Dick Strawbridge admits he was ‘fish out of water’ tackling Escape to the Chateau project

Escape to the Chateau: Angel and Dick work on orangery roof

Dick, 61, and Angel, 42, have won over the nation’s hearts after becoming the stars of their own programme, Escape to the Chateau, in 2015. After taking on the deeds to Chateau de la Motte-Husson in the French region of Martigne-sur-Mayenne, the couple invited the Channel 4 film crew to follow their journey from beginning to end. This has sparked a number of other projects, from spin-offs to books but their very first venture made the father-of-four feel like a “fish out of water”.

Moving to the Chateau in France was a huge lifestyle change for the pair, who had been living in a two-bedroom flat in Essex.

When they pursued their venture to buy the 18th-Century establishment, the husband and wife managed to take on the deeds for a price of £280,000.

It has taken them several years to take the property and renovate it into a wedding and holiday venue guests can enjoy.

Their journey continues to entertain viewers up and down the country, with the pair having starred in six series of the programme.

However, although they are now able to settle with their young family, signing on the dotted line was a big commitment.

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Having released a book of their journey from Essex to France, the couple recalled how they brought the property from the original owners.

“For the first time about the Baglionis, who are key – we bought the chateau from them and they’re our neighbours,” Angel explained.

“As a wedding present, they mowed the lawn with their tractors and helped lay the gravel. They’ve always been there for us.”

The mother-of-two went on to add how when they went to visit their neighbours, they met several other Chateau owners who had come from a very different background to theirs.

Escape to the Chateau: Dick and Angel clash over building a pool

We were like fish out of water

Dick Strawbridge

“We were like fish out of water. We’re in a chateau because it’s a dream to live in a castle,” Dick continued.

“That is very different from people who were raised in one. We have to work to pay for it. We need every generation to keep it alive,” the Chateau owner told the Mail Online.

During the lockdown implemented as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the pair decided to offer some advice to their fans on how they could do some DIY on their own homes.

Escape To The Chateau: Make Do And Mend sees both Angel and her husband tackling home renovations which can be done with very little to hand.

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This spin-off only increased the couple’s fan base and now it seems the pair have gained followers from every corner of the globe.

Taking to their Instagram account earlier this month, Dick and Angel shared with their 167,000 fans a picture of the title image for their show with a new premiere date inscribed on it.

They wrote: “News for our American friends. From this Saturday 5th December (8pm) you can see series one of Escape to the Chateau on @hgtv.

“The series has been aired in regional parts of the States, but we know, from frustrated emails, that you want to see the series in a big run.”

“Thank you @hgtv for making this possible! And thank you to everyone across the pond for tuning in – we hope you enjoy the adventure,” they added.

Some of their global followers quickly responded to the post, with one writing: “That is wonderful news, your Escape to the Chateau makes so many people very happy.

“At last! My son is in USA and I’ve been keeping him updated with your adventures and he is so fascinated,” a second remarked.

Some Australian fans were keen to see the show on their airwaves but it seems it might be a little longer before this happens.

Escape To The Chateau: Make Do And Mend airs Thursdays at 8pm on Channel 4.

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