Escape To The Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge are returning to Channel 4, months after being axed over ‘bullying allegations’, which the couple have always denied.
The stars, whose show followed the renovation of their French chateau and the special events business that ran there, were dropped from the broadcaster after Channel 4 ordered an independent investigation into their conduct.
The bullying allegations came to light last year when three of Dick and Angel’s former colleagues claimed toDeadlinethat they clashed with producers, while a further source alleged they were a ‘nightmare to work with.’
In a statement, a spokesperson for the broadcasterconfirmedtoMetro.co.uk at the time: ‘Following a review, we have taken thedecision not to work with Dick and Angelon any new productions in the future.’
However, it’s now been announced that Dick and Angel will be returning to the channel for their new travel series.
Secret France with Dick and Angel will air three episodes on their adventures in France, ‘as they go off the beaten track to explore areas of the country few tourists visit.’
It will see the couple, who married in 2015 at their Chateau, ‘retain the escapism, aspiration, warmth, accessibility and fun inherent to the Chateau franchise’.
They’re also going on a theatre tour around the UK, with Dick and Angel saying: ‘Touring with our family has been such a joy, and we can’t wait to return to the UK to share our adventures, challenges, and the successes of building and living our Chateau dream.
‘Only so much of our story can be told on the telly, and as life at the Chateau continues to evolve, we will share what it takes to build a forever home.’
The new three-part series, which will air in June, is said to be the last time the couple will star on Channel 4, as reports claim bosses are firm on their ban.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Dick and Angel had filmed this series before the damming recording of Angel was leaked last year.
‘Despite cutting ties with the Strawbridges, it was always the intention that execs would broadcast the show at a later date.
‘Channel 4 have pulled back on publicising the series and haven’t changed their position on working with Dick and Angel in the future after their internal review was completed.’
In 2021, sources from Escape To The Chateau’s former production company, Spark Media, claimed toThe TimesDick and Angel were ‘abusive and bullying’ and had made filming an ‘anxiety-inducing ordeal.’
The couple denied the allegations of aggressive and bullying behaviour to the publication at the time.
Then last year, Deadline obtained audio, heard byMetro.co.uk, in which it is claimed Angel can be heardcalling a producer a ‘f***ing c**t’and describing how ‘f***ing angry’ she was, after allegations that a clash had occurredbetween the television stars and producers on the programme.
After Channel 4 concluded an independent investigation into their conduct, announcing their decision to not work with Dick and Angel on any new productions in the future, production company Two Rivers also said: ‘We can confirm that we will no longer work with Dick and Angel and cannot comment further at the moment.’
Following the allegations, the couple posted on their Instagram that ‘there are two sides to every story’, and claimed ‘it was a Strawbridge family decision early last year’ to conclude the show.
They wrote: ‘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.’
It was later reported that Dick and Angelclosed down a companythat bears the chateau’s name.
Escape To The Chateau premiered in 2016 and drew to a close after nine seasons, with the final episode being released in December.
Metro.co.uk has approached Channel 4 for comment.
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Secret France with Dick and Angel will air on Sunday, June 2, on Channel 4 at 8pm.
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