeared on Escape to the Chateau.

Dick, a former lieutenant colonel and engineer, met his second wife Angel, 43, in 2010 at a mutual friend’s 40th birthday party.

What are Dick and Angel arguing about?

In 2021, the couple spoke to the Daily Mail about life during the pandemic and homeschooling. Angel said: “I’m too much of a rebel.”

Angel joked about joining her kids in Dick’s homeschooling class, saying: “Let’s hope we never have to do that again, because I thought Dad’s school was too strict.”

And talking about their career projects, such as a book they created called Living The Chateau Dream, they were asked if they had spectacular rows.

‘No! This is the fun,’ Angel said.

‘We must have disagreements…’ Dick interjected, ‘…and then Angel goes to get an e-mail that proves she was right!’

“Yes,” Angel laughs, “there’s no limit to what I’ll do to prove I’m right about something.”