The Strawbridge family are marking a “special day” as they head into a “new era”. Dick and Angel were the stars of Escape to the Chateau, which aired on Channel 4 in 2016 after the couple purchased the small French castle in 2015.
The reality television series followed Dick and Angel and their family as they bought and renovated a 19th-century château in France, while raising two young children and starting a business hosting weddings and other events. It has been an incredibly rewarding period for the family since the renovation process started in series one, as the hard work has paid off and they have transformed the house to their liking.
From being uninhabitable after not being lived in for 40 years, the 45-room property is now a spectacular home. While inviting viewers into their work-in-progress home for nine series, the couple have also celebrated special occasions and family milestones with viewers.
One of the latest milestones celebrated by the family is Dick and Angel’s daughter Dorothy starting her first day of senior school. Dorothy started the new chapter of her life yesterday, September 1.
On the official Strawbridge family Instagram account, the family posted: “Hello to you on this marvellous Monday. It’s a very special day for our family as we head into a new era.
“Dorothy had her first day of senior school. There was of course the normal nerves.. and as we said our goodbyes it hit home…no matter what age…it really does not get any easier!”
The message added: “We (us parents) both had tears in our eyes.. worried all day…but when we picked up our gorgeous young lady, she was smiling from ear to ear!
“Tomorrow…Arthur joins Dorothy for his first day in ‘cinquième’ and a new era truly begins! For everyone having their first day back to school .. have fun and embrace every moment and for the mums and dads.. big love!”
The caption was accompanied by photos of the family together on the first school day, as both Dick and Angel posed alongside their daughter.
Fans who have watched the children grow up over the years, commented on the heartfelt post. One response said: “I remember watching her first day in nursery on the series. Look at her now.”
A second reply said: “Congratulations to all! PS: We need a new series. The joy that your family brought to ours is missed” and a third was “Making us all feel old (and proud).”
Other messages included: “So lovely to see Dorothy and Arthur again. Good luck to both of you” and “Wow, hard to believe. Glad she had a good first day.”
Dick and Angel Strawbridge had their two children, son Arthur in 2013 and daughter Dorothy in 2014, before they got married in 2015. The Channel 4 reality stars bought the magnificent property the children grew up in, for £280,000.
Explaining their decision to wrap up Escape to the Chateau, the couple confided to HELLO! in 2023, saying: “It was two years ago that we decided to end the Escape to the Chateau series.
“We made the decision because the kids are growing older, and all the parallel activity was not sustainable at this level. We are doers and we are never going to stop completely, but we’re also protecting them.
“Arthur is starting senior school and the pressure on our little ones is phenomenal. When he goes there, people may have heard that his parents have done stuff on television.”