Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge grew to become family names when thousands and thousands fell in love with their renovation of a Nineteenth-century property in France‘s Martigné-sur-Mayenne.
However after they have been axed by Channel 4 amid claims of bullying and clashes on set earlier this yr, it was unimaginable to not marvel if it could characterize the demise knell for his or her burgeoning careers.
But the couple are defying expectations and persevering with to flourish as they discover different avenues for fulfillment past their stint on the small display.
Dick, 63, and Angel, 45, established themselves as agency household favourites as viewers lapped up their onscreen chemistry throughout 9 collection of the fact present, which aired between 2016 and 2022.
Not resting on their laurels, the Strawbridges shortly regarded to see how they might construct on – and monetise – the recognition of their time within the limelight.
Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge have an ‘impervious’ model and proceed to go from power to power – regardless of being axed from Channel 4 earlier this yr, a PR knowledgeable claims
The Chateau: Without end House is the Strawbridges’ third launch, which they’re selling on two occasion nights on the Bristol Hippodrome and London Barbican in October
By establishing a model, they’ve been capable of promote a variety of merchandise, together with numerous forms of vibrant, eccentric wallpaper made well-known by their renovation on TV, out there for £33 a roll
The Chateau store additionally sells a bamboo folly mural, which is in the stores for £303
The couple even promote their very own bottles of branded gin, priced on the positioning at £45
By establishing a model, they’ve been capable of promote a variety of merchandise, together with numerous forms of vibrant, eccentric wallpaper made well-known by their renovation on TV, out there for £33 a roll.
The Chateau store additionally sells a bamboo folly mural for £303, quilted throws for £180 and even a bottle of its personal branded gin for £45.
Moreover, their web site advertises a variety of occasions on the chateau, however provides that they are ‘presently unavailable while we play catch up’.
Their success has been such that figures this week revealed they almost doubled their revenue final yr.
Reserves within the firms which channel the couple’s earnings hit £1.44million within the 12 months to the top of September final yr – up from £777,000 the earlier yr.
TShirt Patisserie Restricted, managed by the couple, was the largest winner – rocketing in worth from £270,000 to £688,000, whereas Chateau Tv’s worth went up from £50,000 to £286,000, and Jera Enterprises was boosted by £13,500 to £470,500.
Dick and Angel management the three firms by way of a fourth firm which owns the shares.
Chateau Tv and Jera Enterprises is the couple’s TV manufacturing agency, whereas TShirt Patisserie Restricted channels revenue from ‘retail sale of latest items in specialised shops’.
PR knowledgeable Mark Borkowski instructed MailOnline that their success was no shock and the results of a intelligent technique.
‘The underside line is that this couple have constructed such a unprecedented profile off the again of that programme,’ he stated.
Dick, 63, and Angel, 45 (pictured with kids Arthur and Dorothy), established themselves as agency household favourites as viewers lapped up their onscreen chemistry throughout 9 collection of the fact present, which aired between 2016 and 2022
Extra not too long ago, the couple have introduced a brand new guide launch, the place they’ll look to go head-to-head with Dick’s lookalike son, James (pictured collectively), within the gross sales charts
‘They’re nice communicators and story tellers and that ability by no means leaves you. They’ve a persona and a novel place available in the market, after which it is all about area of interest advertising.
‘Again within the day after we simply had 4 TV channels, they have been gatekeepers as to if you have been good, unhealthy or detached. However now everyone has acquired their very own probability to create one thing.
‘They are going to have a strong staff behind them, however it’s high quality over amount – that may simply be one or two individuals to assist with social media.’
Extra not too long ago, the couple have introduced a brand new guide launch, the place they’ll look to go head-to-head with Dick’s lookalike son, James, within the gross sales charts.
The Chateau: Without end House is the Strawbridges’ third launch, which they’re selling on two occasion nights on the Bristol Hippodrome and London Barbican in October.
Nonetheless, their quest for domination in that discipline may very well be scuppered by their very own flesh and blood: James Strawbridge, who printed Salt and the Artwork of Seasoning simply weeks in the past.
The chef has lengthy been reminded of his likeness to his father and has fronted a BBC programme of his personal – Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge – the place he visits stately properties to cook dinner up a storm for the Lords and Girls of every manor.
To try to entice clients, the couple are providing 20% off their books and DVDs till July 25.
In addition to competing within the guide market, the couple are embarking on a brand new UK-wide tour, which is able to see their younger kids Arthur and Dorothy be part of them as they tread the boards throughout the nation subsequent yr.
In a Facebook publish asserting the 33-date blitz, the pair stated every theatre present may have a ‘click-bait section’ that may permit them to ‘set the document straight!’
Among the many many merchandise on the market on The Chateau web site is a quilted throw, in the stores for £180
The positioning sells a variety of wallpaper, much like the designs seen in the course of the renovation of the chateau on the present
In addition to competing within the guide market, the couple are embarking on a brand new UK-wide tour, which is able to see their younger kids Arthur and Dorothy be part of them as they tread the boards throughout the nation subsequent yr
Their success is probably much more exceptional given the blow they suffered to their TV operations when each Channel 4 and Two Rivers, the manufacturing firm which makes Escape to the Chateau, reduce ties with them.
Current weeks have seen Angel and Dick branded ‘spiky’, ‘unstable’ and ‘a nightmare to work with’ amid their feud with the broadcaster.
Sources near the couple beforehand instructed MailOnline their behaviour on set was nothing like their ‘attractive’ on-screen personas.
Insiders added they could not conceal their ‘actual characters’ to crew members who spent weeks with them filming the favored present in north-west France.
Nonetheless Angel stated that she didn’t recognise the image painted, telling The Every day Telegraph: ‘For those who requested each single individual on our staff, they might all say that Dick is totally chivalrous.
‘He’ll all the time be that individual opening doorways, serving to individuals, and if anybody upsets me, he would be the first individual to take management of the state of affairs. He’s very protecting.’
Mr Borkowski concluded: ‘You need not have the backing of a TV present without end, after getting produced your model you’re impervious – even on this present age of cancelling individuals.
‘As soon as individuals have a sense and belief a model, it would not matter what the headlines are saying.’
