The beloved stars of Channel 4’s “Escape to the Chateau,” Dick and Angel Strawbridge, have shared a deeply personal family update that has left their legions of fans reaching for the tissues. The couple, who captured hearts by transforming a derelict French chateau into a family home, revealed the emotional milestone of their daughter Dorothy starting senior school.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the Straw Bridges opened up about the tearful goodbye at the school gates, admitting the moment was harder than they had imagined. They spent the entire day anxiously wondering how she was getting on, a feeling familiar to parents everywhere. The couple’s fears, however, were completely allayed when they collected a beaming Dorothy at the end of the day, a sight that brought fresh tears to their eyes. This poignant snapshot of parenthood resonated powerfully with their followers, many of whom have watched the family grow up on screen.
The milestone marks a significant shift for the entire family. Their son Arthur, now 12 years old, is also preparing to join his sister at the school, signaling the start of a brand new chapter for the Strawbridges.
In their message, Dick and Angel extended love and solidarity to all parents navigating the back-to-school season, encouraging everyone to embrace every fleeting moment. For long-time fans, the update was a powerful echo of the past, vividly recalling Dorothy’s first day at nursery, which was filmed for their hit series years ago.
The emotional response in the comments section was overwhelming, with fans expressing how quickly time has flown since the family first arrived at the chateau. This connection underscores the unique bond the Straw Bridges have fostered by sharing their lives so openly, demonstrating that the universal joys and heartaches of watching children grow up touch everyone, even television personalities.
Their journey from renovating a crumbling estate to raising a family within its walls has been a public, and deeply cherished, fairy tale.
While their iconic show concluded in 2022, Dick and Angel Strawbridge continue to captivate audiences with surprises. They recently made an unannounced appearance on the Kyle and Jackie O show, stunning the hosts with their spontaneous visit. The reaction from presenter Kyle Sanderlands was particularly telling, as he confessed to being so overcome with emotion that he felt like crying.
This moment highlighted the enduring and profound affection the public holds for the couple.
Life beyond the television series continues to unfold in beautiful and unexpected ways for the Straw Bridges. Each update, whether a intimate family moment or a surprise public appearance, feels like a new page in a shared story with their fans.
The transformation of their children, who once played in the chateau’s sprawling gardens, is now the central narrative, proving that the most compelling developments often happen after the cameras stop rolling. For Dick and Angel, the adventure is clearly far from over.


