25 October 2023 , 07:15
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As the faces of Escape to the Chateau, Dick and Angel Strawbridge have long been viewed as the very picture of wholesomeness, raising their two children in the truly dreamy Château de la Motte-Husson in Martigné-sur-Mayenne, France. From the outside, their lives appear to be an enviable whirlwind of ambitious renovation projects and luxury weddings, but there are some who say there's a dark side to the couple that couldn't be more different from the likeable image they uphold.
The first episode of Escape to the Chateau aired in 2016, with Channel 4 dropping the show in December 2022 after rumours emerged of "a deteriorating relationship between [production company]Two Rivers and Dick and Angel's Chateau TV for various reasons".
Foul-mouthed rant
In May 2023, Deadline reported Channel 4 has severed ties with Dick and Angel after Two Rivers Media, the production company that produces the popular franchise raised concerns about them, prompting an investigation by an independent HR professional. A source told the publication: "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."
A Channel 4 spokesperson stated at the time: "Following a review, we have taken the decision not to work with Dick and Angel on any new productions in the future." In 2021 audio obtained by Deadline, a woman alleged to be Angel can be heard unleashing fury on a producer, referring to them as a "f****d up little c**t".
At one point in the clip, the woman can be heard raging: "Who is that inspired by when you're f*****g working at the chateau? Just tell me that and then you can f*****g leave and this is me f*****g angry because I think you're a f****d up little c**t." Although the couple initially declined to comment on the matter, they later released an Instagram statement stating that there are "two sides to every story".
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The post reads as follows: "We know there are lots of stories in the press right now. It's not worth us even trying to comment or give context, because anything can be made into a good headline. We understand. There are two sides to every story and from the incredible support we have received, most of you know that.
[...] "We are proud of who we are, and we feel we must do what we believe to be correct, that is in fact what kept Escape to the Chateau unique, and whilst we have indeed parted ways with Channel 4, we are hugely grateful to them and their teams for their support and creativity over the years. The future truly could not look more exciting and we thank you for your continued love and support. Dick & Angel Xxx."
A source has previously claimed that the couple are much more 'spiky and volatile' than they appear (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Bullying accusations
Sources close to the Strawbridges told MailOnline that the couple had "spiky and volatile" personalities behind the scenes, a far cry from their "gorgeous" onscreen personas. The source claimed: "Dick and Angel come across on screen as the most gorgeous and lovely couple, literally like butter wouldn't melt, but they're not like that offscreen.
"It's a full-on show, production is with them at the chateau for weeks so they can't hide their real characters - they can't turn it on for two hours of recording and then not go back to their real persona. They're just spiky and volatile people and, as you can imagine, that's a nightmare to work with."
The Mirror has previously reached out to Dick and Angel's representatives for comment.